Time Frame

• In the earliest stage of pregnancy, some women experience slight spotting approximately seven days after conception as the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine wall. Called, "implantation spotting," this occurs before the cervix seals and results in a small amount of bloody vaginal discharge that may be so minute that you miss it altogether.
  
  

Signs

• The first reliable sign that conception has taken place for most women is the absence of their menstrual period. However, a small number of women may experience a very light period. Rule out other causes for missing a period, such as weight loss or starting a hormonal birth control program. If your periods are regular, a period that is two or more days late, is a sign that you might be pregnant.
  
  

Symptoms

• As your body produces a surge of hormones, you may feel the need to urinate more often in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Those same hormones may cause your breasts to swell and become tender. Check the color of your areolas (your nipples). Some women notice a distinct darkening of the pigment within the first three weeks of pregnancy and the enlargement of the tiny bumps found on the nipples.
  
  

Progression

• If you are pregnant, your body will show additional signs in the coming weeks. Morning sickness affects up to 75 percent of women, beginning as early as two weeks after conception and typically ending before the second trimester of pregnancy begins. The name is misleading, however, since many women experience nausea later in the day or all day long. Ironically, it's during this very phase that many women begin to experience strange food cravings. You may find that your once-favorite snack now repulses you and you are craving a food you never liked before.
  
  

Verification

• Verify your suspicions with an over-the-counter pregnancy test.
  
  When you experience one or more of these early signs and symptoms of pregnancy, take a home pregnancy test or visit your doctor or local health clinic as soon as possible for verification. Contact a medical professional for advice about eating a healthy diet and avoiding substances that could harm a developing baby.