Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception, but for others, it may take a little longer.⁸ 
There are many physical and emotional changes during pregnancy.⁸

IMPLANTATION BLEED / SPOTTING⁸

When the embryo embeds into the uterine wall there may be some spotting (blood) as well as some cramping. This can happen a little earlier than the expected monthly bleed (or 6-12 days after conception).

AMENORRHOEA / MISSED PERIOD⁸

One of the first real signs of pregnancy would be that the menstrual period fails to start when it should.

BREAST TENDERNESS⁸

Quite often women experience breast fullness and discomfort just prior to their menstrual period. If pregnancy occurs, these symptoms can continue and increase as the breasts become fuller / more tender.

FATIGUE / TIREDNESS⁸

Fatigue and drowsiness are symptoms that may be experienced as early as a
week after conception.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING / MORNING SICKNESS⁸

Morning sickness can begin 2-8 weeks after conception, and may last between 6-8 weeks, or may even continue through most of the pregnancy, while others are lucky enough not to experience morning sickness at all.

BLADDER IRRITABILITY / FREQUENT URINATION⁸

At the beginning stages of pregnancy, around 6-8 weeks after conception. Increased urination will continue throughout pregnancy as the expanding baby and uterus places pressure on the bladder.

CONSTIPATION⁹

The progesterone produced during pregnancy relaxes the bowel and slows down digestion.

FOOD CRAVINGS OR FOOD AVERSIONS⁸

These can occur early in pregnancy or throughout. Women are generally drawn to or put off by certain foods. Some cravings can be caused by a lack of specific nutrients.

BACKACHE⁸

Lower back pain can be an early symptom of pregnancy, but it may continue
for the entire 9 months.

HEADACHES⁸

Women may experience headaches due to the rise in pregnancy hormones and an increase in blood flow (around 50%).

MOOD SWINGS⁸

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect neurotransmitters in the brain which can cause emotional highs or lows.

SKIN CHANGES¹⁰

Further on in your pregnancy skin changes can occur, such as:

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  • Stretch marks – 90% of women develop these lines, which appear on your breasts and abdomen, but usually fade to thin white lines after your baby is born
  • Pimples / acne – the extra hormones cause your oil glands to secrete more oil
  • Varicose veins – caused by the extra blood flow during pregnancy
  • Linea nigra – a dark line that runs from your navel to your pubic bone
  • Melasma / skin pigmentation / mask of pregnancy – nearly 50% of women develop dark patches on their faces due to the pregnancy hormones that increase pigmentation.

Not all of these symptoms will be experienced by every women and not to the same degree. Most symptoms will not continue once the baby is born.