Signs of Pregnancy Before Missed Period

Every couple trying to conceive are on the lookout for various pregnancy symptoms that will let them know at the earliest that their dream of having a child is on the road to reality! While missing a period is the surest sign of pregnancy, it is not the first indicator of pregnancy. When you miss a period, it means you are already approximately three weeks pregnant. However, this is just a stipulation. Nobody can pinpoint how many weeks pregnant you are, because it all depends on the date of fertilization. Because ovulation generally occurs on the fourteen day before onset of next menstrual period, it's assumed one is already 3 weeks pregnant when one has missed a period. However, there are some pregnancy symptoms before missed period, which often go unnoticed.

The very first sign of pregnancy before missed period varies from one woman to another. Don't panic if you haven't experienced these symptoms. Every woman's body works differently. Nevertheless, here are some common signs of pregnancy before missed period.

Elevated Body Temperature
After ovulation, the body experiences a rise in basal body temperature. This happens because of increased progesterone release. When fertilization does not take place, the levels of progesterone drop, thereby conducing to a temperature drop. This temperature drop is called implantation dip. However, if fertilization does take place and a woman conceives, progesterone levels are maintained in order to sustain the pregnancy. Thus, the basal body temperature will be at a high level for longer period of time. However, this temperature change is usually quite difficult to practically detect.

Implantation Spotting
Approximately eight days after ovulation, one may experience implantation spotting. This happens as soon as the fertilized egg or zygote attaches itself to the walls of the uterus. As the zygote attaches itself to the endometrium, there is a pinkish-red or brownish discharge seen. However, it's not necessary that every woman experiences implantation spotting. In fact, only 1/3rd of the women experience it.

Implantation Cramping
Often cramping in early pregnancy bears semblance to cramping before menstruation, which is why this symptom goes unnoticed by most women. The woman may experience a dull ache in her lower abdomen, quite similar to the kind she may have been experiencing during her regular monthly menstrual periods, which is why even though this is one of the early pregnancy symptoms before missed period, it often gets overlooked. Cramping occurs when the zygote gets implanted on the walls of the uterus.

Breast Tenderness
Shortly after conception, there are hormonal changes in the body. Due to these hormonal changes, there are some changes in the breasts. The breasts become sore, they swell and become heavier. The nipples also become tender and sensitive. The area surrounding the nipples, called areola becomes darker. However, these indicators given by the body about two weeks after conception, oft go unnoticed by a woman. She overlooks it as a premenstrual symptom or tags it as something caused by tight clothes.

Fatigue
A general lack of energy is experienced by several women during their early stages of pregnancy. However, this feeling of fatigue and lethargy is also overlooked as something caused by the busyness of everyday life, stressful lifestyle, etc. Fatigue is caused by the change in hormone levels, which happens when conception takes place.

Frequent Urination
As soon as conception takes place, the body begins rapid preparation for the developing fetus. The uterus begins to enlarge itself in order to be able to accommodate the growing fetus. Due to the enlargement of the uterus, pressure is applied on the urinary bladder. This pressure exerted causes the woman to want to urinate frequently.

Some other symptoms such as headaches, heartburn, strong aversion or liking towards certain foods, indigestion, constipation, etc. can be also seen in some women. Women may or may not encounter any of the above mentioned signs. However, these symptoms mentioned above are just pointers. Even if one experiences these symptoms, one cannot be sure one is pregnant, because these symptoms are common to various other conditions. The best way to be sure you are pregnant or not is by waiting to get a positive result on the home pregnancy test.