Pregnancy symptoms can start very soon after conception, sometimes as early as one to two weeks after fertilization of the egg. Common initial symptoms include tender or sore breasts, fatigue, frequent urination, mild cramping, light spotting (implantation bleeding), and nausea. Some women may start to feel these symptoms before they even miss their period, around 6 to 12 days after fertilization, while others may not notice symptoms until several weeks into the pregnancy. The timing and intensity of symptoms vary greatly among individuals, with many women noticing symptoms around the fourth to sixth week of pregnancy, which is often around the time of a missed period.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms Timeline
- 6 to 12 days after fertilization: Implantation bleeding and mild cramping may occur.
- 1 to 2 weeks after conception: Breast tenderness, fatigue, and frequent urination may begin.
- Around the time of a missed period (about 4 weeks pregnant): Nausea (morning sickness), increased tiredness, and other symptoms may become more noticeable.
Individual Variation
- Some women may experience symptoms within days or a week after conception.
- Others may not have noticeable symptoms until several weeks have passed.
- Symptom presence and severity can differ; some women have very mild symptoms or none at all.
This variability means pregnancy can feel different for each person, and the best confirmation of pregnancy is a pregnancy test after a missed period or a medical evaluation.