Most women know that the first sign of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation; however, if you have an irregular period it may be difficult to know if you are pregnant or not. Learn to recognize other symptoms that may prompt you to see your gynecologist or use a home test.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Early Signs
Step 1. Beware of implantation leaks
Spotting or light bleeding 6-12 days after your last period could indicate that a fertilized egg has taken root in the uterine wall.
- Some women complain of cramps similar to those that occur with menstruation.
- Bleeding can be confused with light bleeding, especially if you have an irregular period.
Step 2. Monitor breast pain
Swollen and painful breasts are a sign of hormonal changes occurring within 1-2 weeks of conception; you may feel that your breasts are heavier or fuller.
- If you have breast pain frequently, evaluate the rest of the symptoms to determine if there is a good chance you are pregnant.
- In some women, the breasts even increase by a bra size within a few weeks of fertilization; if you notice this phenomenon, you may be expecting a baby.
- The areolas can also become darker due to pregnancy-related hormonal changes.
Step 3. Observe the feeling of exhaustion
As your body adjusts to the new conditions, you may begin to feel tired and sluggish; this symptom manifests itself quite early, within 1 week of conception.
- Fatigue is the consequence of the increase in progesterone which causes sleepiness.
- If there is a likelihood that you may be pregnant, avoid counteracting this symptom with caffeine; it is not proven that this substance is dangerous, in the early stages of gestation, but if it is consumed in excess, it can cause a miscarriage. The exact harmful dosage is unknown, but the upper limit is typically set at 200 mg.
Step 4. Expect nausea
This morning discomfort can manifest itself around the second week and persist until the eighth; if you start to feel bad on a regular basis, it's time to take a home pregnancy test.
- Nausea can also be accompanied by an aversion to food; some of your favorite foods could trigger such discomfort when you are expecting a baby.
- Nausea is not always accompanied by vomiting.
- You may develop a very sensitive sense of smell; even the smells and scents you have enjoyed so far could trigger nausea.
Step 5. Pay attention to cravings or aversions to food
Hormones alter the desire for certain foods in particular, even in the early stages of pregnancy; you may be craving strange food pairings you've never wanted before, or the dish you loved so much now makes you nauseous.
- You may also feel a metallic taste in your mouth; it is a completely natural event.
- Many women report feeling disgusted by the scent of coffee, even if they were fond of this drink before becoming pregnant; if you feel the same, maybe you are expecting a baby.
Step 6. Monitor for headaches, back pain and frequent urge to urinate
These symptoms are typical of the early stages of gestation and are caused by a combination of hormones, an increase in blood volume and changes in kidney function.
- You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen to find some relief from back and head pain. Although ibuprofen is considered safe for pregnant women, some gynecologists recommend using it only under strict medical supervision.
- Consider treating pain with home remedies instead of drugs; for example, you can take a hot bath, use a warmer or get a massage.
Part 2 of 2: Run the Test
Step 1. Determine if you have two or more early symptoms
If so, buy a home pregnancy test. Almost all models involve dipping the end of a stick in a container with urine or keeping it under the flow of pee; within a few minutes the stick should show the result by changing color, showing a symbol or the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant".
- Most home tests are not reliable and safe until the fifth week of pregnancy.
- The instructions for use may vary depending on the model: follow the instructions on the test package you bought.
- These devices work by detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone associated with gestation.
Step 2. Repeat the test after a week or go to the gynecologist
Although these home devices rarely give false positive results, they can still show false negatives, especially in the first few weeks of pregnancy. If you think it's been a couple of weeks since the implant, you should undergo the examination twice.
- Test the first thing you do in the morning, when your urine is most concentrated; drinking too much fluids before the exam could lead to false negative results.
- False positives can occur when there are hormonal changes related to menopause or when receiving hCG injections as an infertility treatment.
Step 3. Make a doctor's appointment
If you continue to have positive tests or symptoms persist despite the negative result, call your gynecologist. Blood tests can detect pregnancy faster than home tests that rely on urine.
- The sooner you get confirmation of your status, the sooner you can evaluate the options available; your doctor can discuss the different possibilities with you.
- If you wish to carry the pregnancy to term, the gynecologist places you in the antenatal care program.
