“Oh my gosh, am I pregnant?”
The thought of being pregnant can bring with it a whirlwind of emotions, and trying to determine if you are pregnant can be tricky. Paying attention to some of these subtle signs may be helpful.
Signs of Early Pregnancy to Look For
Typically the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. The average menstrual cycle is 28 – 30 days but can range from 24 – 38 days. Keeping track of your menstrual cycle is very helpful in determining a missed period. There are many free period tracker apps available. These apps can also track ovulation, period symptoms, cycle analysis, and provide health insights.
Along with a missed period, probably the most recognized signs are nausea and vomiting. These signs can be mistaken for a stomach virus, however. You may think you’ve caught a stomach bug, especially if your friends or family have been sick.
Going to the bathroom more than usual, or frequent urination, can be a sign of early pregnancy. Feeling more tired than usual and taking naps, when you don’t normally take naps, may also indicate pregnancy. Headaches and dizziness could be another sign.
Have others complained about your mood lately? If you’ve been grumpier than usual or felt like biting someone’s head off, you might want to evaluate if pregnancy is the issue.
Light spotting and mild cramping can actually occur in early pregnancy and be mistaken for a light period. Implantation bleeding can occur 10 – 14 days after conception, which would be around the time of the next menstrual cycle.
Do you typically love the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying in the morning, but now those smells make you sick to your stomach? Aversion to food and sensitivity to smells is another sign of early pregnancy.
Are you Pregnant? What to do Next
If you have the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy, taking a home pregnancy test can help you determine your next steps. Your pregnancy can then be confirmed with ultrasound and blood tests. At Birth Choice, we provide free pregnancy tests and free ultrasound confirmation that can help you determine how far along you are in your pregnancy. Click here to schedule an appointment.
Kim’s bio:
Kim Mayer, RN, is the Director of Nursing at Birth Choice. She enjoys helping women navigate the journey of an unplanned pregnancy.
For any questions about this blog post, please email kim@birthchoice.us.