I found out I am pregnant today. It was a surprise, so I had no idea I was experiencing the following signs of early pregnancy.
Now it all makes sense!
It’s super-early, so I am a bit nervous about publishing this post, and I haven’t even told my mum yet (I’m doing that over dinner tomorrow, fyi)! However, I’m still waiting for results from a free hiv test that I took since my partner is positive but has been taking treatment for years and has no symptoms at all, but we still like to be sure.
I’ve written this post for those – like me – who find it very hard not to overthink situations, and tend to hang around, googling *feeling sick sign of early pregnancy* a few days after ovulation, and an ovulation calendar is your most visited bookmark.
This post was written back in 2017, and I have updated it at the end with a lil pic of my baby boy after a successful full term pregnancy.
You Know All About The Classic Signs Of Early Pregnancy…
A missed period (you don’t say…)
A positive pregnancy test (really!)
Sickness?
But what about if it’s a few days before you’re due your period, and your mind is running away with you?
Here Are Some Of The More Unusual / Subtle Signs Of Early Pregnancy That I Have Experienced With All Three Of My Pregnancies
1. Is Feeling Cold Really One Of The Signs Of Early Pregnancy?
Not happy unless you’re under three blankets, 4 layers of clothing and next to a radiator?
This was me, shivering away, even with the heating on full blast.

2. Feeling Weak, Fatigued & Lightheaded
For the last week, I have been walking around, huffing and puffing, getting out of breath walking up hills, and generally feeling really unfit for no apparent reason (except I was pregnant, and I didn’t realise).
Picking my kids up was giving me headrush, and my bed has been a mirage 24/7.

3. Lower Back Pain
This one is easily mistaken for period symptoms, but this is a sure-fire sign for me that ‘things’ are happening! I get painful back pains so I love my monthly chiropractor visit. Go to https://arrowhead-clinic-chiropractor-newnan.business.site/ to check them out.

4. Spotting
Last Sunday (8 days after conception, 4 days before a positive digital pregnancy test) I thought I had come on my period.
I had a flash of bright pink/red blood.
I reached for my tampax and added ibruprofen onto my online shop for the next day, thinking I’ll be doubled over in pain soon.
On inspecting my tampon (sorry, TMI) a few hours later, there was only a tiny bit of brown blood.
And the next day (Monday), one was completely clean.
This is when I started to wonder…. hmm where did my period go?!
Then I wondered….was that implantation bleeding?!
Then I turned into the google fiend I mentioned above, and became a crazy person until I took a test today – the day I thought my actual period was supposed to arrive, and 12 days after conception.

5. Sore Throat
I remember this when I was pregnant (and didn’t know) with my daughter.
I suddenly developed a sore throat, which I thought was a bit odd.
Drinking gallons of water didn’t help it at all, and this is what a Baby Centre community member had to say about it…
The increased fluids in pregnancy plus nasal congestion can cause an almost “post nasal drip” like feeling which can be like a sore throat. Also in early pregnancy your immune system can be lowered so it’s easier for us to catch colds. Our immune systems lower so we don’t fight off the embryo as an invader.

6. Feeling Queasy
I’ve been getting the odd wave of nausea the last few days, and I had the exact same thing when expecting my daughter.
Morning sickness is usually part and parcel of pregnancy, but I was quite surprised to be feeling sick so early.
I’m keeping my fingers tightly crossed it’s mild morning sickness on my cards, and not anything crippling!

7. Headaches
Oh, so that was why I have been experiencing an aching head most days for the last week or so.
Hormones have a lot to answer for, according to the NHS website.

8. Cramping
A new baby nestling into his or her home for the next few months can cause a bit of light cramping.
Learn more about early pregnancy cramping, and when to seek medical advice.

9. Dry Or Metallic Taste In Your Mouth
This is a sure-fire signal for me. A metal mouth, as I like to call it, makes things taste odd, and your mouth can also feel quite dry, however hydrated you are.
Not knowing I was pregnant, I had a little glass of red wine to take the edge off a crazy day with my two kids, and to my dismay, it tasted horrible!
Here’s what Huggies have to say about Dysgeusia (the posher way of saying “metal mouth”):
Dysgeusia is most commonly due to pregnancy hormones, especially oestrogen. This is one of the female hormones which is particularly high during pregnancy. This hormone normally plays an important role in our perception of taste, food cravings and general enjoyment of food. Because the level of oestrogen varies so much during pregnancy, the sense of taste can change along with it. This is why the taste of food when you’re pregnant can vary so much. One week something tastes delicious and the next, well, it’s something else entirely.

10. Some Things Smell Horrible All Of A Sudden
All of a sudden today, I thought the cafe I work next to was omitting horrible, burnt meat aromas.
This hasn’t bothered me before, but my sense of smell has already heightened.
Here are a few theories on why your sense of smell changes when you’re pregnant.

So, there you have it.
If you’ve come here looking for signs of early pregnancy, leave me a comment and let me know if any of my 10 signs ring any bells with you.
Soon you’ll be able to take a pregnancy test and put your mind at ease.
Good luck!
UPDATE!
SO, I wrote this post a while ago now! I was lucky enough to carry my baby boy full term, and here he is…

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21 comments
Oooh I never knew about the smells one. There’s no chance for me at the moment but I STILL really worry about being pregnant haha.
Everyone smelt unwashed. I had to keep my distance from humans for a good few weeks 😉
I am not pregnant but wow, good to know the early signs of pregnancy based on a real experience! I had a friend who discovered she’s pregnant when she was on her 3rd month. Your little boy is an angel!
Thank you for your comment! My baby boy is currently going through trying to walk, and he loves to climb EVERYTHING! But yes, he’s my angel, thank you!
Before getting pregnant I would always symptom spot but once I got my BFP I experienced a few of these. Definitely felt a bit queasy and had a few cramps. Mostly I just felt like I was going to get my period and also had very sore nipples ?? I expected all the bad symptoms but I definitely got away very lightly!
Did you get the smell one?
Oh wow, I have had 3 pregnancies and didn’t know about a lot of these. I do remember with my first I had really sore boobs and that’s when I realised I was probably pregnant. With my other two, I guess my first sign was the crazy tiredness!!
HOW did I manage to forget the sore boobs one!! Will update the list soon! Crazy tirednes is a killer 😉
Oh wow! This was really amazing.
Got to know a lot more from this.
Thank you for sharing!
Wow congratulations lovely! Great to know some of these I didn’t know! X
Thank you! The body is a weird and wonderful thing!
I just think pregnancy is amazing! Women are amazing! Hats off to you all
Haaa, thank you!
Lovely boy you have! I have experienced all of these except no. 9 but, after checking, I wasn’t pregnant. I was kind of hoping it was that but I just happened to have a weakened immune system due to the weather + fatigue from work at the time ?
Aww thank you! Oh no, that is such a common story – pregnancy symptoms can be mistaken for so many other things women face, and they are very tricky to understand until you get that positive test! Thank you for your comment 🙂
Ive only been pregnant twice but each time I completely went off coffee, right from week 2. that is so unlike me that it was a sure sign. I knew with my second child even though the pregnancy test said no.
Hi Debbie! I was the exact same! Coffee and wine…. bleurgh! Thanks for stopping by to comment xx
I was all hanky pankyish a day before ovulation, that was a week ago ?I feel awful sore throat, cramps and I feel light headed , it’s always best to lie down.just yesterday seeing as it was New Years I had a few cocktails ?woke up today having the after taste , I’m always thirsty and my breasts hurt. I’m just waiting for my period in a week to be certain of what’s happening to me. Thank you so much these signs have helped me a lot.
Hi Noma! Sorry for the delay – I missed your comment. Hope you’re ok!
I woke up today out of no where with a sore throat! I literally called my husband and asked him what did he do to me in my sleep! LOL I have never experienced a sore throat before. I have not yet tested positive for pregnancy but I’m in my implantation stage.
Oh my goodness!
Good luck!