How Can You Tell Someone Is Pregnant

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.

Should You Ask If Someone Is Pregnant

While being pregnant is a wonderful occasion for most people, a certain number of women prefer to keep a pregnancy private.

There are multiple reasons for that decision, and theres no need to list them here. If someone wants to keep something private, the polite thing to do is to respect their privacy.

Now, youre probably wondering if you should ask about a pregnancy.

The consensus is you shouldnt ask if someone is pregnant. It can lead to a bad situation for anyone involved, so why try at all?

If you cant help yourself or need to know for specific reasons, by all means, do ask but do so in a gentle way, as we have discussed above.

When Should You Take A Pregnancy Test To Find Out If You Are Pregnant

If you notice at least one common symptom, you can usually determine if you’re pregnant. If you have any of the pregnancy symptoms, you should take a home pregnancy test or see your doctor to confirm the pregnancy. A pregnancy test will most likely give you reliable results one day following your first missing period. However, some women don’t become pregnant until their fourth month and others don’t show any signs of pregnancy for several months. In these cases, it may be necessary to take multiple tests over time.

What are the signs that will let you know you’re pregnant? Many things change about your body during pregnancy. Some of these changes are easy to identify by simply looking in the mirror or through photos, while others might not be apparent right away. Here are the most common signs that you are pregnant:

Changes in your Period: Your menstrual cycle will probably change during pregnancy. On average, women stop bleeding for about three weeks before they get pregnant and then start up again when they are around six weeks pregnant. But this isn’t always the case – some women continue to bleed throughout their pregnancies, while others stop bleeding early but then resume after the baby is born.

Morning Sickness: You might feel nauseous every morning starting from just a few hours after you eat breakfast. This is called “morning sickness” and most women experience it at some point during their pregnancies.

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When To Take A Pregnancy Test

A pregnancy test measures the amount of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone in the urine. This hormone is only present when a woman is pregnant. As the egg grows into an embryo, the cells that surround it and later become the placenta produce hCG.

Planned Parenthood indicate that it is best to take a pregnancy test as soon after a missed period as possible. A pregnancy test may return a positive result as early as 10 days after a person has had sex without contraception. However, it typically takes about 3 weeks before theres enough hCG in the urine to produce a positive pregnancy test.

There are many affordable and reliable pregnancy tests available over-the-counter or online. A home pregnancy test can tell whether you are pregnant in a few minutes, with most claiming to offer almost

1 week after a missed period. Results of a pregnancy test are either positive or negative.

If a woman takes the pregnancy test earlier than 1 week after a missed period, it may give a negative result, even if the person is actually pregnant.

If a person believes they are pregnant despite a negative test result, they should repeat the test after 1 week.

To avoid a false negative result, check the pregnancy tests expiration date, and carefully follow the written directions.

Ovulation: About 2 Weeks Before Your Period

This is your window to become pregnant. About two weeks after your last period is when you ovulate. That means your ovary has released an egg and its hanging around in your fallopian tube waiting for sperm. Youll ovulate for about 12 to 24 hours. If the egg isnt fertilized, itll be reabsorbed by your body.

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Light Spotting And Cramping

Light spotting, also known as implantation bleeding, can occur when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This can happen about 10 to 14 days after conception, around the same time that you are supposed to have your period. Light spotting may also be accompanied by cramping, which can feel similar to menstrual cramps.

If I Have A Negative Pregnancy Test After I Have Missed My Period Does That Mean I Am Not Pregnant

A negative result can mean that you are not pregnant, you took the test too early, or you took the test wrong. Pregnancy tests vary in their sensitivity , and you may not have given your body enough time to produce enough hCG hormones that will show up on the test.

Also, if you let a test sit for too long , the test is invalid. It is best to follow the instructions and wait until you have missed a period before taking the test. Some women show up accurately on a test the day they miss a period, while others may not show up positive until 3-4 weeks after a missed period.

We encourage women to test after a missed period if the result is negative they should wait a week and test again if a normal period has not started.

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A Small Amount Of Bleeding Which Could Be Implantation Bleeding

You may think that if youre slightly bleeding or spotting its a sign your period is on its way, but this can actually indicate a fertilized egg implanting into your uterus or other normal effects of early pregnancy. A quarter of pregnant women experience this spotting, researchers published in the American Family Physician.

According to the National Institutes of Health , spotting generally starts about 6 to 12 days after you conceive.

This spotting may last a few days or can continue for several weeks, or even through the first trimester. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic note that this implantation bleeding might look like a brownish discharge or it may contain small drops of redder blood.

The Most Common Sign Of Early Pregnancy A Missed Period

Your menstrual cycle is your bodys way of preparing for a possible pregnancy each month. Part of that is the thickening of your uterine lining, which is where a fertilized egg would implant to begin a pregnancy.

If youre not pregnant, your period is how your uterus sheds that extra lining. If you are pregnant, that lining stays put and you dont get your normal flow. This is why a missed period is often the earliest sign of pregnancy.

Of course, a delayed or missed period doesnt always mean youre pregnant. If your body is under a lot of stress or you have a hormonal imbalance, you could be experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle.

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The Wheat And Barley Test

One of the earliest, if not the earliest, home pregnancy tests came from Ancient Egypt. In 1350 BCE, women were advised to urinate on wheat and barley seeds over the course of several days if the wheat sprouted, she was having a girl, and if the barley sprouted, a boy. If neither sprouted, she wasnât pregnant. The most interesting thing about this test was that it actually worked: In 1963, a laboratory experimented with the wheat and barley test and found that 70 percent of the time, the urine of pregnant people would cause the seeds to sprout, while the urine of non-pregnant people.

Pain In Your Boobs Sensitive Breasts

Breast tenderness if one of the earliest and most common signs of pregnancy. It occurs as a result of hormonal changes which start the process of getting your milk ducts ready to feed the baby, Ross says.

Your boobs may feel as sore as they sometimes feel before your period, the Cleveland Clinic notes. But other changes may accompany this soreness: Nipples may darken and enlarge. And some women start busting out of their bra because the hormones enlarge breast tissue.

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Keep In Mind A Big Belly Isnt Necessarily Because Of Pregnancy

Even though you now know some women prefer to keep their pregnancy private, you should also know asking point-blank about it may prove awful in certain scenarios.

You may see a woman that gained weight but not because of pregnancy. Asking her if shes pregnant wouldnt be the nicest thing you can do, even if you mean no harm.

Sometimes, having a big belly could be because of medical issues. Once again, asking in this scenario wouldnt be too polite and you might upset someone because of it.

Because of these reasons, we highly suggest asking someone else about a pregnancy.

Drop Hints At A Holiday Party

Whether its Christmas or Hanukkah, Mothers or Fathers Day, or even a relatives birthday, giving were-having-a-baby presents is a creative way to tell people youre pregnant. Great gift ideas: A framed picture of the sonogram, an I Love My Grandma bib, or a cake that says, Happy Birthday, Aunt Lisa .

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If You Have Experienced Baby Loss

Some people who have experienced baby loss decide to tell someone about their pregnancy early. This may be because they feel anxious about going through loss again and need some emotional support.

If you do need support but feel uncomfortable telling anyone you know about your pregnancy, you may like to join our Pregnancy and parenting after loss support group. This is a safe space where you can share your news, but also find support from other people who have been through a similar experience.

Can I Be Pregnant And Still Have A Period

Pregnant women can have some light irregular bleeding during pregnancy, but it should not be like a normal period. Some women can confuse this for their period because often it can come right around the time she was expecting her normal period.

The irregular bleeding or spotting that can occur during pregnancy is often a dark brown or a light pinkish color. It should not be enough bleeding to fill pads or tampons over a few days. If you are bleeding enough to fill pads and tampons, then this would be a good indication that you are probably not pregnant. Learn more about getting pregnant while on your period.

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Can You Confirm Pregnancy From Changes In The Sleep Pattern

A pregnant womans sleep pattern changes owing to the increased levels of progesterone in her body. However, a woman might lose sleep due to a host of other reasons, so it is wrong to conclude that someone is pregnant just because she is not sleeping well.

A combination of the above-mentioned signs can indicate that you are pregnant if only one or two affect you, you are most likely not pregnant. However, do pay the doctor a visit to confirm that you are going to have a baby if you experience some of these symptoms.

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What Should I Do If I Think My Girlfriend Is Pregnant

There are three options for a woman when she learns shes pregnant: 1) parenting, 2) adoption, 3) abortion. It is important to consider the pros and cons of each and to discuss your options with a medical professional.

How can you tell if your girlfriend is pregnant?

This is true whether or not she has symptoms, as not everyone has pregnancy symptoms right away, nor do they always start very early in pregnancy. Other signs of pregnancy can include: Sore breasts. Nausea and or vomiting

When do you know a pregnancy is a trap?

Each red flag is intended to get your attention and help you pause to consider the possibilities. Trap Red Flag #4. She has a lame excuse for going off birth control. If she says she went off of her birth control for a reason other than getting pregnant and she suddenly got pregnantthe pregnancy might be a trap.

How can you tell if your partner is pregnant by spotting?

Some common signs of pregnancy include: Light spotting

Can a woman be afraid to take a pregnancy test?

Its also possible that either of you might be afraid to take a pregnancy test. If you have been trying to conceive, you might feel anxious about getting a negative result. If you were not trying to get pregnant, a positive test could be overwhelming for both of you.

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What Would Early Pregnancy Feel Like

Very early pregnancy symptoms may show up before you miss your period, as soon as a few days after conception, while other early signs of pregnancy might appear around one week after sperm meets egg. Still others often appear a few weeks or so following conception.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start

First, it’s important to note that pregnancy symptoms can crop up at different times in different people. And while some women experience every pregnancy symptom possible, others experience very few of these signs until many weeks into their pregnancies, if at all.

So with that said, here’s average pregnancy symptoms timeline, based on a typical 28-day menstrual cycle:

• About 14 days after your last period: Conception
• 17 or more days after your last period: Sensitivity to smell, tender breasts, fatigue, raised basal body temperature may begin
• 20 to 26 days after your last period: Implantation bleeding, thicker cervical mucus may occur
• 28 to 35 days after your last period: Frequent urination and mood swings may begin missed period
• 35 or more days after your last period: Other pregnancy symptoms may begin at any point during the first trimester.

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Let Her Know Youre Available To Help But Dont Give Unsolicited Advice

Most pregnant women run into people giving unsolicited advice all the time try not to be another fountain of unwanted wisdom for her.

If she asks about something, by all means, go ahead and help.

You can offer to help if help is needed. Just let her know youre there for her .

A simple

If you need something, anything, let me know

is gold. That will be worth a hundred times more than any piece of unsolicited advice.

When Should I Call My Doctor About A New Pregnancy

If youve missed your period and gotten a positive pregnancy test, your next step will be to call your healthcare provider for your first appointment. While scheduling, your provider may ask if you have already started taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid. Prenatal vitamins are important in early pregnancy because they help in the development of the fetal neural tube. The neural tube will become your babys brain and spine. Many healthcare providers recommend that anyone who could become pregnant take folic acid at all times.

If youre planning a pregnancy, a preconception appointment with your healthcare provider is a good place to start. A preconception appointment is especially important if you take medication for a chronic illness or have other medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or lupus.

During this appointment, your provider will discuss any current medical conditions, as well as your general health before pregnancy. This appointment is meant to get you into the best place for a new pregnancy.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

• American Pregnancy Association. Early Signs of Pregnancy. Accessed 7/26/2022.
• Merck Manual Consumer Version. Physical Changes During Pregnancy. Accessed 7/26/2022.
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. Accessed 7/26/2022.
• U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Womens Health. Prenatal Care. Accessed 7/26/2022.

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What Are The Signs Of Pregnancy

The signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. Usually the most obvious sign is the absence of menstruation . However, some women continue to have bleeding even while pregnant. The following are the most common first signs of pregnancy. However, each woman may experience the signs of pregnancy differently. These may include:

• Extreme tiredness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Frequent urination

• Certain food cravings or aversions

• Bloating of the belly

• Darkening of the skin around the nipples .

These early signs may not positively indicate pregnancy, but may actually signal another process happening within the body. A pregnancy test can provide more accurate results.

Staying Healthy During And After Your Pregnancy

Keep all of your healthcare appointments during and after pregnancy. Visit with your healthcare provider for all recommended appointments. If youre concerned about going to your appointments in person because of COVID-19, ask your healthcare professional what steps they are taking to protect patients from COVID-19, or ask about telemedicine options. If you need help finding a healthcare professional, contact your nearest hospital, clinic, community health center, or health department.

• Talk to your healthcare professional about how to stay healthy and take care of yourself and the baby.
• Ask any questions you have about the best place to deliver your baby. Delivering a baby is always safest under the care of trained healthcare professionals.
• You should also talk to your healthcare professional if you think you are experiencing depression during or after pregnancy.
• Get recommended vaccines during pregnancy. These vaccines can help protect you and your baby.
• Get a flu vaccine every year. Others living in your household should also get vaccinated to protect themselves and you.
• Get the Tdap vaccine to protect your baby against whooping cough, which can have similar symptoms to COVID-19. CDC recommends all pregnant people receive a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy. In addition, everyone who is around the baby should be up to date with their whooping cough vaccine.

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