“Am I pregnant?” Whether you want it or not, watch out for the 8 common signs of early pregnancy so you can make an informed decision on what to do next.
“Am I pregnant?” This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions on our website.
And the answer can trigger completely opposite reactions: either joy and excitement, or fear and a feeling of utter dread.
In either case, it’s important to recognize the early signs of a possible pregnancy. This way you can evaluate your options and make an informed decision on what to do next.
8 Common Signs of Early Pregnancy
Below are some common signs of early pregnancy:
1. Delay or Missing Period
This is perhaps one of the most significant signs of pregnancy. However, diet, stress, medication, and other lifestyle factors can also interrupt a woman’s hormone balance and cause delay or missing periods.
So it’s important to track your menstrual cycles, and to get to know your body well. This way you can spot any usual changes with ease and confidence.
2. Swollen/Tender Breasts
This is another obvious sign of early pregnancy. However, some women experience premenstrual breast tenderness. So how do you know whether it’s premenstrual or early pregnancy?
It’s all in the timing. If you still have swollen/tender breasts when you’re supposed to have your period, this may be a sign of early pregnancy
3. Darkening of the Skin around the Nipples
Pregnancy hormones (progesterone and hcG) can darken the skin around the nipples. This is another sign to help you tell if your breast tenderness is premenstrual or due to early pregnancy.
4. Nausea or Morning Sickness
Many women experience nausea or morning sickness in the first trimester (3 months) of their pregnancy. The implantation and growing fetus can push up the diaphragm and cause these uncomfortable feelings.
5. Food Cravings or Aversions
Some pregnant women crave sour foods, which can help reduce the feelings of stagnation as a result of implantation. So notice if you have any usual cravings or aversions when it comes to foods. They may provide some clues.
6. Fatigue
This is obvious, right? If you’re pregnant, a lot of energy is going toward nourishing and nurturing the implanted egg to help it grow into a fetus. This can certainly make you feel more tired and sleepy than usual.
7. Spotting or Cramping
Implantation can cause cramping and spotting. Sometimes this is mistaken as a regular period. Pay close attention to this because there is a subtle difference.
The implantation spotting is usually lighter and shorter than a regular period.
8. Other Signs
Pregnancy changes your body in so many ways, from moods and energy levels, to digestion and bowl movement. Other common signs of pregnancy may include:
- Headache
- Backache
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Mood swings
By going through the list, if you get a feeling that you may be pregnant, it’s perhaps time to take a pregnancy test to make sure. The pregnancy test can detect pregnancy hormone as early as 3 days before your expected period and is generally pretty accurate.
If you’ve been trying to conceive, best of luck to you. I wish you all the joy of receiving the precious gift of a new life. Here are some tips to enhance fertility for you.
If you’re not ready to be a parent, perhaps it’s time to start learning how to avoid pregnancy and evaluate some options.
Great site, helpful information re knowing if you are expecting!
I have done loads of research on periods and ovulation trying to understand all I can but I have never totally understood what I was reading until I found this website thank you!!!
What does it mean when u have clear egg white 7 dayso after your period
Hi Linda, clear egg white discharge is a cardinal sign of ovulation. When you have clear egg white discharge 7 days after your period,it means that you ovulated at around that time. If your period lasted for 3 days, you ovulated on day 10. If your period lasted for 5 days, you ovulated on day 12. Hope this helps. 🙂
Am only 18 years old and I got told I can’t come back on my periods until I get my bloods done and it also feels likes I might be pregnant cause it feels wierd to me and my boyfriend that u can feel something moving around like its active or something x
is it possible to become pregnant if you have a D&C, TUBAL…(BURNED)…& ABLATION? i heard stories of the body healing its self over time. i have four children ages 2,4,6& just turned 9. i had the surgerys done two yrs ago. i highly doubt it. but i have been feeling bloyed at times awfully fatigued a lot recently and my mood can go from laughs to cries to angry a lot recently too. i feel nauseous off and on random times of the and sometimes not at all. my girlfriend said that she thinks i am pregnant but idk if i cld be bc i haven’t had a period scence the surgery. once in a blue moon i will get a cramp like feeling in my pelvic area and it lasts for a few secnds but nothing harsh just enough for me to feel it and say ouch! what arw the possibility of me being actually pregnant? my husband and i have been having unprotected sex scence two yrs ago when the surgery was sone. my g.f says i cld be bc i have had my children all two yrs apart and i am showing sighs of pregnancy. i never get yeast infections unless im pregnant i just had one it went away on its own but i was shocked that i had gotten one! im also having this odd white slime like discharge at the moment..HELP!! ANY ONE WHO CAN EXPLAIN TO ME WHATS GOING ON!?!
I have iregular period.. cant tract my cycle.. i missed my period im on my13th day of being delayed. I have white clear discharge a few days ago.. but now it decreased. And feels dry. I dont feel o exp other signs of pregnancy.i was stressed out this month
So i took a test on the 23 of this month came out negative but im now 17 days late csn someone help me
please i need help,i had my period on the 10-14 december and i had unprotected sex on 18,21,23&24 december.now am very weak and tried. pls am ipregnant.
hello, please help..
Last month i had unprotected sex and the very next day i got my periods.I took a I-pill tje same day morning. Periods went on for 7 days as usual… Now its almost 8 days i have still not got my periods… Since 2 days i am getting lot of white discharge and i have wet like sensation down there….. is it the symptom of pregnancy? Please help
My periods have always been irregular… I just had one that lasted an entire month. Now I noticed very watery brown discharge and I wake up every morning with worst cramps I have to lay in the fetile position for a good 30 mins before they are gone. My husband and I never have protected sex. I’m scared to take a pregnancy test because every test I took with my daughter came up negative.
Hi Ashley, I’m concerned about your long period and the severe pain you experienced. I highly encourage you to see your doctor and perhaps get a pelvic ultrasound just to make sure there is nothing serious. Please take good care!
looking for some advice please? my period has been regular for months every 31st day, however usually my breasts get so sore I can hardly touch them. I am now 5 days late for my period, very little breast pain this month which is unusual for me? I have had unprotected sex so took a pregnancy test yesterday but it was negative. What I find strange though is that I had the usual discharge then it stopped (as it normally does just before my period) but today I have a small amount of white discharge again, as if my period has come and gone but no period? can anyone offer my any advice? its driving me crazy? I don’t feel stressed in fact I have been more relaxed lately than usual ?
any help appreciated
Hi CAT,
Our body responds to different situations in different ways.It surprises us daily. Sometimes the pregnancy test can come negative if its too early. But you are already 5 days late for your period. I would suggest, you take the pregnancy test again. If this comes negative and you still feel the changes happening in your body, it would be best to see your health care provider.
hello jasmine’
i am stressed out, i started my last period on 26 june and it ended 2 july so i went for my 3 month injection on the 4 july and had unprotected sex on 6 july, on sunday 21 july i had lil pinkish spotting and yesterday as well. am i pregnant? cause i really dont want a baby right now i already have a daughter of 5 years old.
Hello Collak.
First of all, please relax. Are you stressed because you might be pregnant or you are stressed because of other reasons? I suggest you take a pregnancy test. this part of your stress will be taken care of. If there is anything else that is bothering you try and talk it out with someone you trust. Try doing breathing exercises which will help you to be relaxed.
Hello, my name is Jasmine and Me and my fiancee had unprotected sex a few days ago. Today I suddenly started bleeding, but its too early for me to be on my period. The bleeding isnt heavy and at first i was just spotting. Now all of a sudden i am not bleeding, is this a sign of pregnancy?is this implantation bleeding?
Hello, Jasmine. First, take a deep breath and try to remember if you’ve experienced before shorter menstrual cycles. Try to stay relaxed, first, and inform yourself. Also you can find it is very useful to track your menstrual cycles, it will help you get in touch with your body and decipher its signs better. Wish you well!
Dear Jasmine,
I experience the same thing from time to time after having sex. I’ve been told by my health practitioner that I have a “delicate” vaginal wall, which sometimes makes it more sensible when stimulated. This condition isn’t something to be worry at all… Maybe it is possible you have the same thing? Do you have a little bleeding (and I mean REALLY little) when you are having your Pap test done?
Hi Tonya,
If you suspect that you are pregnant, I would suggest taking a pregnancy test in order to find out for sure. Sometimes my breasts can be very sore before I start my period, but it has never been due to pregnancy for me. However, if you have any concern, you should definitely take a pregnancy test so that you can find out for sure.