Pregnancy Symptoms: 10 Early Signs That You Might Be Pregnant
Overview
Women often experience more symptoms than just a missed period when they’re pregnant (although, a missed period is often one of the most crucial indicators of pregnancy). These early signs can play an important role in helping you decide when it is time for you to take a pregnancy test. However, there are two important things to note:
1.) Every woman is different. Every pregnancy is different. Not every woman will experience these early signs of pregnancy.
2.) These symptoms can often be caused from other medical issues/reasons.
You must have a pregnancy test and ultrasound to verify that you are pregnant.
Nevertheless, here are 10 early signs that you might be pregnant.
Common early pregnancy signs and symptoms
1. Missed period. If a week or more has passed since your expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. While this is often the most crucial symptom medical professionals look for-- say, when you visit our center to have a free, confidential pregnancy test, they’ll ask you about this-- this is not always the case with every pregnancy or the only explanation for a missed period. Sometimes a missed period can be caused by:
Weight gain or loss.
Hormonal imbalances
Extreme fatigue or stress
Birth control
Or sometimes some women have an irregular menstrual cycle.
But regardless, we highly recommend that if you have missed a period that you take a pregnancy test. You can schedule an appointment for a pregnancy test with us here completely free of charge. Yes, you read that correctly, we offer confidential, medical-grade pregnancy testing completely free of charge. No health insurance required. Amazing right? Learn more about how we help women like you here.
2. Tender breasts. For some women early in their pregnancies, their hormonal changes might make their breasts sensitive or sore.
3. Nausea with or without vomiting. Despite its misleading name “morning sickness,” you can experience nausea day or night often beginning one month after conception. This symptom is not universal to all women in their pregnancies.
4. Frequent urination. This is usually due to pressure on the bladder as the uterus increases in size.
5. Constipation. An increase in the hormone “progesterone” during pregnancy can cause muscles to relax and the intestines to move slower, leading to constipation.
6. Fatigue. Again, the increase in “progesterone” can also cause you to feel generally fatigued, tired or sleepy.
7. Nasal congestion. The Mayo Clinic explains this symptom well about why pregnancy can cause nasal congestion. In this article, they write “Increasing hormone levels and blood production can cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell, dry out and bleed easily.” In other words, pregnancy could be the cause of a stuffy or runny nose.
8. Change in Taste and Smell. Pregnancy can cause increased sensitivity to smell and taste usually caused by hormonal changes.
9. Light spotting. Now spotting, or otherwise called implantation bleeding, is different than your typical menstrual period. The major difference is in the flow. Typically with spotting you will only witness blood when wiping and will not need the use of a pad or tampon. Implantation bleeding typically occurs 10 to 14 days after conception and can have overlap into when you were expecting to have a menstrual period. However, not all women will experience spotting.
10. Moodiness. Normally caused by the changes in hormones in your body.
Remember, the only way to verify that you are pregnant is with a pregnancy test and an ultrasound.
Pregnancy Resource Center is pleased to offer ALL of our services free of charge. Our experienced nurses are well trained in pregnancy testing, prenatal education and limited ultrasounds. If you have concerns about your pregnancy options, one of our trained pregnancy options coaches can offer a listening ear and resources to help you.
We are here for you physically and emotionally.
Written by:
Amber George, Community Outreach & Marketing Coordinator
Roxanne Bright, PRC Nurse Manager
Here's where we collected some of our research:
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