So… your period’s late, your emotions are all over the place, and you're suddenly craving pickles at midnight. Could it be? 🤔

If you're wondering whether you might be pregnant, you're not alone. While a missed period is the most obvious sign, there are several early pregnancy symptoms that often go unnoticed or get mistaken for PMS.

Here are 10 subtle signs of early pregnancy to look out for:

1. Tender or Swollen Breasts

Your boobs might feel sore, heavy, or tingly — kind of like right before your period, but a little more intense. This happens due to early hormonal changes as your body begins preparing to support a baby.

2. Mild Cramping and Spotting (Implantation Bleeding)

Some women experience light spotting or cramping about 6–12 days after ovulation — known as implantation bleeding. It’s usually lighter than a period and doesn’t last long.

3. Fatigue Like You’ve Never Felt Before

Suddenly exhausted? Early pregnancy fatigue is real — and powerful. Increased progesterone can make you feel like taking naps at every opportunity.

4. Nausea or Food Aversions

Morning sickness doesn’t always show up in the morning. Some women feel queasy all day or start avoiding certain smells and foods — even ones they normally love.

🍳 Can’t stand the smell of eggs or coffee? That could be a clue.

5. Frequent Urination

Running to the bathroom more often than usual? Hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your kidneys can cause more frequent urination early in pregnancy.

6. Mood Swings

Tearing up at a puppy commercial? Getting frustrated more easily? Those emotional highs and lows could be thanks to a surge of pregnancy hormones.

7. Bloating and Gas

Early pregnancy can make your digestion slow down, causing bloating — similar to PMS, but sometimes more noticeable and uncomfortable.

8. Changes in Basal Body Temperature

If you’ve been tracking your temperature, you may notice it stays elevated beyond ovulation — another subtle sign that implantation may have happened.

9. A Stronger Sense of Smell

Suddenly noticing every scent in the room — even ones no one else smells? An increased sense of smell is common in early pregnancy and can also trigger nausea.

10. Missed Period

Of course, the most well-known sign. If your cycle is regular and your period is late, it's definitely time to take a test!

💡 Related: 7 Tips for Taking a Pregnancy Test (and Getting the Most Accurate Results)

🍼 What To Do Next

If you think you might be pregnant:

• Take a home pregnancy test

  Try: First Response Early Result Test

  Clearblue Digital Test

  Wondfo Test Strips Pack (Great Value!)

• Follow up with your doctor to confirm

• Start or continue taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid

  💊 Try: Nature Made Prenatal with Folic Acid

  One A Day Women’s Prenatal Gummies

  SmartyPants Prenatal Vitamins

• Begin tracking your symptoms & staying hydrated

💬 Final Thought

Every woman’s body is different, and you might experience all, some, or none of these symptoms. Whether you’re just starting your journey or already seeing signs, trust your intuition, and know you're not alone.

Need help picking a pregnancy test or prenatal essentials? Check out our favorites in the Pregnancy Must-Haves section of Pink Blue World!