What is one of the first signs of pregnancy?

A missed menstrual period is one of the first signs of pregnancy because it often serves as an initial indicator that conception may have occurred. In a typical menstrual cycle, a woman has a predictable pattern of menstrual flow, which is disrupted when pregnancy takes place. When fertilization of the ovum occurs, the body begins to produce hormones, particularly human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), that prevent the shedding of the uterine lining, resulting in the absence of a menstrual period. This change is generally one of the first noticeable signs that prompts women to take a pregnancy test or contact their healthcare provider for further evaluation.

Increased appetite, abdominal swelling, and skin changes, while they can occur during early pregnancy, are not typically among the very first signs. Increased appetite often develops later as the pregnancy progresses and is influenced by hormonal changes and the growing energy needs of the developing fetus. Abdominal swelling might not be noticeable until later in the pregnancy when the uterus expands significantly. Skin changes, such as the darkening of certain areas, may manifest due to hormonal fluctuations but are not initial indicators of pregnancy.