How Do You Know if You’re Pregnant

“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.

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