You may experience all the signs of early pregnancy, grow hopeful that you are pregnant, and still not be. Or you may have hardly any symptoms and be definitely pregnant. The truth is pregnancy signs and symptoms are mere clues. Do not ignore them but at the same time don't bank on them either. Further confirmation with a visit to your clinic is very necessary if you suspect a baby is on the way! Here are three categories of pregnancy signs which translate to you being possibly or probably or positively pregnant!

The Possible signs

These are signs that are experienced by the woman herself but because these are feelings as reported by the woman which are not confirmed by medical evidence, they cannot be considered definite indicators of pregnancy

Absence of or missed menses (amenorrhea)
When: Soon after conception
Other causes of a no-period situation include hidden fear of an unwanted pregnancy, fatigue, stress, hormone problems, illness such as thyroid gland disturbances, extreme weight gain or loss, recent childbirth, breastfeeding, going off the pill and travel

Morning sickness
at any part of the day with or without the vomit
When: as early as 2-3 weeks after the LMP
Other causes are infection, food poisoning, emotional distress and a host of other illnesses

Frequent pee
When: as early as the first day of a missed period
Other causes are UTI, diabetes, stress, diuretics

Tender, swollen breasts
When: as early as few days after conceiving
Other causes include impending menstruation, birth control pills

Nipple changes (areola darkens and the tiny glands look more visible)
When: first trimester
Other causes are hormonal imbalance, the effects of a previous pregnancy

Food cravings
When: first trimester
Other causes include poor eating habits, upcoming period and stress

Fatigue and sleepiness
When: early weeks after conception
Other causes are overwork, late nights, and a lack in certain nutrients

Loss in appetite
When: early weeks after conception
Other causes include stress, constipation, and a lack of sleep

The Probable Signs

These are signs felt by the mother which can be documented when she is physically examined by a doctor i.e. growth of the uterus

Color change in the tissues of the vagina and cervix to purplish blue
When: first trimester
The other cause can be pegged to your impending periods

Softening of cervix and uterus
When: 6 weeks
The other cause can be because of the delay in your periods which are due any day now

Uterus and abdomen size (becomes bigger)
When: 2-3 months after conception
The other cause can be because of other growths such as fibroids, tumor instead of a fetus

Fluttering in the lower abdomen
When: 16-22 weeks
Other causes are gas, bowel contractions

Pregnancy tests

When: preferably about 10 days after conception
Blood and urine testing are not 100% full-proof in determining pregnancy. (In the recent past, these tests have proven to be 99% accurate in detecting hCG, a hormone produced by the blastocyst [a clump of cells result when the sperm and egg fuse] and later by the placenta.) Hence a positive result following the test is considered as a probable sign and not a positive one. It is advisable to follow up with a visit to the doctor's office. The most striking changes affected by pregnancy occur in the reproductive organs so the results from a check of these organs can convert a probable pregnancy to a positive one.

The Positive Signs

These signs are a direct consequence of an embryo growing inside the mother. Changes in the cervix, vagina and uterus can still be due to other reasons. However the presence of the fetal heart rate and ultrasound images of a live embryo will ascertain a pregnancy and rule out all other possibilities.

Visualization of embryo or gestational sac through ultrasound
When: one to one and a half months following conception

Fetal heartbeat
When: 9th - 12th week using a Doppler
16th - 20th week using a fetoscope

Fetal Movement (quickening)
When: 20th week of pregnancy felt by a third party (doctor)

A special note:
There are instances where it can be very confusing for the overly-anxious woman: she may be pregnant and yet 'menstruate' in the early months. These menstrual periods differ from the usual in that they are shorter and scantier in flow. A woman may bleed for 3 days instead of the normal 5 at the time when her period is due. It doesn't stop there for some. In the following month she may bleed for half a day and maybe for an hour in the month after that. Alternatively, a woman may experience menses-like cramps without bleeding at the time of her period. This discomfort may last for 3-4 days then stops with no sign of bleeding. It is best to put your mind at rest by visiting your doctor or with a home pregnancy test first before a visit to the clinic, whichever convenient. A visit to the doctor at the earliest is necessary for the health of mother and baby.