How To Know If I Am Pregnant

My Stomach Feels Weirddoes Your Stomach Hurt In Early Pregnancy

It depends on what you mean by hurt.

In general, the kinds of pain youll experience in your belly or lower abdomen in early pregnancy are related to:

• Nausea usually happens between two and eight weeks after conception2
• Cramping these can feel similar to pre-menstrual cramps and can be a sign of implantation2
• Bloating and abdominal discomfort similar to PMS symptoms

Below I talk a little more about nausea, which is common in early pregnancy .

So in the sense of feeling nauseous, yes, your stomach can hurt. Some women also feel some light cramping at the very beginning of their pregnancy, which may or may not be accompanied by spotting . This usually occurs around the predicted time of the period or a couple of days before.

How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Treated

There are several ways that an ectopic pregnancy can be treated. In some cases, your provider may suggest using a medication called methotrexate to stop the growth of the pregnancy. This will end your pregnancy. Methotrexate is given in an injection by your healthcare provider. This option is less invasive than surgery, but it does require follow-up appointments with your provider where you hCG levels will be monitored.

In severe cases, surgery is often used. Your provider will want to operate when your fallopian tube has ruptured or if you are at a risk of rupture. This is an emergency surgery and a life-saving treatment. The procedure is typically done laparoscopically . The surgeon may remove the entire fallopian tube with the egg still inside it or remove the egg from the tube if possible.

What Complications Are Linked To Multiple Births

Anyone can experience complications during pregnancy regardless of how many babies youre carrying. However, most healthcare providers consider multiple pregnancies higher risk than single pregnancies. This doesnt mean that every woman who carries more than one baby during a pregnancy is going to have problems. If youre pregnant with multiples, your provider will want to watch you for possible complications that can happen when you carry more than one baby at once. Your provider will talk to you about each risk factor and frequently check with you to make sure you arent experiencing anything concerning.

Possible complications include:

Fraternal twins always have two placentas. The risks of pregnancies with fraternal twins are similar to those of pregnancies with only one baby. However, the number of possible risks are increased when compared to pregnancies with one baby.

Another complication that can happen in identical twins with one placenta is called twin-anemia-polycythemia sequence . This is due to blood that goes from one twin to the co-twin because of vascular communications at the placental level. In this condition, one twin becomes anemic , whereas the co-twin becomes polycythemic . Several treatments/interventions are performed when this happens.

A third condition that can occur in identical twins with one placenta is called selective IUGR. One twin grows well, whereas the co-twin does not experience much growth.

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How Does Carrying Multiples Affect My Due Date

Expecting twins or triplets is different than expecting one baby in many ways, including the due date. If youre pregnant with multiples, your doctor will use your last menstrual period and an ultrasound to determine your due date. However, every pregnancy is unique and your doctor may recommend delivery prior to the estimated due date. Talk to your provider about when you can expect to deliver twins or triplets.

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.
• Avoid standing for long periods.
• Exercise gently and regularly .
• Lie down to rest with feet elevated, when you can.
• Try massaging your legs.

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Changes In Food Patterns

This can go both ways you might feel cravings towards a particular type of food and aversions towards others. This occurs due to rise in the levels of estrogen in the blood and can happen any time throughout the pregnancy. Food cravings can be satisfied, provided that the items are safe and that you do not overeat.

Breasts In Pregnancy: First Weeks

As we have seen, a clear symptom of pregnancy is swollen and very sensitive breasts. But what about the rest of the pregnancy? Well, as the breasts progress, they will undergo changes. If they were now swollen, between 6 and 8 weeks they will start to grow , something that will last until the end of the pregnancy. They could increase up to two bra sizes. It is important that you buy a good anti-stretch mark cream since both your belly and your breasts will suffer skin tightening that will then have to return to its place and if you do not hydrate them well, stretch marks could form.

In addition, your nipples will grow and darken , unlike the skin of the breasts that due to stretching will become more transparent and the veins may even be noticeable. The areolas will also get bigger and the lumps that we have in them will get bigger. It is the Montgomery glands that are preparing for lactation.

your breasts will likely begin to produce colostrum , so it is normal for you to feel some droplets on your breast.

Finally the breasts will be ready to secrete breast milk and thus give your baby to suckle.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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How Do Multiple Pregnancies Happen

There are two main ways that a multiple pregnancy can happen:

• One fertilized egg splits before it implants in the uterine lining.
• Two or more separate eggs are fertilized by different sperm at the same time.

These two different types of multiple pregnancy result in either identical or fraternal siblings. The difference between identical and fraternal babies goes back to how the multiple pregnancy happens.

Identical twins or triplets happen when a single egg is fertilized and then later splits. These newly divided embryos are identical. Children that are identical multiples will look like each other and be the same sex.

Fraternal multiples develop from separate eggs that are fertilized by a different sperm. Because these are different eggs and different sperm, the genetic material is varied. These children wont look identical and can be different sexes from each other.

In a pregnancy with triplets or more, your babies could be all identical, all fraternal or a mixture of both. This can happen if your body releases multiple eggs and more than one is fertilized. In a case where you have both identical and fraternal multiples, more than one egg was fertilized and then at least one of those eggs also split after fertilization.

When Should I Call My Doctor

A note from Cleveland Clinic

A due date calculator helps you plan for your babys arrival. Keep in mind that a due date calculator is only an estimate. Youll need to see your provider to confirm the date. Your due date may change when you have a prenatal ultrasound. Your provider may even change your due date more than once during your pregnancy, but it usually only changes by a few days. Knowing when to expect your new family member allows you to prepare mentally and physically. An accurate due date also helps your provider monitor your health and the health of your baby.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/07/2021.

References

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When Should I Call My Doctor About A New Pregnancy

If you have missed a period, taken a pregnancy test and gotten a positive result, 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 with at least 400mcg of folic acid. These vitamins are important in early pregnancy because they help in the development of your babys neural tube. The neural tube will become the brain and spine. Many healthcare providers recommend that any women who could become pregnant take folic acid at all times.

If you are 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, hypertension 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.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/01/2020.

References

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

When Will You Start Feeling Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Some women experience symptoms of pregnancy very early on, though many women do not. According to one study of 136 women who ended up having babies, 50% had some symptoms roughly eight days after their missed period, 70% had some symptoms roughly two weeks after their missed period, and 90% had some symptoms one month after their missed period.2

Many early pregnancy symptoms are also very similar to PMS, which can be confusing. I go into more detail about the early symptoms of pregnancy below.

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What Are The Symptoms Of An Ectopic Pregnancy

The early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can be very similar to typical pregnancy symptoms. However, you may experience additional symptoms during an ectopic pregnancy, including:

• Vaginal bleeding.
• Pain in your lower abdomen, pelvis and lower back.
• Dizziness or weakness.

If the fallopian tube ruptures, the pain and bleeding could be severe enough to cause additional symptoms. These can include:

• Fainting.
• Shoulder pain.
• Rectal pressure.

When a tube bursts, you may feel sharp lower abdominal pain. This is a medical emergency and you will need to contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room immediately.

If you realize that you are pregnant and have an IUD in place, or have a history of a tubal ligation , contact your healthcare provider right away. Ectopic pregnancy is more common in these situations.

Where Does An Ectopic Pregnancy Happen

Its considered an ectopic pregnancy whenever the fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus. The egg is meant to travel down the fallopian tubes and imbed itself into the wall of your uterus, where it can begin to develop. In an ectopic pregnancy, the egg implants in one of the structures along the way. The most common place this can happen is within the fallopian tubes. The majority of ectopic pregnancies happen herecalled a tubal ectopic pregnancy. A fertilized egg can also implant on other organs in your abdominal cavity. This is a rarer form of ectopic pregnancy than one that happens in a fallopian tube.

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Early Signs Of Pregnancy

For women who have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period.

If your period doesnt arrive as expected, you may be pregnant, but there can be other reasons for a missed period, such as illness, stress and strenuous activity.

Sometimes women who are pregnant have a very light period, losing only a little blood.

Some of the other early pregnancy signs and symptoms are listed below. Every woman is different and not all women will notice all these symptoms.

How Long Should I Wait Before Becoming Pregnant Again After An Ectopic Pregnancy

You should talk to your healthcare provider about future pregnancies after being treated for an ectopic pregnancy. Although pregnancy may happen quickly after treatment, its often best to wait about three months. This allows your fallopian tube time to heal and decreases the risk of another ectopic pregnancy.

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Dating Pregnancy Using Ultrasound

Ultrasound in the first trimester is the most accurate method of dating pregnancy. During the scan, baby is measured and the age of pregnancy is estimated by comparing baby’s size against recorded averages. If there is a significant difference between gestational age according to LMP and gestational age according to the ultrasound, you may be given a new gestational age and due date based on the ultrasound measurements.

Your pregnancy may also be dated by ultrasound measurement if an LMP formula was not appropriate for your pregnancy for any reason. LMP formulas are not suitable in several situations including the following: LMP is not known or is not certain, birth control pills were taken in the two months before LMP, the menstrual cycle is irregular, you are carrying multiples .

Although the age of pregnancy based on ultrasound measurements is more accurate than the age of pregnancy based on LMP, both are estimates and not definitive statements.

First Response Pregnancy Test Accuracy Vs Date

As you can see above, roughly one in four pregnant women who take this test will get a false negative when they take it six days before the day of their missed period. Five days before the day of the missed period, however, it will be accurate for 96% of women, and 99% of women will get the correct result if they take it four days or less before the day of the missed period.

In general, the accuracy of home pregnancy tests gets better the longer you wait to take them. If you take a test and it comes out negative and you still think you might be pregnant, wait three days and test again. If you test and it’s positive, you’re pregnant.

Other pregnancy tests are also very reliableâthey just can’t be used as early as First Response. Most brands of pregnancy test are accurate from the day of the missed period.

Be sure to follow the testing instructions of the pregnancy test brand that you bought very closely. Different brands have different instructions.

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How Soon Can I Take A Pregnancy Test

A missed menstruation cycle is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Thats why we usually recommend waiting until youve missed your period before taking a pregnancy test. You can purchase low cost, high quality pregnancy tests here. If you cant wait that long and you know the day of your last period we can calculate possible conception and your pregnancy due date.

What Are Early Signs Of Pregnancy

Your symptoms likely wont begin until your fourth week. This is when you may experience mild blood spotting and cramping and when you can expect to miss your period. But, if you are asking yourself, How do I know if Im pregnant, see if you can relate to any of these early indications:

1. Missed Period

According to an American Pregnancy Association survey, approximately 29 percent of women claimed their first sign of pregnancy was a missed period. Missing your period is a common symptom of pregnancy and it often leads women to do a pregnancy test. You may notice some bleeding even if youre pregnant, but it will usually be lighter and shorter than your normal menstrual period.

2. Urinating Frequently

A couple weeks after you conceive, you may have to urinate more. This is because of your pregnancy hormone hCG. This hormone causes an increase in blood flow to your kidneys, which helps them eliminate waste from your body more efficiently. As your uterus is growing more quickly the pressure on your bladder is greater. The amount of urine storage space you have decreases which causes you to urinate more often.

3. Swollen, Tender Breasts

4. Nausea and Sometimes Vomiting

Nausea was the first pregnancy indication 25 percent of women experienced. Although morning sickness doesnt usually hit women until around a month of becoming pregnant, nausea is often felt earlier. Its thought that your pregnancy hormones are what cause nausea, but it isnt quite clear.

5. Spotting

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How Do I Calculate My Due Date If I Had Ivf

If you used embryo cryopreservation and in vitro fertilization to get pregnant, you can use your IVF transfer date to calculate your due date. If your provider transferred the embryos five days after they retrieved your eggs, count ahead 261 days from the transfer date.

If your provider transferred the embryos three days after egg retrieval, count ahead 263 days to determine your due date. On your transfer day, your provider will calculate your due date and share this information with you.

What Do I Do Next

If you would like to speak to someone about your pregnancy symptoms or the possibility of being pregnant, click the chat button below or call us toll free at 1-800-672-2296.

• If you need a free pregnancy test or ultrasound you can use your zip code to find a free pregnancy testing center.
• If you are trying to get pregnant and need help, check out the fertility product and resource guide provided by our corporate sponsor. Review resource guides here.
• Questions about paternity? Call for free paternity info at 1-800-798-0580.
• Trying to conceive? Order Fertility Products

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