Signs you might be pregnant

Maybe you have taken a test and found out you are pregnant already.

Or perhaps you just have a hunch?

Either way, here is your step by step guide to the early signs that you might be pregnant.

Spotting pregnancy

Could I be pregnant?

This is one of the first questions you might ask if your period does not come as expected.

For many women, a late period or a pregnancy period that is different from normal, is often the first moment of realisation that pregnancy is a possibility.

Of course, this can mean that many people find out for sure once they are already a few weeks pregnant.

If a test confirms that you are pregnant, but you are still experiencing bleeding, it is best to get it checked out. It can often be totally normal, but it can also be a sign of miscarriage.¹

How pregnancy is calculated

Pregnancy is calculated as nine months plus seven days, starting from the first day of your last period, not from the date of conception.²

Whether you are actively trying to get pregnant or not, a period tracking app or ovulation app can be a helpful way of keeping track of this information.

This means that if you have discovered you are pregnant because your period didn’t come, you may already be at least four weeks pregnant!

Pregnancy trimesters

Some more jargon that you will want to know is that pregnancy is broken down into three phases, also known as trimesters.³

First trimester

This refers to weeks 1 - 12. 

Second trimester

This refers to weeks 13 - 28. 

Third trimester

This refers to weeks 28 until birth.

The first signs of pregnancy

Once you have taken a test to find out, the next question might be, what are the early signs of pregnancy?

As well as an absence of menstruation, there are many other physical clues that you might be pregnant⁴:

• Nausea and vomiting, also known as ‘morning sickness’
• Painful breasts
• Fatigue
• Changes in urination and/or vaginal discharge
• Cravings and changes in what you want to eat

The urge to urinate more often

If you find yourself desperate for the toilet more often at any time of day, it could be a clue that you’re pregnant.

Pregnancy nausea

Around 4-6 weeks after your last period, you might start experiencing nausea and also vomiting.

This is commonly known as ‘morning sickness’, which is a complete misnomer as it can occur any time, night or day!

For most people, actually being sick every now and again should not cause too much of a worry: the baby will still be getting all the nutrients they need, as long as you can keep some food down.

But staying hydrated is super important if you are throwing up.

Many people find morning sickness goes away as they enter into the second trimester (week 12), and most people find it stops by week 20.

A small percentage of expectant people might experience severe vomiting, which means they cannot get enough nutrition for themselves or the baby.

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum, this requires medical treatment.

Painful breasts

As your body becomes flooded with new hormones, one of the key changes you are likely to experience is aching or even painful breasts.

Although the possibility of a baby is months away, your breasts are likely to get bigger and might even change shape and appearance, with veins and nipples becoming more prominent.

Pregnancy fatigue

Tiredness is another early sign of pregnancy.

For many women, it is more like an overwhelming exhaustion that means you might fall asleep almost instantaneously!

Fatigue can cause other symptoms, such as mood changes (especially low mood) and feeling under the weather or run down.⁵

It is a good indication from your body that you are going to need to slow down for the next nine months!

Pregnancy discharge

As the hormones flood in and the uterus grows and changes to prepare to carry a baby, it is normal to experience changes ‘down there’.

These include changes in discharge, frequent urination and constipation when it comes to bowel movements.

In terms of discharge, as long as it is white, thin and/or clear with no smell, it is normal.

For anything other than this, it is worth seeing a healthcare professional.⁶

Strange cravings and different tastes

If your favourite chocolate bar doesn’t seem appealing anymore, you could be pregnant.

In the early stages, many women lose interest in food they used to love and due to a heightened sense of taste and smell, may even find them disgusting.

If you’re still unsure, take a pregnancy test to find out for certain. Try another test in a week if you’re still having symptoms after a negative result.

The importance of taking folic acid

If you have found out you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, it is important you start taking a folic acid supplement.⁷  Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.

You might like to check out Holland & Barrett’s range of folic acid supplements.

You might also be interested in our Health Hub articles, ‘What happens in the early days of pregnancy?’ and ‘Folic acid for pregnancy

Last updated: 11 March 2021