From feeling exhausted to sore boobs… the five secret signs YOU could be pregnant

FEELING a little more tired than usual?

Find yourself rushing for a pee more often than most days?

It could just be a bad night's sleep and one too many coffees to counter the exhaustion.

But, there's another, slightly more terrifying reason... you could be pregnant.

The world is buzzing with the news that Kate Middleton and Prince William are expecting their third child.

The Duchess, 35, is thought to be less than 12 weeks pregnant.

But, Kensington Palace were forced to announce the news earlier than planned because Kate is once again suffering severe pregnancy sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, as she did with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

As a result, the Duchess will have to miss a number of planned royal engagements, though is said to be desperate to feel well enough to take Prince George for his first day at school.

For most mums-to-be at 12 weeks, there's no sign of a tell-tale bump (though it's not unheard of... it might NOT be a food baby).

But, there are a number of subtle signs your body will try and give you in the very early stages of pregnancy.

The most reliable sign is missing your period, but having a lighter period than normal is also a clue.

But, these tell-tale symptoms can also mean you are expecting the pitter patter of tiny feet...

1. Feeling exhausted

Feeling tired is part and parcel of a busy life, right?

Right...mostly!

But, it can be a sign something more is going on... a mini person growing in your tummy, for example.

OK, chances are your exhaustion can be a whole host of things, but it is worth bearing this seemingly innocent sign in mind, especially if you're showing other symptoms (read on).

Baskaran Thilaganathan, a spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists told The Sun Online: "You will feel completely exhausted and that will last about ten to 12 weeks.

"It can start earlier than the morning sickness at about four or five weeks.

"That's to do with the extreme demand pregnancy is putting on your body and how quickly it has to change."

On top of the growing a mini person bit, hormonal changes in your body can also make you feel tired, emotional and even upset.

Unfortunately the only thing you can do about this is to get plenty of rest, make sure you are eating a healthy diet and avoid eating certain foods if you are pregnant.

2. Feeling sick

Yep, the horrible rumours are true.

Feeling sick is a well-known sign of pregnancy.

But while it's called morning sickness the reality is it can hit you at any point during the day.

Prof Thilaganathan, said feeling sick usually starts at about six weeks into your pregnancy and eases as it progresses.

He said: "Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is relatively common, the majority of women have it.

MORNING SICKNESS HELL What is hyperemesis gravidarum? Severe morning sickness suffered by Kate Middleton – all you need to know

"Nobody knows precisely [what causes it] but we believe it is related to the hormones in pregnancy and also the amazing changes in the physiology of the body to cope with the pregnancy."

Some women are lucky enough to avoid morning sickness all together while others, like the Duchess of Cambridge, suffer with a very severe form of vomiting and nausea called hyperemesis gravidarum.

Hyperemesis gravidarum can be very serious for both mum and baby, and needs specialist treatment, often in hospital.

3. Sore boobs

It's common for a woman's boobs to feel a little more tender and swollen (yes bigger) than normal when it's that time of the month.

But, if that pain becomes more constant, it can be a sign you need to do a pregnancy test.

"This is quite often the earliest sign," said Prof Thilaganathan.

"The swelling is usually typical to what someone may get towards the end of their cycle just before they get their period.

"The other thing they notice is the areola goes much darker."

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So what causes your breasts to become sore and swollen? Hormones, said Prof Thilaganathan.

He added: ";In the second half of your cycle just before you have your period you produce a hormone called progesterone, which maintains the lining of the womb ready for a pregnancy.

"If you don’t get pregnant that progesterone goes away and the lining sheds and you have your period.

"The progesterone is what is responsible for that swollen feeling towards the end of your cycle and if a woman gets pregnant that swollen feeling is maintained and it increases several fold."

4. Toilet troubles

This may sound like a weird one, but changes in your toilet habits could be a sign you've got a bun in the oven.

Peeing more than normal, and constipation to be exact.

That's because your body is working harder than normal so is producing more waste than normal.

Professor Thilaganathan said: "It is due to the high turnover in your body, your body is working harder and physiologically you are doing more things.

"And it becomes more of a problem later on when the foetus gets to a certain size and it starts to push against your bladder."

5. You've got cravings

It doesn't have to be gherkin ice cream, or a cake topped with tinned tuna, cravings don't have to be weird.

Chances are if you're up the duff you'll just be desperate to eat food you've never wanted before.

You may also find you've got a metallic taste in your mouth, lost interest in certain foods that you used to enjoy and be more sensitive to taste and smell.

This happens to most women during their pregnancy but Prof Thilaganathan said experts still don't fully understand why.

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