Below are some common early pregnancy signs and symptoms.

Not every pregnant woman has the same symptoms of pregnancy.  Symptoms will vary in their duration, frequency and intensity. Some women get a lot of signs and symptoms, while others only get few.

If you have any or all of the following symptoms or signs of early pregnancy, you should test yourself with a pregnancy test kit or consult a doctor or other health care professional as soon as possible.
 
• Missed menstrual period
A missed menstrual period is one of the very early signs of pregnancy.  For women who have a regular menstrual period, this is often the first sign that you are pregnant.

• Morning sickness
Morning sickness commonly occurs between the fourth and eighth week of pregnancy.  This symptom often begins about 2 weeks from the date of conception for many women.

Morning sickness is a misnomer because it can actually occur at anytime. The most common causes of this symptom seem to be the rapid increase of estrogen, produced from the placenta and fetus. Smells often cause nausea as well.

Common foods known for inducing morning sickness include spicy foods, coffee, meat, and dairy products. However, it is important to know that anything can induce nausea and/ or vomiting during pregnancy.

Eating crackers in the morning can help and eating several smaller meals instead of larger ones can help with nausea.

• Breast Tenderness
One of the early noticeable signs of pregnancy is swollen and tender breasts which may be accompanied by a tingling sensation. You may detect this when getting dressed, showering, exercising or at bedtime.  When you become pregnant, your body begins preparing your breasts for the production of breast milk. The nipples may begin to feel more tender and sensitive than usual and some women notice their areolas darken in colour.

• Light bleeding (spotting) and/or cramping
A common cause of the faint bleeding in early pregnancy is implantation. Implantation bleeding occurs while the embryo embeds itself in the uterine wall, usually 10 to 14 days after conception. Bleeding induced by implantation is very faint and often the only sign you notice is a minor spot of blood appearing.

Cramping pain similar to menstrual cramps happens early in pregnancy and occurs when the uterus starts to enlarge, building room for the embryo to grow into a fetus.

• Fatigue
Extreme fatigue can also be an indicator of pregnancy, especially when other symptoms are present too.  If increased tiredness is a symptom, a daily nap can help maintain normal activities while pregnant.

• Increased urination
Frequent urination occurs due to the increasing blood and other body fluids being processed by the kidneys and ending up in the bladder. This symptom will most likely become worse as your pregnancy progresses.

• Headaches
Headaches in early pregnancy are a common symptom and begin at about the 6th week. To help prevent headaches, take a quick nap.

Preeclampsia or toxemia can begin with headache and can be dangerous to a pregnant woman. If you are pregnant and have this symptom, be sure to call your health care provider immediately.

• Food Cravings
Food cravings can sometimes be a sign of pregnancy but  don't rely on them as a sure symptom.  If cravings are accompanied by some of the other symptoms of pregnancy, it might be an idea to start calculating the days from your last period.

• Light Headedness or Fainting
Some pregnant women experience fainting and light headedness.

• Constipation
Hormonal changes can affect the digestive system and cause constipation in some pregnant women.  Drink plenty of water and consult your doctor for recommended exercise to help with constipation while pregnant. 

• Heartburn
During months 1-9, heartburn can be a symptom of pregnancy.  Heartburn is caused by hormonal changes in months 1-4.  Thereafter, the baby can cause pressure on a pregnant woman's organs.  Remaining in an upright position for an hour after eating can help as can eating frequent smaller meals.