Can You Tell Right Away If You Are Pregnant

Taking A Pregnancy Test

If you think you might be pregnant, or you are just not sure, a pregnancy test would be the most helpful thing to do in the first instance. Pregnancy test kits are available from pharmacies and are relatively inexpensive. Alternatively, you could have a pregnancy test carried out at your GP surgery, although you may need to book an appointment. Some Family Planning Clinics, and some Sexual Health Clinics also provide pregnancy testing without charge.

The pregnancy tests available from the pharmacies are very similar to those used at the doctors surgery. The test is performed on a urine sample passed at any time during the day and can be done at any point from the first day after your period was due. This test takes just a few moments to provide a result, and will come with instructions to help you interpret the results.

Plan Ahead Before You Have Your Baby

• Find out what’s in store throughout pregnancy. The list you’re reading now gives you a feel for what happens in early pregnancy, but what else should you expect? Get a sneak peek at the months ahead with our quick pregnancy overview.
• Figure out your finances. They’re worth every penny, of course, but babies cost money. Use our baby cost calculator to get a feel for how expensive your bundle of joy is going to be in the first year. Then do what you can to get your bucks in a row.
• Get your ultimate pregnancy to-do list. Are you a planner? Do you want details? Look no further than our mega pregnancy checklist for the nitty-gritty on all your pre-baby tasks from conception until your due date.
• Brainstorm baby names. Finding the perfect baby name is one of the most exciting parts of the pregnancy journey though it can be a bit overwhelming. You don’t need to choose a name anytime soon , but it can be lots of fun to start a list of possibilities. Read up on how to pick a name and the pitfalls to avoid, and then browse our baby name inspiration lists and search for names in our Baby Names Finder.

Will You Notice Early Signs And Symptoms When You’re 1 Week Pregnant Or 2 Weeks Pregnant

Your journey through pregnancy has officially begun, but as mentioned above, youâre not actually pregnant yet. Remember that healthcare providers calculate your pregnancy as 40 weeks, or 280 days, from the start of your last period. So, if you have a typical 28-day menstrual cycle, the first two weeks are mainly just Aunt Flo doing her thing.

But after two weeks, other things start to happen.

• One of your ovaries will release an egg around 14 days after the first day of your last period.

• The egg will travel down one of the fallopian tubes where it may unite with sperm.

Itâs worth noting that sperm can live inside your body for up to five days, and your egg has a lifespan of up to one day. This means your window of fertility is about five days before you ovulate to one day after.What this all means is that you wonât feel any of those very early signs of pregnancy in weeks 1, 2, or possibly even 3. If you have yet to conceive, then it makes sense that you wouldnât notice anything!

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When Should You Take A Pregnancy Test

Its usually recommended that you take a pregnancy test after youve missed your period. This is because pregnancy tests measure the level of human chorionic gonadotrophin in your body, which is a hormone that starts to build up when you conceive. It can take around three to four weeks from the first day of your last period for there to be enough hCG in your body to show up on a test.

Implantation And Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy tests are very specific about their timing because they test for the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin . Because hCG is produced by a developing placenta, the body cannot produce it until after implantation happens.

This is why the levels of hCG in the body vary depending on how long after implantation you take a pregnancy test. In the very early stages of pregnancy, there is very little hCG in the urine because there hasn’t been enough time between implantation and testing for it to build up in the body.

A pregnancy that has been implanted four days prior to the expected start of your period is just beginning to send signals to the body. Testing this early is usually not recommended unless there is a very specific reason, as false negatives can occur.

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Is Plan B Right For You

There are some cases in which Plan B or other morning-after pills are less effective, such as in people who are overweight. The drug also may not be as effective for people who take certain medications. These include anticonvulsant drugs, antibiotics, the tuberculosis treatment rifampicin, the antimicrobial drug Mycobutin , Grifulvin V for treating certain skin infections, and St. Johns wort, a dietary supplement sometimes used to treat depression.

People who have abnormal vaginal bleeding or may be allergic to any of the pill’s ingredients shouldn’t take Plan B. And if you know you’re already pregnant, you should not take Plan B. However, don’t worry if you take the drug and then discover that you’re expecting it won’t harm your pregnancy.

Round The Clock Peeing Increased Urination

Bolting for the bathroom at every turn is something many women assume happens only in later pregnancy, when the uterus is big enough to press on their bladder. But its also a common symptom in the first few weeks, Dr. Ross says.

Thats because the hormone hCG increases blood flow to your pelvis, and the extra fluid volume can trigger the need to urinate more.

If the urinary frequency is accompanied by pain or cloudy urine, though, its possible you have a urinary infection and should be checked, Taylor says.

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The Mums Who Didn’t Know

If you’re feeling a bit out of touch with your mother’s intuition hearing those stories, fret not!

Loads of our mums were totally clueless about the fact they were pregnant until the test confirmed it.

Like PinkToothbrush who says: “1st time round I had no idea. I didn’t really ‘feel’ pregnant until the bump started to appear…”

And gazsgirl reveals: “Nope, I had no clue at all, was suffering all the usual signs and felt just as I do before arrives.

Take Care Of Your Body

Its also important so you can make good choices for your body to support your pregnancy and give your baby a healthy start in life. If you discover you are pregnant, you should follow the guidelines below.

Start prenatal vitamins

Prenatal vitamins include an extra amount of folic acid, which is important for the development of your babys brain and nervous system. Ask your doctor what type of prenatal vitamins they recommend.

Avoid alcohol and certain medications

Avoid alcohol and certain medications if you are pregnant. Alcohol significantly affects fetal brain development. Some medications can also cause birth defects. Read more about medications in pregnancy.

Avoid smoking and drugs

Avoid recreational drugs, smoking, vaping, and marijuana when pregnant. These can also cause developmental issues and birth defects in babies. Smoking harms lung development and restricts blood flow to the placenta.

Eat right and exercise

When you let your provider know youre pregnant, you will get helpful information about a healthy diet and exercise during pregnancy. Youll receive a list of foods, activities, and environmental exposures to avoid. Youll receive information about avoiding work-related exposures, too . Your provider will see if you are up-to-date on vaccinations or if there are any other recommended vaccinations you should receive.

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Why Do Men Have Erections In The Morning

The parasympathetic nervous system is active when youre asleep, so erections sometimes happen in your sleep. The term morning wood is actually a misnomer penises can become erect and then flaccid again several times in the course of one night. Youre just more likely to notice it when you wake up.

Vivid Dreams And Nightmares

Those pesky hormones have been blamed for an increase in vivid dreams and nightmares too. But there is also another explanation. A pregnant womans sleep is often broken during pregnancy, whether its from those midnight bathroom runs, baby movement or cramps. And the more recent a dream is, the more likely it will be remembered.

A study published in Sleep Medicine reported that 43.5 percent of pregnant women experienced vivid dreams during pregnancy.

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How Long It Takes To Get Pregnant

This is a slightly different question but one that many people wonder about. If you do get pregnant in a given month, how long after you had sex did it happen?

First, keep in mind that fertilization of the egg isnt pregnancy. Any couple that has gone through IVF treatment and had an embryo transfer that didnt stick can tell you this. For pregnancy to happen, an embryo needs to implant itself into the endometrial lining.

Second, sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to five days. This means if you have sex at 10 p.m. on Monday, but ovulation doesnt occur until 7 a.m. on Thursday, fertilization of the egg can still occur, though is less likely.

However, if you had sex on Friday, and Friday is the day you ovulate, fertilization may happen for up to 12 hours. After 12 hours, it is unlikely that the ovum will be fertilized. Regardless of when fertilization takes place, the uterus is primed for embryo implantation between 7 and 10 days after ovulation.

Taking into account how long sperm survive and the time it takes for fertilization and implantation, you can be pregnant as soon as seven days after you had sex or as long as 15 days.

Sometimes, women will wonder if they already are having pregnancy symptoms the day after they have unprotected sexual intercourse. They may feel pregnant, but those feelings are not related to any possible fertilization or pregnancy. You wont have actual pregnancy signs or symptoms until after implantation occurs.

Most Symptoms Don’t Show Up Until After You Miss A Period

• Unintentional Pregnancy

While some pregnancy symptoms start very early, most of the time, you won’t notice anything right away. Anything that happens immediately after having sex, like spotting, increased discharge, or feeling tired or nauseated, is usually unrelated to pregnancy.

Other than a missed period, pregnancy symptoms tend to really kick in around week five or six of pregnancy. One 2018 study of 458 pregnant people found that 72% detected their pregnancy by the sixth week after their last menstrual period.

Symptoms, such as breast tenderness and morning sickness, tend to develop abruptly. Typically this happens about two weeks from when you missed your last period . Occasionally you will hear of someone who has symptoms right around their first missed period, but this timing is less common.

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What Are Some Less Common Signs Of Early Pregnancy

There are some additional signs of early pregnancy that arent as common. Just like with the most common symptoms, these signs of pregnancy may or may not happen. Its important to remember that everyone is different and experiences signs of pregnancy differently.

Less common signs of early pregnancy can include:

Youre Regularly Becoming Nauseous

We arenât talking about that nasty feeling you get after a greasy meal but chronic bloating and/or a recurring upset stomach. Nausea during pregnancy, often referred to as âmorning sickness,â usually starts around a month after you become pregnant. You may also develop intense desires for particular kinds of foods or suddenly become averse to foods youâve historically enjoyed. This nausea may or may not involve vomiting, so itâs important to note both kinds. If youâve been sick to your stomach for several days or nights and you arenât sick, pregnancy could be the reason.

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When To Tell Your Parents You’re Pregnant

When to tell your parents youâre pregnant depends on personal circumstances, but some popular times include:

• As soon as possible. Some people like to tell their entire inner support circle right away, and that might include your parents.

• After telling your partner. If you want your partner to be the first to know, your parents are usually the next in line, and it might be fun to surprise them together!

• After the standard ultrasound. Using the sonogram photo is a great way to announce your pregnancy to your parents, so you might want to wait until after your ultrasound.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Vs Pms: Whats The Difference

Most early pregnancy symptoms before your period are strikingly similar to the side effects of PMS. However, youll only notice changes in your areolas if youre pregnant. A consistently elevated BBT and creamy vaginal discharge post-ovulation are also both relatively reliable signs of conception, but theyre certainly not foolproof.

Otherwise, the only way to know if other early pregnancy symptoms are due to a baby or PMS is to hold out until you can take a pregnancy test.

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How Far Along Am I

Knowing how far along you are in pregnancy is helpful for both you and your healthcare provider. Your provider will use this information to check on your babyâs growth and development, keep an eye on your health, and schedule tests and exams.The weeks of pregnancy can be grouped into three trimesters:

• First trimester: 1 to 13 weeks

• Second trimester: 14 to 27 weeks

• Third trimester: 28 to 40-42 weeks .

Check out the illustration below to see how far along you are in your pregnancy:

Are You More Tired Than Usual

• A: Yes, in fact, a freight train roaring through my bedroom couldnt wake me up lately.
• B: No, not more than usual.

If you answered A: Heres another one of those wait-for-your-period-and-see moments: Fatigue can just as often come with PMS as with early pregnancy.

If you answered B: Bank your sleep now as pregnancy and parenthood are equal parts exhausting and exhilarating!

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Warning Signs During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of great change for your body, and in your life, as you get ready for your baby to arrive. It also can be a time when you may be worried about some of the changes you are experiencing, and you want to know when you should seek help.

Most changes in your body are likely to be a normal part of pregnancy. Most pregnancy health issues are mild and common. However, some signs can indicate that things may not be going well, and could point to a more serious pregnancy complication.

Some of these symptoms may appear at different stages of your pregnancy others might occur at any time. Even if you are not sure about your symptoms but think that something just doesn’t feel right with your own or your baby’s health, it’s important to get it checked out.

Contact your doctor, midwife or hospital immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

When To Announce Your Pregnancy To Friends Coworkers And Acquaintances

When do people announce their pregnancy to other friends, bosses, coworkers, and casual acquaintances? These groups are typically the last to know, and you can share your news with them whenever you want! A baby announcement at work might look different than a casual social media post. Still, here are a few popular timings:

• After the standard ultrasound. A cute little photo or social media post of your sonogram is a great way to announce your pregnancy. Plus, you might feel itâs safe to share your news with your wider circle by that time.

• As you start to show. Once you start showing, itâll be tricky to hide the news from friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. When your belly bump arrives might be the time to announce your pregnancy.

• With a birth announcement. For casual friends or acquaintances that you see only once in a while or interact with on social media, you might want to wait until your baby is born and send or post a birth announcement.

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Varicose Veins And Leg Oedema

Varicose veins of the legs are very common in pregnancy due to a combination of factors, including increased volume of circulating blood during pregnancy, and pressure of the pregnant uterus on the larger veins. This increased pressure on the veins can also result in swelling of the legs that can cause pain, feelings of heaviness, cramps and other unusual sensations.

If you have varicose veins, it is recommended that you:

• Wear support stockings.

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Other Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings changes in your hormonal balance. And that can cause other symptoms that include:

• Frequent urination. For many women, this starts around the sixth or eighth week after conception. Although this could be caused by a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or using diuretics, if you’re pregnant, it’s most likely due to hormonal levels.
• Constipation. During pregnancy, higher levels of the hormone progesterone can make you constipated. Progesterone causes food to pass more slowly through your intestines. To ease the problem, drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat plenty of high-fiber foods.
• Mood swings. These are common, especially during the first trimester. These are also related to changes in hormones.
• Headaches and back pain. Many pregnant women report frequent mild headaches, and others experience back pain.
• Dizziness and fainting. These may be related to dilating blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and lower blood sugar.

A pregnant woman could have all of these symptoms, or maybe have only one or two. If any of these symptoms become bothersome, talk with your doctor about them so you can make a plan to offset them.

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