But when it comes to the first symptoms of pregnancy, everyone is different. Some people start to notice changes within a week after conception. Others might not notice anything until they miss their period.
The fact is, it is possible to notice some changes in the first week of pregnancy. You may or may not realize that you are pregnant, but just 7 DPO, you might be feeling a little off. This is because a fertilized egg could have been implanted, and your body's hormones are changing.
Week 1. This first week is actually your menstrual period. Because your expected birth date (EDD or EDB) is calculated from the first day of your last period, this week counts as part of your 40-week pregnancy, even though your baby hasn't been conceived yet.
Some women may notice symptoms as early as 5 DPO, although they won't know for certain that they are pregnant until much later. Early signs and symptoms include implantation bleeding or cramps, which can occur 5–6 days after the sperm fertilizes the egg. Other early symptoms include breast tenderness and mood changes.
You may feel your body making changes before you know you're pregnant or you may not notice any symptoms at all. Symptoms of early pregnancy include a missed period, needing to pee more often, tender breasts, feeling tired and morning sickness.
Home pregnancy tests can differ in how early they'll detect a pregnancy. In many cases, you might get a positive result from an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception. For a more accurate result, wait until after you've missed your period to take a test.
After implantation, production of hCG starts from cells in the developing placenta (tissue that will feed the fetus). Trace levels of hCG can be detected as early as eight days after ovulation. That means you could get positive results several days before you expect your period to start.
In early pregnancy, a bigger belly or feeling of tightness is probably due to digestive changes. As your uterus takes up more room in your pelvis, it's pushing your intestines upward. In addition, hormonal changes are slowing your digestion, leading to increased gas and constipation.
At 1 week pregnant, you're not technically pregnant yet, so you don't need to see a doctor this week. You should first get in touch with your health care provider as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, which likely won't happen until you're about 4 weeks along.
Cramping and spotting: A brown vaginal discharge for 1-2 days is experienced after a successful implantation. Some women may also experience cramping on the days during implantation. Breast discomfort: Tenderness of the breasts can be experienced along with light swelling.
Once your discharge becomes scant and sticky again, ovulation is over. Some women also report mild breast tenderness around this fertile window time. Pay attention to your body each month and start to track noticeable changes and symptoms.
Unfortunately, no matter how much we feel that we may know our bodies, pregnancy cannot be self-diagnosed. The only way to know whether or not you're pregnant is through a pregnancy test.
Normal discharge during pregnancy is clear or white, and usually a bit sticky; it should not have a noticeable odor. It's OK if your discharge looks a little yellow on your underwear or panty liner during pregnancy, too.
“Early on in your pregnancy, it's natural to feel some mild cramping in your lower abdomen at infrequent times as your body prepares for your growing baby,” Dr. Nalla said. As your belly grows, so does your uterus. This may cause you to feel some slight pulling, tugging or stretching similar to period cramps.
hCG is a hormone produced by your placenta when you are pregnant. It appears shortly after the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. If you are pregnant, this hormone increases very rapidly. If you have a 28 day menstrual cycle, you can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
Once the embryo is implanted, it starts releasing hormones that prepare your body for baby, turning off your period, building up the placenta and possibly making you feel crampy and tired.
Also, what some people consider "implantation symptoms" might actually be premenstrual symptoms. Some examples are sore breasts, nausea, darkening of the areolas, fatigue, headaches, bloating, mood swings, a metallic taste in the mouth, and changes in appetite, says Dr. Acevedo.
Most women experience implantation cramps in their lower abdomen or lower back. On occasion these cramps will be isolated to one side of the body and be felt within the lower right or lower left side of your abdomen.
If you are born with an abnormally high egg or sperm count, have an extremely regular cycle, or have many healthy eggs in older age, you could be “super” fertile.
In the middle of your cycle, it can be helpful to look for signs of ovulation. Ovulation symptoms you may notice include light cramps, changes to your cervical mucus, breast tenderness, a libido boost and mood changes.
Have sex regularly. The highest pregnancy rates occur in couples who have sex every day or every other day. Have sex near the time of ovulation. If having sex every day isn't possible — or enjoyable — have sex every 2 to 3 days a week starting soon after the end of your period.