When To Know If You Are Pregnant

Start Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle

Each new menstrual cycle is marked by the first day of your period. And tracking your cycle along with any daily symptoms youre experiencing can be incredibly helpful. Why?

Tracking your cycle helps you get to know your body better, including how long your cycle is. The length of your cycle is what determines your fertile window, which well get to in the next section.

Tracking the symptoms you experience such as changes in sex drive, mood or cervical mucus can help you identify patterns throughout your cycle, including what you typically experience leading up to your most fertile days.

How do you get started? When your next period arrives, start tracking since that is Day 1 of your cycle. You can keep a journal and write things down, or you can use mobile apps such as Fertility Friend and Clue.

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

• 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!

The Pros Of Waiting To Announce Your Pregnancy

If youve had difficulty conceiving, had a previous pregnancy loss, or had a stillbirth, you may want to wait even longer than 12 weeks to share news of your pregnancy. Its also fine to share later than the traditional first trimester cutoff. Its entirely up to you and what you feel is best.

Though loss in the second and third trimesters is rare, couples may feel sensitive or worried that something will happen.

In these cases, you may choose to share news about the following instead:

• having an ultrasound that shows the baby is healthy
• finding out the sex of the baby
• reaching the halfway mark of pregnancy
• reaching a personal milestone

Sometimes letting a close friend or family member know can be helpful, especially if youre feeling anxious.

If youre still not comfortable sharing the news, your doctor may be able to refer you to a therapist or support group where you can express your feelings in a safe space.

Another option is to search online for forums with women who have gone through similar situations. Examples of online support groups include:

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How Do Pregnancy Tests Work

When you take a pregnancy test, its looking for the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in your body. You can find hCG in your urine or blood. However, this chemical needs time to build up in your body, which can cause very early pregnancy tests to come back negative. Each day of early pregnancy, your body will create more hCG. As the weeks go on, youll have more and more hCG in your body, which will make it more likely that a pregnancy test will show as positive.

Pregnancy tests work by reacting to the amount of hCG in either your urine or blood. In a urine test, a piece of reactive paper detects the hCG. This might then show a plus sign, double vertical lines or even the word pregnant. Different tests will show a positive result in unique ways. Read the directions that come with the test to know what a positive result will look like. On the test, there will also be a control window that will show up first. Seeing a symbol in this window will tell you that the test is working. Keep in mind that different brands of tests will take different amounts of time to process.

If you take a blood test, your provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to a lab. The lab will determine the amount of hCG is in your blood.

How Soon Can You Take A Pregnancy Test

You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result.

If you dont want to wait until youve missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG. This typically takes seven to 12 days after successful implantation of an egg.

You may receive an inaccurate result if the test is taken too early in your cycle.

Here are some signs that you should take a pregnancy test.

One of the first and most reliable signs of pregnancy is a missed period.

If you dont track your cycle closely, it might be hard to determine whether or not youre late. Many women have a 28-day menstrual cycle. Consider taking a test if its been more than a month since your last period.

Keep in mind that your period can sometimes be delayed or skipped due to stress, diet, exercise, or certain medical conditions.

Also pay attention to your flow if you suspect pregnancy. Its common to experience light bleeding or spotting in the early weeks as the egg buries deeper into the uterine lining during implantation. Take note of any difference in the color, texture, or amount of blood.

Contact your doctor if you have bleeding and a positive pregnancy test.

Implantation can also produce a feeling similar to menstrual cramps. In early pregnancy, you may feel this discomfort and think your period is just around the corner, but then it never comes.

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Order A Diaper Delivery

When a box of diapers mysteriously appears at your door, your partner will surely be confused. When he sees the box is addressed to him, hell realize youll soon have a baby around who needs those diapers!

There are so many fun ways to tell your partner youre expecting. Whether you prefer to keep it simple and break the news over morning coffee, or spell it in the sky with an airplane, either way creates a very special moment to share. Next comes even more excitement, planning for your little ones arrival!

If youve already told your partner youre expecting how did you do it? Do you have any creative ideas to add to our list? Share this post on your social media, tag us & add your fun ideas!

Can I Get Pregnant If Im On Birth Control

How well your birth control works depends on the method youre using and whether you take it correctly.

No method of birth control is 100% effective, even if used perfectly, except abstinence. So the best way to prevent pregnancy is by using both birth control and condoms. Theres another really good reason to do this: condoms are the only method of birth control that also protects you from STDs.

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

Blood Tests To Determine Pregnancy

Another way to take a pregnancy test is by having your blood tested for human chorionic gonadotropin , which is a hormone that is produced by the body during pregnancy. This test is called a beta-hCG test or quantitative hCG blood test. An hCG blood test for pregnancy is more common if you have not had a period and dont know when your last period was, or if you have been using hormonal birth control.

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Can Pregnancy Symptoms Start Before Implantation

To ensure successful implantation progesterone rises when the ovum fertilizes, so sensitive women may notice very mild pregnancy symptoms before implantation that feels much like pre-menstrual symptoms.

But it has to be said that this is uncommon.

It usually takes a few weeks for progesterone and hCG levels to get high enough to start experiencing symptoms.

We hope weve answered all your questions about finding out how soon you can tell if youre pregnant. If you have any more let us know and well do our utmost to answer them.

How Pregnancy Tests Work

Think you might be pregnant?

Even with the most effective birth control methods, theres always a chance for error. After all, it takes just one sperm to fertilize the egg. Finding out whether or not thats happened is as easy as taking an over-the-counter pregnancy test.

OTC pregnancy tests typically test your urine for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin . HCG is only present if youre pregnant. The hormone is only released if a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus or to your uterine lining.

There are different ways to collect your urine for the test. Depending on the test you choose, you may have to:

• collect your urine in a cup and dip a testing stick into the liquid
• collect your urine in a cup and use an eyedropper to move a small amount of fluid into a special container
• place the testing stick into the area of your expected urine stream so that it will catch your urine midstream

According to Cleveland Clinic, most tests are 99 percent effective if taken after a missed period. The best part is that you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Simply open the test, follow the instructions, and wait for the recommended amount of time to view the results.

After the recommended waiting time has passed, the tests will display your results in one of the following ways:

• a change in color

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Changes In Cervical Mucus

Have you become a student of your cervical mucus? Then check it out now: If it becomes creamy and stays that way after ovulation, its a good sign youll have a positive pregnancy test.

As your pregnancy progresses, youll also notice increased vaginal discharge, called leukorrhea. This thin, milky-white discharge is normal and healthy, but speak to your practitioner if it appears lumpy or thick.

When To Contact A Doctor

If a pregnancy test result is positive, a person should contact a midwife or doctor. They can confirm the result with a blood test or schedule an early ultrasound.

If the person is pregnant, they should start prenatal care or discuss other options as early as possible.

If a person misses a period but is not pregnant, a healthcare professional can help diagnose any underlying cause.

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When Can I Take A Home Pregnancy Test

Although you may start to feel early pregnancy symptoms before your period, most women have to wait for an average of two weeks from the time they ovulate for a positive home pregnancy test result. Home pregnancy tests measure levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in your urine.

This placenta-produced hormone makes its way into your urine almost immediately after an embryo begins implanting in your uterus, between six to 12 days after fertilization. You can start using most home pregnancy tests as soon as hCG can be detected in your urine and hCG levels usually arent high enough to be picked up by a home pregnancy test until your periods expected.

Cant wait until then? Some HPTs promise 60 to 75 percent accuracy four to five days before you expect your period. Wait until your period and the rate jumps to 90 percent wait another week and the results are 99 percent accurate.

Know that false negatives are much more common than false positives, so if the time for your period comes and goes without your monthly flow, check in with your health care provider. Either way, youll want to get a blood test to confirm your pregnancy status.

No matter what symptoms you’re having, the only way to know for sure that you’re pregnant is to make an appointment with your OB/GYN.

Raw Or Partially Cooked Eggs

Make sure that eggs are thoroughly cooked until the whites and yolks are solid. This prevents the risk of salmonella food poisoning. Dont eat foods that contain raw and undercooked eggs, such as homemade mayonnaise. If you wish to have dishes that contain raw or partially cooked eggs, consider using pasteurised liquid egg. Dont use cracked or dirty eggs.

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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.

What To Do In Different Scenarios

Keep track of the date when you may have conceived as well as when you are expecting your period.

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When Should I Take A Pregnancy Test

If you think you could be pregnant, its a good idea to take a test and make sure. If you are pregnant, you will need to begin prenatal care. Home pregnancy tests can differ in how early theyll detect a pregnancy. In many cases, you might get a positive from an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception. For a more accurate result, wait until after youve missed your period to take a test. Remember, if you take a test too soon it could be negative even if you are pregnant. If you get a negative test and then miss your period, take another test or contact your healthcare provider.

Can I Get Pregnant Again After An Ectopic Pregnancy

Most women who have had an ectopic pregnancy can go on to have future successful pregnancies. There is a higher risk of having future ectopic pregnancies after you have had one. Its important to talk to your healthcare provider about the causes of your ectopic pregnancy and what risk factors you may have that could cause a future ectopic pregnancy.

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Changes To Your Body At 1 Month Pregnant

You probably wonât be noticing any changes to your body just yet, but that doesnât mean there isnât a lot going on under the surface. At this point, itâs important to prepare your body for pregnancy and childbirth by paying attention to your overall health and nutrition. This often means taking a multivitamin supplement to make sure you have all the nutrients you and your little one will need for the months ahead. Talk to your healthcare provider at your first prenatal visit to make sure youâre getting the right amounts of the right vitamins. It can also be helpful to begin or continue an exercise routine this month. Check in with your provider to make sure your favorite activities are safe during pregnancy, but in general, getting regular exercise can help build the strength and endurance youâll need throughout your pregnancy.

Check If Your Period Is Late

• Did your last period start more than four weeks ago?
• How far apart are your periods usually? .

Tip: Even if your cycle is inconsistent or longer than 32 days from one period to the next, if you are more than one week past your expected period, and you have been sexually active, there is a chance you could be pregnant.

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