Some women find it hard to believe that other women can sail obliviously through the first few weeks (and even months) of pregnancy without noticing any obvious signs.
But while feeling nauseous, tired, or having a late period are all symptoms of pregnancy, they could be due to other factors.
So what are the signs of pregnancy that could be mistaken for something else? Or the symptoms of pregnancy you think you’ve noticed which could be caused by something else?
Sickness
Morning sickness (which we all know can appear at any time of the day or night) could be a symptom of pregnancy, but it could equally be caused by food poisoning, stress, or a stomach disorder.
Pregnancy nausea typically kicks in two to eight weeks after conception. It’s a good idea to see your GP to find out the cause.
Late period
Yes, this is a sign of pregnancy, but a woman’s periods can be knocked out of sync by excessive weight gain or loss, overtiredness, fatigue, excessive exercising, a hormonal imbalance, stress, mistakes with birth control pills or breastfeeding.
Tender breasts
This is a fairly common first sign of pregnancy that can start as early as one week after conception. However women can also get sore breasts when their hormones are fluctuating, because of contraceptive pills or just before a period starts.
Tiredness
While tiredness is certainly an early sign of pregnancy it could be due to stress, illness or depression. When it occurs due to pregnancy it is caused by the rising levels of progesterone in the body at between one and six weeks pregnant.
Frequent Headaches
Higher oestrogen levels in the body can cause headaches for some pregnant women. Other causes of a headache could be dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, or eye strain.
Cravings
Some women know they are pregnant as soon as they start craving a particular food. But food cravings (particularly for salty, sweet or fatty foods) can be due to poor diet, stress, depression, or an imminent period.
Peeing a lot
The need to pee frequently usually begins about six to eight weeks after conception. But women with diabetes or urinary tract infections, or those taking diuretics to prevent bloating may also need to pee more often, so it's best to check with your doctor.
Feeling movement
You won’t feel your baby moving until at least week 16 (more likely week 20) so any “movement” in your tummy could be caused by gas or bowel contractions.
Debra Aspinall is an experienced journalist and the editor and leading writer for the Emma’s Diary website, one of the UKs foremost pregnancy and baby websites. Debra writes on pregnancy related topics such as early sign of pregnancy, symptoms of pregnancy, sign of pregnancy and etc. She also writes on women’s health and beauty issues and contributes travel articles to glossy magazines in London and the Home Counties.