Early Pregnancy Symptoms: What to Expect Before and After a Missed Period

Waiting to find out if you're pregnant can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences. Every little twinge, cramp, or unusual symptom can send your mind into a spiral—Am I pregnant? Or is this just PMS? The anxiety of the Two-Week Wait (TWW) is real, and for many women trying to conceive, the days seem to stretch endlessly.

While a missed period is often the first clear sign of pregnancy, there are many subtle symptoms that may appear even before your period is due. Understanding these changes can help you navigate this time with more clarity and less stress.

Let’s break down the early pregnancy symptoms week by week, starting from before a missed period.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms: What Happens at 1 & 2 Weeks Pregnant?

The journey to pregnancy begins before you even miss your period. During the first two weeks, your body undergoes subtle but significant changes, setting the stage for conception and implantation. While some women may not notice any early signs, others might experience slight shifts that hint at what’s to come. Let’s take a closer look at what happens during Week 1 and Week 2 of pregnancy.

1 Week Pregnant: Ovulation to Implantation (1-7 DPO)

At this stage, you are technically not pregnant yet. However, conception happens during ovulation, typically around Day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle. If sperm meets the egg, fertilization occurs, and a tiny zygote begins its journey through the fallopian tube, heading toward the uterus for implantation.

What’s Happening Inside Your Body?

🔹 Egg Release (Ovulation): Your ovary releases a mature egg, which can be fertilized for up to 24 hours.
🔹 Sperm Meets Egg: Sperm can survive inside your reproductive tract for up to 5 days, waiting for ovulation. If fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg (zygote) begins dividing and traveling toward the uterus.
🔹 Progesterone Increases: Hormone levels start rising, preparing the uterine lining for implantation.

Symptoms You May Notice (But Most Don’t!)

Many women do not experience noticeable symptoms in Week 1. However, some may observe:
1. Increased Cervical Mucus: A slippery, egg-white consistency that helps sperm travel.
2. Mild Pelvic Cramps (Ovulation Pain): Some women feel a twinge or mild pain on one side of the lower abdomen, called mittelschmerz.
3. Higher Libido: Due to an increase in estrogen and testosterone around ovulation.

2 Weeks Pregnant: Implantation & Rising hCG (8-14 DPO)

This is a critical phase, as implantation occurs—the moment when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining, officially beginning pregnancy. This typically happens 6-10 days post-ovulation (DPO). Once implantation happens, your body starts producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone detected in tests.

What’s Happening Inside Your Body?

🔹 Implantation Begins: The fertilized egg, now a blastocyst, burrows into the uterus and starts releasing hCG.
🔹 Hormonal Changes: Rising progesterone & estrogen prepare your body for pregnancy, causing subtle changes.
🔹 Blood Flow Increases: More blood is directed to the uterus, potentially leading to light spotting.

Common Symptoms of Early Pregnancy (2 Weeks Pregnant)

Not all women experience symptoms at this stage, but some early signs include:
1. Light Spotting (Implantation Bleeding): Occurs in about 25% of women—usually light pink or brown discharge lasting 1-2 days.
2. Mild Cramping: Feels like period pain but is usually lighter and shorter.
3. Basal Body Temperature Dip: A slight drop in BBT (Basal Body Temperature) around implantation (if tracking).
4. Breast Tenderness & Sensitivity: Due to early hormonal shifts. Breast tenderness is often a very confusing symptom as women also experience breast tenderness before a period is due. 
5. Increased Fatigue: Rising progesterone can cause drowsiness and sluggishness. Many women report extreme fatigue as first sign of pregnancy even before their missed period. 

What to Do at This Stage?

If Trying to Conceive (TTC):
 1. Keep track of symptoms but avoid overanalyzing (PMS & early pregnancy symptoms can be similar).
2. Stay hydrated and continue taking prenatal vitamins (with folic acid).
3. Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine to 200 mg/day.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test?
Wait until at least 12-14 DPO (or the first day of your missed period) for a more accurate result. Some sensitive tests may detect hCG at 9-10 DPO, but false negatives are very common in this time frame. 

After a Missed Period: What to Expect in Early Pregnancy

Once you’ve missed your period, pregnancy symptoms tend to become more noticeable and intense as hCG levels rise. Some women start feeling changes as early as week 3, while others may not experience symptoms until week 4 or later. We have spoken to many mothers about their first pregnancy symptoms in our podcast, "Hand that rocks the cradle" and many have said that first symptom they experienced is food aversions or extreme fatigue! 

Fillonie Chavda, an instagram influencer and our podcast guest said, "Aversion to chocolate was my first pregnancy symptom! I loved chocolate and I couldnt understand why I am not able to stand its taste! I didnt know I was pregnant then!"

 Let’s break down what’s happening in your body after a missed period.

3 Weeks Pregnant: Rising hCG and Early Signs (15-21 DPO)

By now, most home pregnancy tests can detect hCG, the hormone responsible for pregnancy symptoms. As hCG increases, early pregnancy signs may become more noticeable.

Symptoms That May Appear

• Missed period (the most obvious and common first sign)
• Increased urination as pregnancy hormones affect kidney function
• Heightened sense of smell leading to aversions or sensitivity to certain scents
• Mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations

Did you know? Around 70% of women experience nausea (morning sickness) by this stage, though it can occur at any time of the day.

4 Weeks Pregnant: Pregnancy Test Confirmation & Intensifying Symptoms (22-28 DPO)

If you haven’t taken a pregnancy test yet, now is the time—hCG levels are high enough to provide a clear result. Many women begin to experience stronger pregnancy symptoms as their body adjusts to the hormonal surge.

New Symptoms That May Appear

• Nausea and food aversions (some foods may suddenly seem unappealing)
• Metallic taste in the mouth, a strange but common early pregnancy symptom
• Bloating and mild constipation due to progesterone slowing digestion
• Increased hunger or intense cravings as the body signals nutrient needs

Interesting fact: Around 90% of women report breast tenderness by the 4th week of pregnancy, making it one of the most common early symptoms.

When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test?

For the most accurate and reliable results:
Best time: The day of your missed period or later Some sensitive tests detect hCG as early as 8-10 DPO, but accuracy improves after 12 DPO.
First-morning urine: HCG levels are most concentrated in the morning, increasing the chances of a clear positive. 

did you know that pregnancy can also bring some unexpected and downright strange symptoms?

Rare and Unusual Pregnancy Symptoms That are Normal!

Every woman’s body reacts differently to pregnancy hormones, and some may experience uncommon symptoms that are rarely talked about. If you’re noticing changes that seem unusual, you’re not alone! Here are some rare but completely normal pregnancy symptoms that might surprise you.

1. Stuffy Nose or Frequent Sneezing (Pregnancy Rhinitis)

If you suddenly feel like you have a cold that won’t go away, pregnancy hormones could be the culprit. Increased blood flow and hormonal changes can cause nasal congestion, leading to a stuffy nose, excessive sneezing, and even nosebleeds. Staying hydrated, using a humidifier or saline nasal spray and avoiding strong perfumes or irritants might help.

2. Excessive Drooling (Ptyalism Gravidarum)

Some women notice excess saliva production, which can be annoying, especially when combined with nausea. While doctors aren’t entirely sure why this happens, it’s believed to be linked to morning sickness and hormonal shifts. Swallowing frequently or spitting out excess saliva. eating dry crackers or sipping cold water or chewing gum to help regulate saliva production might help.

3. Vivid and Bizarre Dreams

Pregnancy can bring some strange, highly detailed, and emotional dreams. Some women even report dreaming about their baby’s gender before finding out. This is linked to hormonal surges and increased REM sleep during pregnancy. Keeping a dream journal if you enjoy tracking them and practicing relaxation before bed to prevent nightmares would be helpful. 

4. Sudden Aversion to your Partner's Scent

Some women find that their partner’s natural smell suddenly becomes unbearable during pregnancy. This is due to a heightened sense of smell caused by increased estrogen levels. You might also be repelled by certain perfumes, body lotions, or even the scent of your favorite foods. Avoiding strong smells and opting for fresh air and using lightly scented or fragrance-free personal products is helpful.

5. Itchy Skin and Strange Rashes

Itchy skin is common due to stretching skin and increased blood flow, but some women also develop rashes, red patches, or even hives. Some pregnancy-related skin conditions include:

• PUPPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy): An itchy rash that appears in the third trimester
• Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A liver-related condition causing extreme itching, especially on hands and feet (consult a doctor if you experience this)

Moisturizing with fragrance-free lotions, wearing loose, breathable clothing and taking oatmeal baths for relief might be helpful.

6. Bleeding Gums and Sensitive Teeth

Pregnancy hormones can make your gums swollen, inflamed, and prone to bleeding, especially when brushing. Some women also experience increased tooth sensitivity. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing gently and rinsing with warm salt water and visiting a dentist for a checkup if needed is important.

7. Changes in Body Temperature

Some women feel unusually hot all the time, even in normal temperatures. Others feel chills and shivers despite no fever. These fluctuations are due to increased blood volume and hormone changes. Wearing breathable, layered clothing, staying hydrated and using a fan or warm blankets as needed is helpful.

8. Restless Leg Syndrome (Especially at Night)

Some women experience an uncontrollable urge to move their legs, especially at night. This condition, known as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), is linked to iron or folate deficiencies. Increasing iron-rich foods in your diet, stretching or light movement before bed and taking magnesium supplements after a doctor consultation are some tips you can try! 

Final Thoughts

Every woman’s body reacts differently to pregnancy. Some may notice symptoms very early, while others may not experience any until several weeks later. The key is to stay calm and listen to your body. If you suspect pregnancy, taking a test is the best way to confirm. Avoid over analyzing especially in the two week wait where every little change in your body might push you into wondering if this is pregnancy! 

Have you experienced any early pregnancy symptoms? Share your story in the comments!