How does a woman know that she is pregnant? There are no immediate signals that conception has occurred. However, within several weeks of conception, a woman will probably recognize one or more of these early signs of pregnancy:

• Usually, a missed period is the first indication of pregnancy. This sign is particularly reliable for women who have regular menstrual cycles.
  
• The woman may have a mild ache or feeling of fullness in her lower abdomen.
  
• She may have a sense of fatigue, be drowsy, or occasionally feel faint.
  
• She may need to urinate more frequently than usual.
  
• She may have discomfort or tenderness in her breats.
  
• She may have periods of nausea, especially early in the day.

Any of these physical symptoms can be caused by something other than pregnancy. A woman who notices one- or even several- of these early signs should not conclude that she definitely is pregnant. Rather, she should have a pregnancy test.