Pregnancy is one of the most important times of a woman's life. A healthy lifestyle becomes even more significant to an expecting mother, since it can affect the health of her unborn baby as well as herself. The earlier in a pregnancy that a woman begins to take good care of herself and her child, the greater the likelihood is of delivering a healthy baby at the end of her term.

There are some symptoms that a woman may experience early in her pregnancy to clue her in to the fact that she is expecting before the stick turns pink. Some women will begin to feel the effects of a pregnancy as early as a week or two after conception. Others might get through the entire first trimester without feeling many of the body changes that are happening. Some women don't feel symptoms early in pregnancy because they simply don't know what to look for.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Of course the first symptom that will tell a woman that she might be pregnant is the absence of her menstrual cycle. Even if you experience some bleeding early in a pregnancy, it is generally lighter and shorter than a normal period. This type of spotting is generally attributed to implantation bleeding, and takes place approximately six to twelve days after conception. It occurs when the embryo implants into the uterine wall. Often if a woman of childbearing age misses a period, a pregnancy test is the first diagnostic test that is done.

Another early pregnancy symptom that many expectant mothers experience is tender or swollen breasts. This can be felt as early as a week after conception, and is due to the hormone fluctuations that pregnancy causes. For many women, particularly those who have been pregnant before, this may be the first indication that you could be pregnant. You might also notice a darkening of the areolas, or the skin around your nipples.

Fatigue and nausea are both common complaints during early pregnancy. Nausea, or morning sickness, can include an acute sensitivity to smells and an aversion to certain foods that you might normally enjoy. Don't let the term morning sickness fool you, either. Nausea can occur at any time of day or night! Fortunately, it does not affect every woman. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you have missed a menstrual cycle, it is important to confirm a possible pregnancy with your doctor. The earlier pregnancy is detected, the greater chance you have of carrying and delivering a healthy baby.