Are you worried you might be pregnant? If you recently had sex, missed your period, or are experiencing strange symptoms, there’s a chance you could be pregnant.
While taking a pregnancy test is the first step in finding out if you’re pregnant, many women experience one or more common symptoms early in pregnancy. These signs and symptoms are explained below. However, it’s important to note that these symptoms can also be indicative of other health conditions, which is why it’s critical to take a pregnancy test if you think you might be pregnant.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms
During pregnancy, you experience an increase in hormones that tell your body to get ready to nourish and sustain a pregnancy. And oftentimes, these early pregnancy hormones cause physical and emotional signs and symptoms, which include:
- Missed period: Are you still expecting a period that didn’t arrive this month? If so, there’s a good chance you’re pregnant. In many cases, a missed period is the first sign of pregnancy. This is because early pregnancy hormones tell your body to stop menstruating and instead maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy.
- Tender, swollen breasts: If your bra is fitting tighter lately or your nipples and breasts are more sensitive or tender than usual, this could indicate pregnancy. However, it’s important to note that this could also a symptom that your period might arrive soon.
- Increased urination: During pregnancy, your blood volume increases. This causes your kidneys to work harder and produce more urine.
- Nausea with or without vomiting: Have you been feeling sick to your stomach without a known cause (like food poisoning)? If your upset stomach is accompanied by other pregnancy symptoms, there’s a chance you might be pregnant. Commonly referred to as “morning sickness,” the nausea and/or vomiting that can accompany pregnancy can strike any time of the day.
- Moodiness: If you’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster lately, this could be a sign of pregnancy, especially if you’re having other common pregnancy symptoms.
Next Steps
If you’re having any of these common signs or symptoms of pregnancy, it’s essential to take a pregnancy test. This is the first step to gaining the clarity you need right now. If your results are positive, the next step is to get an ultrasound.
At Pregnancy and Family Life Center, we offer free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds because we believe you deserve to have the information you need to stay safe and make an informed decision. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.