Most people think of the usual early pregnancy symptoms. They picture the common signs of pregnancy like the missed periods, nausea, or tender breasts. But pregnancy does not always follow the “textbook.”

Yes. Some of the very first signs of being pregnant can be so strange or subtle that you might brush them off as nothing. Hence, here we talk about a few unexpected early signs that often sneak under the radar.

Symptoms of Pregnancy that You Might Overlook

1.     Metallic or Strange Taste in Your Mouth

Ever feel like you have been sucking on a handful of coins? Ugh… not very pleasant thoughts, right?

Some women notice a strange or metallic like taste in their mouth during the very early weeks of pregnancy. Suddenly, coffee smells like metal. Or water tastes weird. The odd taste is called dysgeusia.

It can make your favorite foods taste “off” or even make water taste funny. It is caused by hormonal changes. It does sound odd, it is surprisingly common.

2.     Raised Basal Body Temperature That Lingers

If you track your basal (morning) body temperature after ovulation and notice it stays higher for more than two weeks (instead of dipping when period arrives), this could be one of those “very early signs of pregnancy.”

3.     Very Increased Vaginal Discharge

Discharge that is light, whitish and has no smell. Not the kind with itching or bad odor. Just more mucus and more often. This one catches a lot of women off guard.

You might notice more thin and white discharge than usual. This happens even before you miss your period. Your body starts making more and soften the tissues.

It’s your body’s way of protecting the uterus and preventing infections as it gears up for pregnancy. Since it’s odorless and harmless, most people overlook it.

4.     Heightened Sense of Smell / Sudden Smell Sensitivities

Perfumes, cooking smells, even things you'd never notice before might smell too strong now.

This heightened smell is a sign a lot of women experience early in their pregnancy. It is part of hormonal changes.

5.     Nosebleeds or Bleeding Gums

Waking up with a random nosebleed or noticing your gums bleed when brushing? Yep—this can be an early pregnancy thing. Yeah—it sounds weird, but those tissues in your nose and your mouth are highly vascular (lots of blood flow).

Increased blood flow and sensitive blood vessels sometimes make your nose and gums more prone to bleeding. Most women don’t connect it to pregnancy right away, but it can be one of those sneaky signs.

Your gums might bleed when brushing, or your nose might drip blood spontaneously. Not fun, but many people experience it.

6.     Lightheadedness, Dizziness, Faint Feeling

Your blood vessels dilate, blood pressure might drop slightly, and your body is adjusting. Sometimes standing up, bending down, or just waking up can make you feel woozy.

It is often written off as dehydration or low blood sugar. But you know what, it could be pregnancy.

7.     Stuffy or Runny Nose (Pregnancy Rhinitis)

If you keep reaching for tissues but don’t actually feel sick, you’re not imagining it.

Some women develop a condition called pregnancy rhinitis. It is basically nasal congestion that shows up in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Hormonal changes and extra blood flow can make your nasal passages swell. This leaves you with a stuffy or runny nose for no obvious reason.

Early Signs of Pregnancy Before Missed Period

Most people expect to wait until a missed period to suspect pregnancy. But some early pregnancy symptoms before missed period can show up as soon as one week after conception.

These can include:

• A metallic taste in your mouth
• Very early signs of pregnancy 1 week: mild cramping and light spotting (implantation bleeding)
• Unexplained fatigue—feeling wiped out even after normal activity
• Shortness of Breath - Even when you are resting.

These signs of early pregnancy are often mistaken for PMS, which is why so many women miss them.

Super Early Signs of Pregnancy

If you are looking for the super early signs of pregnancy before a missed period, especially around 1 week or 2 weeks post-conception, here are a few more that women often miss:

• Slight abdominal cramps (like period pain but earlier)
• Breast changes (tingling, heaviness, or soreness)
• Sudden food aversions or cravings
• Restless sleep or insomnia
• Feeling unusually warm due to higher basal body temperature

These may not be the same for everyone, but noticing them together could be a clue.

FAQs About Early Signs of Pregnancy You Might Miss

What are the early signs of twin pregnancy?

Some women carrying twins may notice stronger early pregnancy symptoms before missed period. These include more intense nausea, extreme fatigue, or faster weight gain. Not everyone feels it right away. If your signs feel stronger than expected, it could be an early sign of twin pregnancy.

Is diarrhea a sign of early pregnancy?

Yes. For some women it can be. When you get pregnant, hormone changes affect digestion. This is why both constipation and diarrhea may show up as very early signs of pregnancy. If it’s mild and short-term, it can be considered normal. But persistent issues should be discussed with your doctor.

Is horniness an early sign of pregnancy or period?

Many women report a sudden spike in libido around ovulation or before their period. However, for some, increased sex drive can also be an early sign of pregnancy. This happens due to changing hormone levels and increased blood flow. The tricky part is that it can feel similar to PMS.

Can You Be Pregnant Without Symptoms?

Yes. Some women experience pregnancy without signs symptoms in the first few weeks. That’s why a pregnancy test is the only reliable way to confirm.

Still, others might have only mild or strange early pregnancy signs that are easy to ignore.

Do Not Overlook Uncommon Symptoms of Pregnancy

We know that every woman is different and so is her pregnancy. While some women notice early signs of pregnancy before missed period, others may experience uncommon early signs of pregnancy like gum bleeding, mood swings, or discharge.

Paying attention to these subtle signs of pregnancy can give you an early clue before you even see a positive pregnancy test.