Many people say they “knew” they were pregnant before the test showed it. A tingling, warmth, fatigue, or unusual sensitivity. It sounds almost mysterious — but the truth is, the body begins to change even before a test can detect it.

After the embryo implants in the uterus, levels of the hormone hCG start to rise. Even when the amount is still low, some people are especially sensitive to these shifts. Progesterone also increases, affecting both body and mood — causing bloating, tender breasts, or a sudden need for rest.

It’s important to remember, though, that these sensations don’t always mean pregnancy. The same changes can occur naturally after ovulation, since your hormones follow a similar pattern whether or not fertilisation has taken place. The body is preparing — sometimes for an embryo, sometimes for a new cycle.

Some people feel nothing at all, and that’s equally normal. The body’s messages differ from person to person, and there’s no single “right” way to experience the early days.

Alma’s advice:

• Listen to your body, but try not to analyse every sign.

• Both stillness and sensation can mean your body is doing what it should.

• You don’t have to know everything right away — your body will tell you in time.

In the space between uncertainty and hope, your body shows its wisdom — sometimes in whispers, sometimes in silence.