Think You Might Be Pregnant? Read This

The most obvious clue? A missed period. Pregnancy hormones – specifically, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – kick in early to halt your usual menstrual cycle and support a fertilised egg’s implantation in the uterus.

However, a late or missed period isn’t always a guaranteed sign of pregnancy. Stress, illness, and hormonal fluctuations can also delay your cycle. But if your period is MIA and you’re experiencing other symptoms on this list, it might be time to take a test.

Extreme fatigue can hit as early as one week after conception, thanks to rising progesterone levels. This hormone helps maintain a healthy pregnancy but also has a naturally sedative effect on the central nervous system, making you feel wiped out even after a good night’s sleep.

Sleep disturbances and excessive daytime sleepiness are common in early pregnancy, so if you find yourself needing more rest than usual or struggling with your energy levels, this could be why.

Breast tenderness is one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms, often appearing within the first two weeks. Rising oestrogen and progesterone levels increase blood flow to the breasts, causing swelling, soreness, and a tingling sensation.

You may also notice darker or more pronounced veins, as well as changes in your nipples, such as darkened areolas caused by increased melanin production.

Morning sickness (which can strike at any time of day) typically begins around week six, but some people experience queasiness even earlier. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to be linked to rapidly rising hCG and oestrogen levels.

If certain smells are turning your stomach or you feel waves of nausea throughout the day, this could be a clue that you’re pregnant.

If everyday scents like coffee, perfume, or even your usual laundry detergent suddenly seem overwhelming or unpleasant, there may be a biological reason. Research suggests that pregnancy can heighten olfactory sensitivity, likely due to increased oestrogen levels. 

Some researchers theorise that this enhanced sense of smell has evolved as a protective mechanism, helping women detect and avoid potentially harmful substances or spoiled food during early pregnancy.

Need to wee more than usual? In early pregnancy, increased blood flow to the kidneys means they’re filtering more fluid, which eventually makes its way out as urine. On top of that, hormonal changes – especially rising levels of hCG – can impact bladder function, creating an almost constant urge to go, even if your bladder isn’t full.

One moment, you’re irrationally furious at your partner for breathing too loudly, the next, you’re sobbing over a cereal advert. Sudden mood swings are a well-documented symptom of pregnancy, driven by rapidly fluctuating levels of oestrogen and progesterone.

These hormones influence neurotransmitter activity in the brain, particularly serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood. As a result, emotional sensitivity is heightened, leading to stronger-than-usual reactions to everyday situations.

Hormonal shifts – particularly the rise in hCG and progesterone – can alter your sense of taste and smell, making certain foods irresistible while others suddenly seem unbearable. It’s thought that cravings may be linked to nutritional needs (your body nudging you toward what it lacks), while food aversions could be an evolutionary defence mechanism, steering you away from potentially harmful substances.

Whatever the reason, if you find yourself desperately needing a very specific meal at 3 a.m. or gagging at the thought of your usual favourites, your body might be dropping some hints.

In early pregnancy, blood volume increases and blood vessels widen, thanks to rising levels of progesterone. This can cause a drop in blood pressure, which might make you feel lightheaded or dizzy, particularly when standing up quickly.

If you’re feeling unusually wobbly, it might be a sign that your body is adjusting to pregnancy – so it could be worth taking a test.

Mild cramping in early pregnancy is common, and is usually caused by implantation, when the fertilised egg attaches to the lining of your uterus. This typically happens 6-12 days after ovulation and can feel a lot like the cramps you might get before your period, but they tend to be much milder and don’t last as long.

Some people also notice light spotting in their knickers around the time of implantation, which is another sign of early pregnancy. Both of these symptoms can be quite confusing, because it’s hard to tell implantation cramps from period pain, or spotting from an actual period. If you’re uncertain, be sure to take a pregnancy test for peace of mind.