Think your body is giving you clues that you’ve conceived? Whilst in the early days you are unlikely to be certain without a pregnancy test, there are a number of pregnancy symptoms that can indicate that a new addition to your family is on its way!

A missed period – possible reasons

One of the most obvious signs that you might be expecting a baby is that you miss a period. Of course, a missed period can be down to other things, such as stress or sudden weight loss. That said, if you are usually regular as clockwork with your time of month and you are otherwise happy and healthy, there is a good likelihood that your missed period means you are pregnant.

Spotting in early pregnancy

When it comes to trying to conceive, sometimes a bit of blood is a good sign, particularly if your period is not yet due but you experience some light spotting. That is because when the embryo implants in the uterus, some women will experience ‘implantation bleeding’. Usually, this will look pink in colour, although on rare occasions it can be red.

Sensitivity to smells as a very early pregnancy symptom

If you suddenly find that common smells are overly strong or even repulsive then this could be a sign that you have conceived. In fact, for some women, a heightened sense of smell is one of the first pregnancy symptoms they experience.

Nausea and vomiting

Usually known as morning sickness, though it can strike at any time of day, pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can affect you fairly soon after becoming pregnant. Although it might be unpleasant, it won’t put your baby at risk and symptoms should ease later into your pregnancy.

Whilst you might not experience morning sickness at all when pregnant, it is quite common. In fact, according to the NHS, around 50% of pregnant women experience vomiting, and over 80% feel nauseous in the first 12 weeks.

Tender, sensitive and swollen breasts in pregnancy

One of the pregnancy symptoms that may actually become more pronounced as your pregnancy progresses is sore, sensitive and swollen breasts. Again, this will affect some women more than others, with some mums noticing this sign only a few days after falling pregnant.

Areola changes and darkening

Another change to your breasts that can indicate that you are pregnant is changes to the circles around your nipples, called areolas. During pregnancy, the areolas often become larger and darker in colour.

Montgomery’s Tubercles

You may also notice that the tiny bumps on them increase in size and number. Called Montgomery’s tubercles, these little bumps are actually sebaceous glands that produce oily secretions to keep the breast lubricated during breastfeeding.

Frequent need to pee

One of the more frustrating pregnancy symptoms is a sudden need to go to the toilet all of the time. This is because once you have conceived, hormones increase your urine flow and your kidneys becoming more efficient. As your baby grows, your growing uterus will also put pressure on your bladder, leaving less room to store urine.

Bloating can be a sign of pregnancy

Feeling ‘swell’, but not in a good way? Your hormones can lead to bloating very soon after you conceive. Of course, if you typically experience pre-period bloating, you might not be able to tell if a baby is the cause. But if it’s a few weeks before your period then the bloating might be a strong sign of that marvellous bump-to-be.

Fatigue and tiredness in your first trimester

Feeling absolutely exhausted and drained of energy is another of the pregnancy symptoms that your body is gearing up to make a baby.In your first trimester, your body will be putting a lot of effort into making the placenta to support your baby as it grows. What’s more, your metabolism will have to speed up to handle the extra nutrients and water you will need to consume.

Overall, your body is undergoing a lot of changes, so don’t try to fight the fatigue – just accept it and try to take it easy whenever possible. Remember, you’re the one carrying the baby, so let family and friends ‘carry’ some of the other jobs that usually get left to you.

What if I don’t get these pregnancy symptoms?

If you don’t experience any of these pregnancy symptoms, this doesn’t mean that you are not pregnant, although it is, of course, less likely.

The fact is that there are still some women who go full term without knowing they are pregnant, albeit an incredibly small number.

Much more likely is that you will experience one or more of the above pregnancy symptoms, if not within a few days of conception then certainly as your pregnancy progresses.

That said, if you can’t wait to see if a beautiful bump emerges, you can always take a pregnancy test to be sure. We hope it gives you a big smile!

If you do have a little one on the way, be sure to keep up to date with tips and advice from the Conscious Parent, and you might want to start thinking about what you’ll need to create an environmentally friendly home for your family. Explore our latest blogs and our eco-friendly products.