Early Signs of Pregnancy: What to Expect & When to Test

It is not usually possible for a doctor to tell right away if a woman has conceived. In some cases, early signs of pregnancy, such as spotting or breast tenderness, may be present shortly after conception. However, these symptoms are not always specific to pregnancy, and a pregnancy test is usually needed to confirm conception. Even after a pregnancy test, it may take several weeks for an ultrasound to detect the presence of a fetus.