Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

A Quick Chart

By BabyZone and ParentZone Editors

Wondering if you're pregnant? Read our quick chart of the first 11 signs and early symptoms of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptom	Time of Appearance	Other Possible Causes
Delay of Menstruation	During entire pregnancy	Excessive weight gain or loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, going off the birth control pill or breast feeding.
Nausea and vomiting	2 - 8 weeks after conception	Food poisoning, stress and variety of other stomach disorders.
Tender or swollen breasts	1 - 2 weeks after conception	Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation.
Feeling exhausted or "sleepy"	1 -6 weeks after conception	Stress, fatigue, depression and other physical and mental strains. Can also be the common cold or flu.
Backaches	During entire pregnancy	A variety of back problems and physical or mental strains.
Frequent headaches	Sometimes during entire pregnancy.	Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, eye strain and other ailments.
Food cravings	During entire pregnancy	Poor diet, stress, depression and impending menstruation.
Darkening of areola (breast nipple)	First signs 1 - 14 weeks after conceptions and then throughout pregnancy	Hormonal imbalance.
Fetal movements	16 - 22 week after conception	Gas, lower gastrointestinal bowl contractions.
Frequent urination	6 - 8 weeks after conception	Diabetes, urinary tract infection, taking excessive diuretics causing urination.
Fetal heart beat	10 - 20 weeks and then throughout entire pregnancy. Early detection using sensitive microphones, e.g. Doppler.	None

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