How do you know whether you are pregnant? For a lot of women, the first symptoms show within the first few weeks after they have conceived. The proof to consider is the pregnancy test. This can be done even before you have missed your period. Here are the symptoms:

• Swollen and tender breasts: The breasts may be one of the best symptoms of pregnancy. Within 2 weeks, changes in the hormones make the breasts tender, sore or with tingling sensation feeling heavier and fuller.
• Exhaustion: Fatigue in early pregnancy is caused by high levels of progesterone which in high doses can even make you sleepy. Sleep is also induced by low levels of blood sugar, low blood pressure and high levels of blood production.
• Cramps and slight bleeding: Small amounts of vaginal bleeding or spotting, also known as implantation bleeding, is one of the early symptoms. It occurs when the egg that has been fertilized has attached itself to the uterus lining, 10 or 14 days after fertilization. The bleeding generally takes place earlier, and is lighter and spottier than your normal period and is short lived.
• Abdominal cramps are also common in some women during early pregnancy and these are identical to menstrual cramping.
• Vomiting and nausea: Morning sickness can take place any time of the day or night. This is one of the most common symptoms and sometimes it is as early as within a fortnight of conception.

Nausea is partly caused by the high estrogen levels causing the stomach to vacate slowly. The sense of smell of cigarette smoke, perfume or cooking food is also high in pregnant women, and this may result in nausea in early pregnancy.

• Aversion or cravings for food: Pregnant women might be attracted to food like fried stuff or coffee. The craving is common and is related to changes in the hormonal levels, usually during the first trimester when the changes are significant.
• Headaches: This is caused by increased blood flow due to hormonal changes.
• Constipation: Caused by increased progesterone levels, causing slow passage of food.
• Mood swings: Women become unusually weepy, especially during the first trimester.
• Dizziness: Dilated blood vessels or low blood sugar drop the BP, making you dizzy.
• Increased body temperature: The basal body temperature or oral temperature (taken early in the morning) increases after ovulation until your next period.