How long does it take to start getting pregnancy symptoms

You received a positive pregnancy test, and now you're waiting for the telltale signs you're expecting. So when do you start having pregnancy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, and fatigue?

As it turns out, every person is different, says Marra Francis, M.D., an OB-GYN in Woodlands, Texas, and an author of the Mommy MD Guides. Some never experience the typical early signs of pregnancy, while others feel immediate changes in their body. And you can't use previous pregnancies as a guide either; symptoms might appear at different points in every gestation, adds Dr. Francis.

To give you a basic guideline, we rounded up nine common early pregnancy symptoms and their typical start time. Remember to take this estimated schedule with a grain of salt, though, and ask your doctor about any concerns.

Breast Tenderness

Thanks to an increase in estrogen and progesterone, your breasts may feel sore, sensitive, and tender in early pregnancy. This symptom usually starts about one or two weeks after conception—even before you miss your period!

Spotting and Cramping

Some people experience twinging cramps when the fertilized egg implants into the lining of the uterus. You might also notice light pink or brown spotting that lasts a day or so. These signs of implantation appear six to 12 days after conception, and many people mistake them for PMS.

Fatigue

Rising levels of the hormone progesterone, as well as your body's effort to support the pregnancy, may result in fatigue. Loss of energy appears as early as one week after conception. It often goes away in the second trimester but rears its head again as you approach delivery.

Mood Swings

Fatigue might partially contribute to another annoying pregnancy symptom: mood swings that start around week five. Unfortunately for many expectant parents, unstable emotions usually last through the first trimester.

Bloating

Do your pants feel tighter than normal? Blame pregnancy hormones for this abdominal bloating, which often appears soon after conception. Early pregnancy bloating often reminds people of PMS.

Morning Sickness

Up to 85% of pregnant people deal with the nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness. Food aversions and heightened sense of smell may exacerbate symptoms, but eating small meals and other home remedies can help. Morning sickness starts between six and eight weeks into pregnancy. It peaks around week eight or nine, and it usually disappears by week 16.

Frequent Urination

Around four to six weeks after conception, some people feel a strong, frequent urge to urinate. Blame the pregnancy hormone hCG, your growing uterus, and extra blood flow. This symptom often reappears in the third trimester when your baby presses on your uterus.

Headaches

Increased blood volume might cause crippling tension headaches during pregnancy. Staying hydrated can keep this head-pounding symptom at bay.

Constipation

Pregnancy hormones slow down your digestive tract, triggering constipation around the second to third month of gestation. Control constipation by staying hydrated, incorporating fiber into your diet, and exercising regularly.

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy; however, one of the most significant signs of pregnancy is a missed period. The surest way to know you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

What are the Most Common Early Signs of Pregnancy?

• Missed period. If you’re in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have an irregular menstrual cycle.
• Tender, swollen breasts. Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your breasts sensitive and sore. The discomfort will likely decrease after a few weeks as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.
• Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night, often begins one month after you become pregnant. However, some women feel nausea earlier and some never experience it. While the cause of nausea during pregnancy isn’t clear, pregnancy hormones likely play a role.
• Increased urination. You might find yourself urinating more often than usual. The amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process extra fluid that ends up in your bladder.
• Fatigue. Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar — which might make you feel sleepy.

When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

You may experience pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception. Some women report that they did not experience any symptoms for a few weeks. Click here if you need a free test or ultrasound.

Other pregnancy signs and symptoms during the first trimester may include:

• Mood Swings. Expecting mothers frequently experience mood swings. This is primarily caused by the hormonal changes that affect the neurotransmitters of the brain. Some may experience elevated highs and lows, and others alternate between states of happiness and depression or anxiety. Mood swings are normal; but, if you’re struggling with depression or extended periods of sadness, please contact your healthcare provider. Some women prefer to go directly to a counselor or mental health professional.
• Backaches. Lower backaches are common. It can occur with the onset of pregnancy, but it’s usually experienced later as the pregnancy progresses, around pregnancy week 27 to week 34.
• Headaches.  Experts believe the sudden rise of hormones and/or blood flow in your body leads can cause headaches. There is an approximate 50% increase in the volume of blood flowing during your pregnancy.
• Food cravings or food aversions.  The food expecting women crave or seek to avoid varies and is quite sporadic. It is alright to allow yourself the freedom to pursue those cravings and avoid the things you don’t want as long as you are getting the nutrition you need for a healthy pregnancy. These cravings or aversions can occur early in pregnancy or anytime throughout your pregnancy.
• Darkening of the Areolas. It’s normal if the areolas, area around your nipples will darken.
• Bloating. Hormonal changes during early pregnancy can cause you to feel bloated, similar to how you might feel at the start of a menstrual period.
• Light spotting. Sometimes a small amount of light spotting is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Known as implantation bleeding, it happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus — about 10 to 14 days after conception. Implantation bleeding occurs around the time of a menstrual period. However, not all women have it.

What Else Could It Be?

A missed or delayed period, the most commonly reported first sign of pregnancy, could be caused by:

• Pending menstruation
• Excessive weight gain or loss
• Fatigue or exhaustion
• New workout regimen
• Hormonal imbalance
• Tension or stress
• Change in birth control usage
• Various illnesses
• Breastfeeding

Nausea or morning sickness, the second most frequently cited symptom of pregnancy, might be explained by:

• Food poisoning
• Tension or stress
• Anxiety
• Change in hormonal birth control
• Other stomach ailments

Tender or changing breasts, the third most noted pregnancy symptom, might be triggered by:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Change in hormonal birth control
• Impending menstruation

Fatigue or tiredness can be brought on by:

• Tension or stress
• Exhaustion from working too hard
• Depression or other mental health struggles
• Common cold or flu
• New workout regimen
• Allergies or other ailments
• Lack of sleep
• Improper nutrition
• Pending menstruation

What Do I Do Next?

If you would like to speak to someone about your pregnancy symptoms or the possibility of being pregnant, click the chat button below or call us toll free at 1-800-672-2296.

• If you need a free pregnancy test or ultrasound you can use your zip code to find a free pregnancy testing center.
• If you are trying to get pregnant and need help, check out our new e-book, The Ultimate Fertility Resource Guide.
• Questions about paternity? Call for free paternity info at 1-800-798-0580.

Want to Know More?

• 7 Discomforts of Pregnancy
• Morning Sickness Relief

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