When Will I Begin to Feel Pregnant?

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider .

You might suspect you’re pregnant. Perhaps you have taken an at-home pregnancy test and the results are positive. Maybe you didn’t expect this. Now it’s possible you feel overwhelmed and have many unanswered questions. At Avail NYC, we have confidential, caring advocates ready to listen to your concerns and provide the information you need when considering your next steps in an unexpected pregnancy. 

You might be wondering, “How quickly should I expect to feel pregnancy symptoms?” Knowledge is empowering, and here you will learn about common pregnancy symptoms and when you can expect to feel them.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Keep in mind that every pregnancy is different and you may not experience all of the following symptoms. These pregnancy symptom timelines start with the first day of your last period.

Mild cramping: This is often the first symptom a woman has in early pregnancy. It can occur from one to four weeks after the first day of your last period. Sometimes women feel cramping around the time of implantation (when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus lining), which happens ten to fourteen days after conception. Bleeding or spotting can also accompany implantation.

Missed period: Usually four weeks after the first day of your last period, you will miss your next period if you are pregnant.

Feeling tired: Fatigue may begin around week four or five, as your pregnancy hormones rise and cause you to feel worn out.

Nausea and vomiting: About four to six weeks after the first day of your previous period, you may begin to feel nausea and sensitivity to smells, often accompanied by vomiting. Although you might hear the term “morning sickness,” nausea can occur at any time of the day or night. 

Tingling or sore breasts: Changes in your breasts can occur as early as weeks four to six. An increase in hormones may also cause your breasts to feel swollen or tender.

Frequent urination: When you become pregnant, your kidneys produce more fluid and fill your bladder more frequently. You may begin to notice you are making frequent trips to the bathroom between weeks four and six.

Constipation and bloating: Also during weeks four to six, you may start to experience constipation and bloating. This is thought to be from hormones slowing down your digestive system.

Mood changes: Around week six, some women experience unpredictable emotions or abnormal mood swings.

Heartburn: Heartburn feels like burning in your chest. It happens when the valve between the esophagus and stomach relaxes, allowing stomach acid to travel upward into your esophagus.

These are early pregnancy symptoms and the timelines of when it is most common to experience them. Even though each symptom is normal and often manageable, you might be thinking “Am I ready for this? Now what?”

See Us for a Self-Pregnancy Test

Make an appointment today at Avail NYC to see us for a free, self-administered pregnancy test at no cost to you. If the test results are positive, we can also provide a referral to third-party medical centers for a free or low-cost OB/GYN appointment if you wish.

If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, our client advocates are here to help you explore your options. In an unbiased and nonjudgmental environment, we empower you to discover the best decision for you. Our advocates listen and provide answers to your questions in order to support you through each step of the process.

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider .