If you’re wondering if you might be pregnant, there are early signs to look out for that could indicate pregnancy. However, not every woman will experience every symptom, and some women might not experience any symptoms at all.
While taking a pregnancy test is the only surefire way to know if you’re pregnant, read on to learn some of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
Top Early Signs of Pregnancy
If you think you might be pregnant, the number one sign to look out for is a missed menstrual period. This is because at the moment of conception (when the sperm fertilizes the egg), your body starts making a hormone (progesterone) that stops your period. However, if your periods are irregular, it can be difficult to know if you’ve missed one yet.
The same hormone that causes you to miss your period also causes other early pregnancy symptoms, which might include:
- Morning (and sometimes all-day) sickness. If you’re feeling consistently nauseous when you wake up in the morning or throughout the day, this could be a sign of pregnancy. This is because higher levels of progesterone can cause some women to feel sick or vomit, but not all women experience this symptom.
- Feeling more tired than normal. This might be another sign of early pregnancy due to progesterone’s effects on the body.
- Swollen or sore breasts. Painful and larger than normal breasts can be another sign of early pregnancy. As progesterone kicks into high gear, the breasts can react to this change and become firmer and more sensitive.
Importance of a Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy affects each woman differently, so you may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms. This is why it’s important to take a pregnancy test, as this is the only way to confirm a pregnancy.
Pregnancy tests work by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a special hormone that’s only produced during pregnancy, in your urine. And they’re 99% effective if taken correctly (at the right time). Since your body begins producing hCG at the moment of conception (when the sperm meets the egg), hCG levels can be detectable in urine as early as 6-10 days after conception (right around the time you would miss your menstrual period).
Next Steps
These early stages of wondering whether or not you’re pregnant can feel full of stress and anxiety. But you’re not alone. At Alexandrina Pregnancy Center, we’re here to support you with free pregnancy resources, like a pregnancy test and limited ultrasounds, and a listening ear.
Contact us today for a confidential appointment in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment.