How To Tell If I Might Be Pregnant

Food Cravings And Aversions

10 signs you’re pregnant

These are common throughout pregnancy, and they may result from hormonal and physical changes, rather than shifting nutritional requirements.

The underlying cause of food cravings and aversions is still unclear. Different people seek out and avoid different foods.

Regardless, it is important to take in the right amounts of nutrients and calories.

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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Will You Notice Any Pregnancy Symptoms During Weeks 1 2 Or 3

During weeks one, two, or three, you may not even suspect youâre pregnant and you might not notice any pregnancy symptoms at all, as itâs still very early. Donât worryâthis is common .Missing a period is often the first clue that you may be pregnant, and around the time you miss a periodâor a little laterâyou may start noticing those very early pregnancy symptoms. One common early pregnancy symptom is implantation bleeding, which is light spotting that occurs when the tiny ball of cells attaches to the uterine lining. Not everyone experiences it, but this light bleeding is normal and can sometimes be mistaken for menstrual blood. It usually happens 10 to 14 days after conception.Other signs of pregnancy in the first month can include

  • bloating

  • moodiness

  • frequent urination.

Morning sickness is another common symptom of early pregnancy, but it usually crops up between weeks 4 and 9.Now that you know these early signs of pregnancy, take our quiz to test your knowledge!

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Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy

  • Extreme tiredness
  • Feeling different
  • Feeling emotional
  • These are some of the symptoms you might experience within your first six weeks after conception,2 and organised roughly by when you might expect to experience them.

    There have been many other rarer and less common early symptoms reported as well so keep an eye out for any unusual or unexpected changes.

    Another confusing factor when trying to determine if you are pregnant is that all of the symptoms of pregnancy can be symptoms of other conditions.

    So detecting the very early signs of pregnancy without a test can be tricky, especially if it is your first pregnancy.

    Once you are on to pregnancy two, three, or four, you will more than likely recognize the signs quite quickly. Testing, however, should always be your first course of action, and is especially helpful to confirm your symptoms.

    There are several early signs that can tell you that you may be pregnant. The most obvious is missing your period or having light spotting instead of a proper period.

    How Far Along Am I

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    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:

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

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    Take A Home Pregnancy Test

    The cheapest, easiest, most accessible way to confirm youâre pregnant is with a home pregnancy test. This form of testing can identify a positive pregnancy result as early as two weeks after fertilization, making it one of the fastest ways to learn more about your situation. Youâre probably familiar with how the little stick you buy at the supermarket or convenience store worksâyou bring it to the restroom with you, urinate on it, and wait for the results.

    The test works by looking for human chorionic gonadotropin in your urineâa hormone your body starts to crank out in large quantities shortly after conception. If you test negative on the first try, many pregnancy tests recommend you check again three to five days later. Why? Because hCG can take several days to build up in your body, the first test may accidentally give you a false negative!

    This retest is really important. If your first test suggests youâre not really pregnant , you may not know to reach out to your doctor or physician to get the checkups, vitamins, or medications you need to ensure you and your baby remain healthy. If/when you get a positive resultâwhether itâs on the first, second, or eighth timeâmake sure you take the next step by scheduling a medical visit!

    You Have Elevated Hcg Or Afp Levels

    Early in pregnancy, doctors or midwives may perform common screenings to check hCG levels, a hormone produced during pregnancy. If the levels are high or accelerated, it may indicate a multiple pregnancy.

    An AFP screening occurs later in pregnancy and tests for the proclivity of chromosomal abnormalities or birth defects. This type of testing may be referred to as maternal serum screening, triple screen, quad screen or penta screen.

    Based on the screening result, doctors may recommend further testing. An abnormally high result could be caused by the presence of multiple babies such as twins.

    In either case, unexpected results are cause for further investigation, which could confirm the presence of twins.

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    What Precautions Should You Take During Early Pregnancy

    Even if you havenât spotted any signs of pregnancy very early on, youâll want to do everything you can to stay healthy and safe. In fact, itâs always wise to take some precautions as soon as you start trying to conceive or learn that youâre pregnant.Even simple adjustments can help support you as you start your pregnancy! Though youâll want to consult your healthcare provider to determine whatâs best for you, some worthwhile lifestyle changes and precautions include

    When you start trying for a baby or learn that youâre pregnant, folic acid is essential, as itâs a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of certain birth defects that affect the babyâs brain and spine. Your healthcare provider can recommend a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Pre-pregnancy is also a great time to eliminate some less healthy habits, including

    • smoking

    • exposure to secondhand smoke

    • drinking alcohol.

    In addition, your provider may recommend limiting your daily consumption of caffeine. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best ways to stay healthy and safe when youâre pregnant. For more general advice, download our pregnancy guide!

    When To Worry About Pain And Bleeding

    How to Confirm Pregnancy Without Taking a Test

    When youre pregnant, bleeding and pain are two symptoms to keep an eye on.

    Spotting is normal, says Dr. Jhaveri. We know that 25% to 40% of people will have spotting in early pregnancy, like in the first four to six weeks. However, bleeding is entirely different. Bleeding could be a sign of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, an extremely dangerous condition where the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus.

    Pain can also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Its normal to have cramping as soon as you implant, and its normal to have cramping from being pre-menstrual as well, says Dr. Jhaveri. And cramping for the first four or five weeks of pregnancy is completely normal.

    If youre like, Well, I woke up, and I felt this twinge, thats not what we mean. Severe pain is what were looking for. Something that would interfere with your daily functioning and last longer than 30 seconds. If you have any questions about pain, call your doctor so you can discuss whether you need an evaluation.

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    Food Aversions And Sensitivity To Smell

    Sensitivity to certain smells is a common symptom for pregnant women. You may also find that your tastes have changed for certain types of food.

    Any of the above signs can mean youre pregnant, but there are women who conceive and experience none of them. Likewise, you can experience all ten and not be pregnant. The best way to confirm pregnancy is to schedule an appointment with a provider, preferably your gynecologist.

    If you notice a few of the early pregnancy symptoms above and think you may be pregnant, wait one or two days after your missed period and take a pregnancy test. If the test is negative, wait a few more days and take another, just in case the first was a false negative. If the test is positive, schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN.

    At Baptist Health, were committed to helping women through every stage of their health journeys. If youre trying to conceive or thinking about getting pregnant, read through our preconception to-do list, or if you have an upcoming OB/GYN appointment, learn how you can get the most out of your visit.

    Unusual Feelings And Emotions

    If your emotions feel a little out of balance in early pregnancy, the reason is once again hormones. Its most common in the first trimester, so the feeling of being on an emotional roller coaster will likely settle down after a little while.

    As with other early pregnancy symptoms, you may find that staying active, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a social life can help you deal with these symptoms.

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    How Do You Know If Youre Pregnant

    While the only way to find out for sure is to visit your GP, this quiz will let you know the likelihood of pregnancy based on your current symptoms.

    Can’t see the quiz?

    If you are trying for a baby or think you might have conceived, you’ll probably be on the watch for pregnancy signs. Small changes in the way you feel both physically and emotionally can be detected as early as a week after conception and some women report ‘feeling pregnant’ long before their changing hormone levels are picked up on a test.

    Super Early Signs Of Pregnancy How Soon Can I Tell If Im Pregnant

    You Might Be Pregnant, Heres How To Tell For Sure

    1. Missed Period

    Sometimes the very first indicator for many women, a missed period is normally a good sign that a pregnancy has occurred.

    However, its also not always the case. Periods can be delayed in general by stress or changes to your diet, and bleeding can even still occur throughout pregnancy.

    If you havent yet missed your period, but would like to test early, home pregnancy tests such as First Response can detect pregnancy hormones up to six days prior to a missed period. But this is certainly not guaranteed.

    Its better to wait until your period is actually missed so that your body is making enough hormones to detect and you can get an accurate result. You will also need to make sure you take the test properly.

    Read the full instructions on how to do this towards the end of this page.

    2. Nausea or Vomiting

    Nausea is an extremely common side effect of pregnancy, especially early on. If you find yourself feeling nauseous for no reason you can pinpoint, dry retching or unexpectedly over the toilet, you may want to take a test.

    3. Spotting

    Some women notice very light pink or brown spots of blood around a week two weeks after conception. This is the fertilized embryo implanting into the lining of the womb and is called implantation bleeding.

    4. Dizziness

    Finding yourself needing to sit down often, getting light-headed or wobbly on your feet, and unable to focus on things you normally can could indicate pregnancy.

    5. Headaches

    6. Increased Sensitivity to Smells

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    What Are Five Common Signs Of Pregnancy

    There are several signs of early pregnancy that you could experience. Not everyone will have all of these symptoms, and some women may not feel any of these things. Pregnancy symptoms throughout the entire pregnancy can vary dramatically between women. Its important not to compare your pregnancy to someone elses.

    Common early pregnancy symptoms can include:

    Smell Sensitivity And Food Aversions During Early Pregnancy

    Smell sensitivity is a symptom of early pregnancy thats mostly self-reported. Theres little scientific evidence about smell sensitivity during the first trimester. However, it might be important, since smell sensitivity may trigger nausea and vomiting. It may also cause strong distaste for certain foods.

    You may experience either a heightened or lessened sense of smell during pregnancy, according to 2017 research. This is especially common during the first and third trimesters. Heightened smell is more common than lessened smell. Some smells that never bothered you before may become less pleasing or even trigger nausea.

    The good news is that your sense of smell usually returns to normal after delivery, or within 6 to 12 weeks postpartum.

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    When Do Early Pregnancy Symptoms Start

    Regardless of your feelings about a possible pregnancy, it can be easy to ascribe any sensations you’re having to potential pregnancy symptoms. However, keep in mind that premenstrual syndrome symptoms and those of early pregnancy can be very similarand pregnancy symptoms most often don’t occur until after you’ve missed a period not before.

    Having symptoms a day or two after having sex is usually not a sign of pregnancy. Here are some things to consider as you try to determine if you’re pregnant.

    Irritability Or Mood Swings

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    You could feel oversensitive, grumpy, and tearful due to hormonal changes altering the levels of neurotransmitters or chemical messengers to the brain. This could result in heightened emotions, both positive and negative . But such feelings could be like your PMS symptoms and may not necessarily help in determining pregnancy.

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    Can I Be In Labor And Not Know It

    Every labor, like every pregnancy, is different. For most women, labor will follow along a somewhat predictable path, even as they progress at a different pace. And most often, a moms contractions will help guide her along the way, sending her packing to the hospital when things start getting real.

    Will you know labor when you feel it? Will those contractions tell you what you need to know? Chances are, yes. But if you’re unsure, call your practitioner and get your cervix checked out, so you can run what youre feeling or experiencing by a professional.

    Got a gut feeling that its labor, even though your sources and even your doctor or midwife or the triage nurse at the hospital tell you its likely not? Still get it checked out.

    Missed Period During Early Pregnancy

    Once implantation is complete, your body will begin making human chorionic gonadotropin . This hormone helps the body maintain the pregnancy. It also tells the ovaries to stop releasing mature eggs each month.

    You will likely miss your next period 4 weeks after conception. If you typically have an irregular period, youll want to take a pregnancy test to confirm.

    Most home tests can detect hCG as soon as 8 days after a missed period. A pregnancy test will be able to detect hCG levels in your urine and show if you are pregnant.

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    What Are The Signs And Symptoms When You’re 3 Weeks Pregnant

    When youâre 1 week âpregnant,â you havenât conceived yet, and so thereâs not much going on. That can change by the time youâre three weeks pregnant. Your belly can be a hive of activity, though you may not be able to tell.

    • If the sperm and egg find each other, theyâll join up in a fallopian tube to create a single cell called a zygote in a process called fertilization.

    • The zygote carries chromosomes from the mother and father and sets the first building blocks of your future babyâs genetic makeup.

    • The zygote then moves down the fallopian tube and toward the uterus as it starts dividing into a larger group of cells.

    Although thereâs more activity in your third week of pregnancy, will you feel anything? Probably not. However, read on to learn a bit more about those typical early symptoms of pregnancy and when you might notice them.

    Signs You Might Be Pregnant

    11 weird pregnancy signs and symptoms that you might be pregnant

    Easy ways to tell if you have a bun in the oven.

    Women are really good about knowing when something feels off and that gut instinct definitely comes in handy if you’re trying to get pregnant. Whether you suddenly have weird aversions to foods you used to enjoy or are feeling super lightheaded out of nowhere, here are some easy ways to tell if you have a bun in the oven.

    Feeling a little Jekyll and Hyde-ish in the emotions department lately? That just so happens to be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. “Mood swings can be common and women usually just blow it off thinking it’s from their period,” says , M.D., Ph.D., division director of General Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Montefiore Medical Center. “Because of the pregnancy hormones, mood swings tend to start right away.”

    With pregnancy comes plenty of hormonal changes, and with those changes come bloating. According to the Mayo Clinic, your abdomen could feel very similar to what you experience around the beginning of your period but if it doesn’t go away, it may be time to get checked out.

    Feeling extra tired lately? There are a ton of potential causes for your exhaustion an illness, work, friends, your relationship but pregnancy is a possibility. Just like with mood swings, fatigue is shows up during early pregnancy due to the high levels of progesterone in your body.

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