How do you know you are pregnant?
Becoming pregnant can be easy for some and harder for other women. While some women can conceive without even really trying some women will have to go through months or even years of fertility treatments before they can become pregnant. If you are trying to become pregnant or think that you already are pregnant there are a great many symptoms that will show you that you are pregnant.
Of course, some of these symptoms could be due to something else so testing as soon as you miss your period is key. However to not let that be the only test you do, if you are still experiencing symptoms that can be related to pregnancy see your doctor. Sometimes pregnancy symptoms can start early and you cannot tell that you are pregnant without a blood test and if you are not pregnant you will need to know what is going on with your body to cause the symptoms you are having.
How do you know you are pregnant?
- Symptoms of Pregnancy
There are a great many symptoms of pregnancy. Some which start in early pregnancy and some that can show up in late pregnancy. Not all women know that they are pregnant in those early months so it is always important to know those potential pregnancy symptoms.
- Loss of monthly period. Most women will have a period that stops during pregnancy. However a small handful of women will have bleeding during pregnancy due to hormones or other factors.
- Spotting. A few days before your missed period or the day of your missed period you may have spotting. This is due to implantation of the baby. Most spotting will be brownish pink but some women do have a menstrual like flow at this time.
- Morning sickness. This can start as early as four weeks pregnant and may show up at all times during the day not just the morning.
- Sickening smells. The smell of certain foods will make you feel sick as well as aromas such as gas or certain cleaners.
- Frequent urination. Due to hormones and a growing uterus the frequency to urinate will go up. You may feel like you are going to the bathroom every five minutes.
- Bloating. Due to hormones and a stretching uterus you may feel bloated during the first few months of pregnancy.
- Tiredness. You will tire extremely easy. You will be able to go about your normal day to day routine but may feel like you need a nap or need to go to bed earlier. This is due to the hormones during pregnancy.
- Breast changes. You will notice that your breasts will become enlarged. Your nipples will become darker and be tender during the first few months of pregnancy.
- Itching. Many women complain of itching in the stomach and breast area. This is due to stretching.
- Constipation or diarrhea. One of the most common signs you are pregnant if you have a missed period is constipation. With some women they have the exact opposite and will have diarrhea in the early months of pregnancy with constipation setting in later in the pregnancy.
- Heartburn. This is a common pregnancy related symptom. Due to hormones and an increasing belly size you may have heartburn.
- Nasal congestion. This often happens during early pregnancy as any allergy can be enhanced during pregnancy.
- Balance. A common symptom of pregnancy is dizziness and loss of balance due to hormonal and body changes.
- Joint pain. Due to hormones you may experience joint pain as well as nerve pain in your hips.
- Shortness of breath. You may experience shortness of breath while pregnant because of hormones and a growing belly.
- Movement. While usually felt later on in pregnancy some women have experienced movement before they ever knew they were pregnant.
Testing For Pregnancy
If you have one or some of the symptoms of pregnancy you will need to test to see if you are indeed pregnant. There are many tests out there to choose from. You can choose a digital model that you urinate on or one that you urinate on that has different colored lines. Make sure that you read the directions well and make sure that you double test if you are unsure. Getting a false positive is unlikely but getting a false negative is extremely likely especially if you test too early so always make sure that you do a follow up appointment with your doctor to see if you are or are not pregnant.
It is recommended by many people that if you get a positive test that you wait a day or two and take the pregnancy test again to be sure. Some tests can be faulty so make sure that you check the test out when you purchase it. Read the recommended wait time and do not go over that time. If you do you may get a false positive because of an evaporation line. Also remember if you do test and within that time frame if you have two lines even if the second one is faint you are more than likely pregnant and will need to make the appropriate appointment with your doctor.
Your First Appointment
When you call your doctor let them know whether or not you have tested and what the results are. They will schedule you an appointment and you will have to go in to have further testing. If it was positive your doctor will complete another pregnancy test as well as blood tests to make sure that your pregnancy is going well. If your test came up negative but you are still having more symptoms your doctor can do a blood test to determine whether or not you are pregnant. If you are not pregnant your doctor can go through and try to figure out what is causing all of your symptoms. If you wish to get pregnant speak to your doctor about ways that you can increase your chances at pregnancy.
The road to pregnancy is not an easy one and has many different symptoms. If you suffer from any of the symptoms be sure to test and even after testing consult with your doctor even if the test is positive so you make sure that you get the best care out there. Make sure that if you are trying to get pregnant that you keep a look out for the signs of pregnancy and make sure that you are taking vitamins and living healthy so that you will have the best chance at getting pregnant and make sure that you have a very healthy baby.
