For many women, a missed period is often the first clue that they might be pregnant. But what happens when other signs appear before that? In a revealing thread on the ‘Ask Women’ subreddit, countless women shared their early pregnancy signs—some expected, others surprising—that tipped them off even before reaching for a test.
1. Heightened Sense of Smell
Several women noticed an unusual sensitivity to odors. Scents they usually loved became overwhelming, even nauseating. One commenter mentioned, “I couldn’t stand the smell of coffee, and I knew something was up because I usually drink three cups a day!”
2. Food Aversions and Cravings
Changes in food preferences are common. Some women reported sudden aversions to foods they normally enjoyed. One user noted, “I hated chicken out of nowhere. Just the thought of it made me sick, and I knew I was pregnant.” Others experienced intense cravings for specific foods.
3. Breast Tenderness
Many described a new or intensified sensitivity in their breasts, different from typical premenstrual symptoms. One woman said, “It felt like an extreme version of PMS, but it started earlier and didn’t go away.”
4. Unexplained Fatigue
An overwhelming sense of tiredness, beyond usual exhaustion, was another common theme. “I couldn’t get through the day without napping. I’m usually full of energy, so I suspected I might be pregnant,” shared one contributor.
5. Mood Swings and Emotional Changes
Unexpected emotional shifts also served as a clue. One woman said, “I found myself crying over commercials. I’m not usually that emotional, so I had a hunch something was different.”
6. Metallic Taste in the Mouth
Some women reported a strange metallic taste, a lesser-known symptom. “Everything tasted like I was sucking on pennies. That’s when I knew,” one woman recalled.
7. Nausea Before Missed Period
While morning sickness typically sets in around six weeks, some experienced nausea early. “I woke up feeling queasy for days before I even missed my period,” mentioned one user.
8. Increased Basal Body Temperature
For women tracking their ovulation, a sustained rise in basal body temperature was a key sign. One user said, “I noticed my temperature stayed elevated, which was unusual for me.”
9. Vivid Dreams
Unusually intense or vivid dreams were another common clue. One woman noted, “My dreams were so real and strange, I woke up feeling like I lived another life.”
10. Heightened Intuition
Some women spoke of an unshakeable gut feeling. “I just knew. Call it mother’s intuition, but I felt it before any symptoms showed up,” said one participant.
Beyond the Test: Trusting Your Body’s Signals
These stories highlight the many ways a woman’s body can signal pregnancy before the standard test confirms it. While each experience is unique, they underscore an important point: Women often know their bodies well enough to sense when something extraordinary is happening.
For those on the journey of trying to conceive or suspecting pregnancy, paying attention to these subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) signs can offer early clues. However, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional for confirmation and guidance.
Have you ever experienced a surprising early sign of pregnancy? Share your story—every experience is a valuable part of this shared journey!
#1
I ate everything. I had been doing IVF unsuccessfully. We were on our fourth IVF cycle but I refused to test until the day before the blood test at the doctors. I was also a very light eater.
It was Sunday, and as I did every Sunday I walked the dog and picked up an egg and cheese on a bagel sandwich for breakfast. I normally would eat half and save the other half for when my husband woke up. I ate the whole thing…
When my husband woke up and discovered no half breakfast bagel he started to make a sandwich for an early lunch. I asked him to make me a sandwich too…
We decided to go to the movies and got a large popcorn and soda to share. The popcorn bucket was on my lap. My husband didn’t have much popcorn but an hour in he reached down into the bucket, and hit bottom. I had eaten the majority of the popcorn…
As we left the theater I asked my husband where we were planning on going to dinner and recommended a restaurant to him for an early dinner.
He look at me and asked me if I thought I was actually pregnant this time. “Don’t Say That!” I yelled.
Dinner at the restaurant was delicious. I also had dessert.
By the way, it was twins. They’re almost 15.
#2
#3
I felt great! My skin was clear, my hair was behaving, I had no cramps, no bloating, no headaches, no muscle aches - none of my typical PMS symptoms which usually kick up about 5-7 days before my period. I was one of those happy, glowing pregnant people, which sounds like I’m gloating but it’s in opposition to the swamp witch I usually am. Lol.
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#4
I went to reach for my smokes and realized I could not smoke. It wasn't a thought. It was a rolling, physical YUCK! We found out a couple of weeks later tha I was pregnant. I didn't smoke again for 28 years. No withdrawals. Nothing. I became a non smoker instantly.
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#5
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#7
My cat followed me for a week straight (normally does their own thing with periods of affection).. every time I sat down, he laid on my belly and appeared to be “smelling my breasts”. My dog didn’t even seem to notice… not that early anyway.
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#8
I was super flexible at yoga. I am not flexible at all. I remembered that once we had a pregnant woman in our class and our instructor told her to go easy because she had hormones that were making her flexible and she could injure herself.
I did the test and bingo.
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#9
I cried, I mean really cried, reading an article about a cow that had survived a hurricane and being washed to sea.
I’d been trying for years, and had given up. I absolutely have a habit of getting emotional over animals. But my friend turned around, looked me dead in the eye and said, “You’re pregnant.” She said it with such certainty that I took the test the next day.
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#10
My husband went to give me a back rub and I told him if he touched me I would divorce his butt then 2 second later I was hysterically crying because I felt bad that I didn’t want to be touched and I threatened to leave him. He said babe I think your pregnant then I told him to shut his stupid mouth then started crying again.
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#11
I suddenly got overheated all day, no reason at all. It was a odd feeling, a feeling I never felt before, 1st baby. When it happened with my second baby, I knew immediately I was pregnant. Those were happy days.
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#12
#13
I walked into work and got told I was glowing. A customer came in and told me I was glowing. Then the manager told me I was glowing. I got out of work and took a test, and it came back inconclusive so I took another one the next day and it said it was positive. 3 people telling you you’re glowing when you feel like biting heads off was the first sign.
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#14
#15
First time it was my teeth became more sensitive than normal. I ate an apple and almost cried bc it hurt and my friend was like “you’re prob pregnant.” Second time I couldn’t stay awake at work. My coworker was like “buy a test on the way home.”.
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#16
#17
Super weird, but I had like waxy buildup on one of my nipples. It was just like a little white clump. I looked it up, and it was listed as an early sign of pregnancy. We had been trying to get pregnant but hadn’t had a positive test yet. Tested positive a few days later!
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#18
#19
It was weird but I just felt something in my body. It seems impossible but I could feel it. I kept taking tests that came up negative and I said to my husband “I’m really worried because if I’m not pregnant I might have cancer”. Luckily the test was positive a few days later.
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#20
I was still breastfeeding my baby (she was about 11 months old) and she abruptly started refusing the breast. As soon as the milk started flowing she’d yank her head off and away. I was devastated - hadn’t been planning to wean her yet - but shortly after, discovered I was pregnant. I hadn’t used birth control because I had been told that pregnancy was unlikely as long as the baby was primarily breastfed. Oops.
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#21
With my first born
I woke up one morning and did NOT want coffee. Like it didn't sound good and I couldn't imagine drinking it.
With my second born, I developed hyper-smell overnight. My deodorant was too strong, the new candle I had bought and loved suddenly repulsed me and the fridge suddenly stunk. That and my kitty cat started jumping into my lap to snuggle. The only other time she ever did that was at the beginning of my first pregnancy, so I knew. Such good memories.
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#22
Very TMI but my pee smelled so damn strong! I drink A LOT of water so I noticed immediately. On a regular day I just go, use our bidet, and carry on. After the third extra fragrant trip to the bathroom I googled bc I didn't have any UTI symptoms just the strong smell.
The ammonia ( i think its ammonia iirc) in your body increases.
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#23
It was 2 days before Christmas, a week earlier I’d told my BF that I thought I had a stomach bug because I was really nauseated. A few days after that I thought my period was coming because my boobs were really sore. So Dec 23, we were at his mother’s house for a pre-Christmas brunch, drinking mimosas, and I go to the washroom, as I’m peeing I think… where is my period? When was my last period? I don’t know… boobs are still sore… still have a topsy turvy tummy…. Eff.
When we left I asked him to stop at a pharmacy saying I needed to pickup some last minute things. I get the test, we go home and I go straight to the washroom. That thing lit up immediately, no waiting. Super pregnant.
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#26
I was falling asleep walking from how tired I was. I wasn’t hungry and when I was my body only accepted one kind of food. I miscarried not long after but that’s how I knew something was up.
I have a cousin and her husband knew before she did. Whenever she is pregnant she really really dislikes her husband. Like hearing him talk is something that makes her annoyed. She said his scent made her nauseous. And so on. So this poor guy pretty much their in the room or tried to make himself as little seen at home as possible so she wouldn’t be as irritated. Once the baby is born they go back to being touchy and things. But yeah everytime she was pregnant he knew before her by the way she was acting towards him. I found this sad but interesting.
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#27
Missing my period usually made me suspicious.
But I could also feel my uterus had ‘hardened’ or firmed up, or something.
The first time I really suspected I was pregnant, I felt my lower abdomen and it did feel firmer. Turns out I was pregnant.
I’ve had three kids, that ‘firm uterus’ thing tipped me off each time. I had a tubal over a decade ago, and if my period is ever late, it’s still the first thing I check.
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