Am I pregnant? It’s a question 6.1 million women ask themselves each year. And if being pregnant was not part of your plans right now, you aren’t alone because 45% of those pregnancies are unintended.

It can be pretty nerve-wracking to wonder if you’re pregnant, and it’s particularly confusing because signs of early pregnancy mimic premenstrual symptoms.

So how do you know if you’re pregnant? A positive pregnancy test lets you know that the hCG pregnancy hormone was detected in your urine, but a follow-up ultrasound is the only way to tell if you have a viable pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, you may experience common signs of early pregnancy. We’ll discuss those next. 

Signs of Early Pregnancy

Your body begins to produce pregnancy hormones the moment implantation occurs, which may cause you to notice pregnancy symptoms. Remember that pregnancy is unique to each woman, and most tolerate early pregnancy symptoms well. They usually subside after twelve weeks or so. 

Signs of early pregnancy may include:

• Missed period 

Missing your period is often the first clue that you might be pregnant. It’s also the most common sign of early pregnancy.

• Nausea/vomiting 

You may feel queasy any time of the day or night. You might also notice that you suddenly can’t tolerate certain odors or foods without feeling nauseous. Small frequent meals and drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day can help with nausea. 

• Period-like cramps 

Cramping that is similar to when your period is about to start is common in early pregnancy. However, severe pain on one side could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention.

• Spotting

Approximately 25-30% of women experience spotting when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining. This bleeding is referred to as implantation bleeding and can be misinterpreted as a light period. 

• Mood changes

It’s common to experience fluctuations in your mood during early pregnancy, particularly when you’re facing difficult decisions that accompany an unexpected pregnancy.

This is a time to be gentle with yourself and practice an abundance of self-care.  

• Breast changes

You may experience breast changes in early pregnancy similar to premenstrual breast changes. Your breasts may feel tender, tingly, or swollen, and the areola may appear darker and larger.

• Vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge changes to a thinner and whiter discharge in early pregnancy. 

• Increased need to urinate

You may notice that you need to take trips to the bathroom more frequently because your body processes more fluid in early pregnancy. 

• Fatigue 

The best way to combat early pregnancy fatigue is to take excellent care of your body. This includes resting every chance you can, drinking plenty of water, and eating protein and iron-rich foods.

• Constipation and bloating  

Constipation can add to feeling bloated and tired. As we’ve previously mentioned, maintain a healthy diet that includes fiber, fruits, vegetables, and drinking plenty of water every day.

Get Your Questions Answered at Corbella Clinic 

You don’t have to continue feeling anxious, wondering if you’re pregnant or not. Corbella Clinic is a medical clinic with licensed professional healthcare providers who are here to provide the answers you need to all your questions. We offer no-cost services, including pregnancy testing and limited ultrasound. 

If you are considering abortion, you deserve to be heard and understood with compassion. Contact Corbella Clinic today for your confidential, judgment-free appointment.

 

References:

Danielsson, K. (2021, October 22). Causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Verywell Family. Retrieved from https://www.verywellfamily.com/implantation-bleeding-or-early-miscarriage-2371266

Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2021, June 28). Unintended pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/unintendedpregnancy/

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020, December 18). Ectopic pregnancy. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088#:~:text=An%20ectopic%20pregnancy%20occurs%20when,is%20called%20a%20tubal%20pregnancy