For a woman trying to get pregnant, knowing the very earliest signs of pregnancy can be invaluable. Trying to conceive is both a very exciting and very frustrating time. It can often take women many months to finally get the good news, so knowing as early as possible can be the start of an exciting adventure.

It's important to know that every woman and every pregnancy is different. While there are often a few things in common, such as missed periods or morning sickness, these aren't the rule. So just because you don't experience them doesn't mean you aren't pregnant and vice versa.

Following fertilization the female body makes some drastic changes in a very short period of time. Hormone levels increase ten-fold and the body kicks into high gear. The earliest symptoms will not often manifest until one to two weeks after a missed period; thanks to modern medicine though, women don't have to wait that long. Some of the tests on the market can detect pregnancy as early as seven days before the missed period.

Some of the earliest symptoms include implantation bleeding eight to ten days after ovulations, and elevated basal body temperature for 18 days, and the missed menstrual period. The first fetal movements don't often occur until 16 weeks after conception.

Some other early symptoms that occur in the first trimester, or weeks one to twelve post-conception, are abdominal cramps, food cravings, nausea, tender or swollen breasts, dark nipples or larger areolas, frequent urination, fatigue, heartburn, headaches, constipation, and mood swings. While some of these symptoms alone may prove to be nothing more than what they are, a few of them together for any extended time can be an indication of pregnancy.

There is also the urban myth of food cravings in pregnant women. While it is true that food cravings can occur, they aren't often as bizarre as some may think; pickles and ice cream at 3am isn't a popular occurrence. In fact, many women find just the opposite true; repulsion for foods they once ate or certain smells that never bothered them pre-pregnancy.

For the woman hoping to conceive, it's important that she pay close attention to her body and her health. Avoiding drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes is essential, and exercise and healthful eating are recommended. A woman should also consult with her doctor if she is trying to get pregnant, or should take a pregnancy test if she's missed a period.