Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy; however, one of the most significant pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed menstrual cycle. Understanding the signs and symptoms of pregnancy is important because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy. Some women experience signs or symptoms of pregnancy within a week of conception. For other women, pregnancy symptoms may develop over a few weeks or may not be present at all. Below is a listing of some of the most common pregnancy signs symptoms. If you have been sexually active and experiencing any of the following symptoms it is important to take a pregnancy test.Find a Free Testing Center or call 1-866-942-6466
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Implantation Bleeding:
Implantation bleeding can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping.
Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.
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Delay/Difference in Menstruation:
A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.
Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.
Swollen/Tender Breasts:
Swollen or tender breasts is a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to the touch, sore, or swollen.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.
Fatigue/Tiredness:
Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.
Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.
Nausea/Morning Sickness:
This well-known pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all, while others will feel nauseous throughout most of their pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.
Backaches:
Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.
Headaches:
The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.
Frequent Urination:
Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom.
Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.
Darkening of Areolas:
If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.
Food Cravings:
While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation.
How Do I Know if I'm Pregnant?The first indication that a woman might be pregnant is often a missed menstrual period. Home pregnancy test kits are available in most drug stores and many supermarkets and can help determine if you are pregnant. Sometimes, however, these tests might not be able to detect pregnancy if performed on the first day of a missed period.
An article in the October 10, 2001, issue of JAMA discusses the use of pregnancy testing in the first week after a missed period.
How Home Pregnancy Tests Work?
Home pregnancy test kits involve placing urine on a prepared chemical strip. It usually takes one or two minutes for the strip to show the result. The strip tests for a hormone that is produced during pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The test will only be positive (indicating you are pregnant) if you have enough hCG in your system when you do the testing. Depending on your menstrual cycle and how early you are in your pregnancy, a home test kit can show a negative result (indicating you are not pregnant) even though you may actually be pregnant.
Home pregnancy test kits involve placing urine on a prepared chemical strip. It usually takes one or two minutes for the strip to show the result. The strip tests for a hormone that is produced during pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The test will only be positive (indicating you are pregnant) if you have enough hCG in your system when you do the testing. Depending on your menstrual cycle and how early you are in your pregnancy, a home test kit can show a negative result (indicating you are not pregnant) even though you may actually be pregnant.
How To Be Sure? 
If you are late for your period and are using a home pregnancy test kit, wait seven to 10 days before trying the test. Many test kits recommend testing "as early as the first day of the missed period," but testing early may lead to an inaccurate result.
If you tested yourself seven to 10 days after the first missed period and your result was negative, wait a few more days; if your period does not start, try the test again.
Your doctor can perform a simple blood test by drawing blood from your arm and testing the levels of hCG in your blood to see if you are pregnant. Such blood tests are more accurate because they can detect lower levels of hCG than home pregnancy test kits.
If your home pregnancy test results are positive, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor right away. He or she may perform tests to verify your pregnancy and begin your prenatal care.
Possible Causes of a Missed Period
Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period.
Birth control pills — some women who use this form of contraception may not have periods. When you stop taking birth control pills, it can also lead to three to six months of missed or abnormal periods.
Breastfeeding can cause missed periods, but you may still get pregnant without periods when you are breastfeeding.
Certain medications can cause changes in your menstrual cycle. Check with your physician about changes if you are taking a new medication.
Some illnesses can postpone your period; it will usually resume its normal cycle when you are healthy.
Malnutrition and low body weight (possible results of poor eating habits) can cause disruptions in your cycle.
Excessive exercise can disrupt the production of hormones in your body and stop menstruation.
As menopause approaches, periods become irregular and eventually stop.
See your doctor to evaluate changes in your menstrual cycle.
If you are late for your period and are using a home pregnancy test kit, wait seven to 10 days before trying the test. Many test kits recommend testing "as early as the first day of the missed period," but testing early may lead to an inaccurate result.
If you tested yourself seven to 10 days after the first missed period and your result was negative, wait a few more days; if your period does not start, try the test again.
Your doctor can perform a simple blood test by drawing blood from your arm and testing the levels of hCG in your blood to see if you are pregnant. Such blood tests are more accurate because they can detect lower levels of hCG than home pregnancy test kits.
If your home pregnancy test results are positive, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor right away. He or she may perform tests to verify your pregnancy and begin your prenatal care.
Possible Causes of a Missed Period
Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period.
Birth control pills — some women who use this form of contraception may not have periods. When you stop taking birth control pills, it can also lead to three to six months of missed or abnormal periods.
Breastfeeding can cause missed periods, but you may still get pregnant without periods when you are breastfeeding.
Certain medications can cause changes in your menstrual cycle. Check with your physician about changes if you are taking a new medication.
Some illnesses can postpone your period; it will usually resume its normal cycle when you are healthy.
Malnutrition and low body weight (possible results of poor eating habits) can cause disruptions in your cycle.
Excessive exercise can disrupt the production of hormones in your body and stop menstruation.
As menopause approaches, periods become irregular and eventually stop.
See your doctor to evaluate changes in your menstrual cycle.