Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

If you have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period.

In the first few weeks of pregnancy you may have a bleed similar to a very light period, with some spotting or only losing a little blood. This is called implantation bleeding.

You may feel sick or be sick. Although commonly known as "morning sickness", vomiting and morning sickness can happen at any time of the day or night.

Symptoms usually start when you’re around 4 to 6 weeks pregnant.

If you're being sick all the time and cannot keep anything down, see a GP.

You may have hyperemesis gravidarum, a serious condition in pregnancy that causes severe vomiting and needs treatment.

It's common to feel tired, or even exhausted, during pregnancy, especially during the first 12 weeks or so.

Hormonal changes in your body at this time can make you feel tired, sick, emotional and upset.

Your breasts may become larger and feel tender, just as they might do before your period. They may also tingle.

The veins may be more visible, and the nipples may darken and stand out.

You may feel the need to pee more often than usual, including during the night.

Other signs of pregnancy you may notice are:

• constipation
• more vaginal discharge (without any soreness or irritation)

During early pregnancy, you may find you no longer like some foods or drinks you used to enjoy.

You might notice:

• a strange taste in your mouth, which some describe as metallic
• you crave new foods
• you lose interest in certain foods or drinks you used to enjoy, such as tea, coffee or fatty food
• you lose interest in smoking
• you're more sensitive to certain smells, for example the smell of food or cooking