Early signs of pregnancy that can tell if you are pregnant, even before a missed period

A missed period is the first symptom of pregnancy for many women.

Waiting for pregnancy confirmation, both for those who want it and those who don't, can induce a lot of anxiety and stress. However, there are some sneaky signs with which your body can actually confirm the positive news without you having to take a test.

Since the earliest pregnancy symptoms induce hormonal changes, for many, they may feel just the same as PMS. However, while PMS tends to linger around for just some days, pregnancy symptoms prolong and come associated with some other peculiar changes in the body as well. Read on to find out

Morning sickness and nausea are typical pregnancy symptoms which strike in the first trimester (and sometimes, later, too). All moms-to-be know how they feel. What many don't know is that bouts of nausea and uneasiness can also be experienced in the super early weeks of pregnancy. While the severity and frequency can differ, it is said that 50-80% of women experience these symptoms, brought on by heightened hormonal activity due to a rise in estrogen and progesterone levels.

Some women say that feeling a weird, iffy, metallic taste in their mouth can be a symptom that a baby is on its way. Medically known as Dysgeusia, this weird pregnancy symptom can be due to your hormones. It could feel like your tastebuds had something unpleasant or metallic in taste. For many, the symptoms start in the early weeks, only to disappear after the first trimester ends.

Believe it or not, seeing recurring dreams about bizarre events could be one of the signs a woman is about to become a mother. It's definitely a peculiar and uncommon pregnancy symptom some women can experience in the early weeks of conception. There's no reason as to why this happens but most probably, one of the ways your hormones might be playing with you.

The most defining feature of an incoming period or premenstrual syndrome may also be the sign that there's a baby on the way. Sometimes, women may experience cramping and pain when the embryo gets implanted into the uterus. It might not happen always, but is a positive sign.

Pregnancy comes along a heightened sense of smell because estrogen also impacts your senses. It can so happen that you may feel a sense of aversion towards some foods, experience bloating, nausea in the very early days of pregnancy. For some, this can also kick in as the dreaded morning sickness. Note all the changes if you have been feeling hungry or experience a loss of appetite during your cycle.

When conception happens, the early signs are always spotted around the breasts. Tenderness, swelling, pain or change in the colour or size of areolas can kick in as estrogen levels spike up. Soreness and sensitivity may also stick around as you progress with your pregnancy.

Have you been experiencing an urge to urinate or visit the washroom more often than before while in the wait for the period? It might be time for you to take a test. Studies say that the kidneys start filtering out waste and the infamous 'bladder push' starts to happen as early as two weeks post-conception, making you pee more frequently.

A change in cervical mucus can be one of the key factors determining the presence of a pregnancy. Usually associated with ovulation, if the mucus seems creamy or thicker and not watery, you might want to take a check.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is a way to measure your body's temperature when resting. It usually rises during ovulation, while the release of progesterone ensures that the temperature dips when you are in the middle of your menstrual cycle. Tracking BBT daily, for 10 days or more can be one of the ways for you to confirm your pregnancy since it usually stays elevated post conception.