How to know pregnancy early, recognize the main characteristics
SIGNS OF EARLY PREGNANCY - Are you currently wondering about the possibility that you are pregnant? The only way to know pregnancy accurately and quickly is to take a pregnancy test. However, there are early pregnancy symptoms that may indicate that you are pregnant. These are the signs you can look out for.
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| SIGNS OF EARLY PREGNANCY |
Not all women get early pregnancy symptoms, because basically every woman's body is different. The same goes for her pregnancy experience. Not every woman has the same symptoms or even the same symptoms from one pregnancy to the next. Also, because early pregnancy symptoms often mimic the symptoms you may experience before and during your period, you may not even realize that you are pregnant.
The following is a description of some of the most common early pregnancy symptoms. You should know that these symptoms may be caused by things other than pregnancy. So, the fact that you notice some of these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you're pregnant. The only way to know for sure if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Some women experience early pregnancy symptoms, as early as a week before a missed period.
"Each of these symptoms individually can be thought of as illness or irregular periods. When a person has more than one symptom, he or she should take a pregnancy test to confirm whether or not she is pregnant," says Stephen Rechner, M.D., Head of the Division of Obstetrics. General and Gynecology at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids.
But it's important to note that you can get pregnant even if you don't have symptoms. The following are some signs or symptoms that you can observe as a way of knowing pregnancy early.
The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy may include:
1. Missed menstrual period.
If you're of childbearing age and a week or more has passed without having your period when it's due, there's a high chance that you may be pregnant. However, these symptoms can be misleading if you have an inherently irregular menstrual cycle.
2. Tender and swollen breasts.
In early pregnancy, hormonal changes may make your breasts sensitive and sore. The discomfort should lessen after a few weeks as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.
3. Nausea with or without vomiting.
Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night, often begins one month after you become pregnant. However, some women feel nauseous early and some never experience it. While the cause of nausea during pregnancy is unclear, pregnancy hormones are likely to play a role.
4. Increased urination.
You may be urinating more often than usual. The amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process the extra fluid that ends up in your bladder.
5. Fatigue.
Fatigue also ranks high among early pregnancy symptoms. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar, which may make you feel sleepy all the time.
Other signs and symptoms of pregnancy:
You may also experience other, less obvious signs and symptoms of pregnancy during the first trimester, but they can be a way of knowing you are pregnant. This includes:
1. Gloomy.
The flood of hormones in your body early in pregnancy can make you incredibly emotional and cry. Mood swings are also common.
2. Bloating.
Hormonal changes during early pregnancy can cause you to feel bloated, similar to what you might feel at the start of your period.
3. Light spotting.
Sometimes, light spotting is one of the early signs of pregnancy. Known as implantation bleeding, it occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining—about 10 to 14 days after fertilization. Implantation bleeding occurs around the time of your menstrual period. However, not all women experience it.
4. Cramps.
Some women will experience mild uterine cramping early in pregnancy.
5. Constipation.
Hormonal changes cause your digestive system to slow down, which can lead to constipation.
6. Sensitive appetite.
When you are pregnant, you may become more sensitive to certain smells and your sense of taste may change. Like most other pregnancy symptoms, these food preferences can be linked to hormonal changes.
7. Stuffy nose.
Increased hormone levels and blood production can cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell, dry out and bleed easily. This may cause you to have a stuffy or runny nose.
Take a Pregnancy Test at Home
Whether you are experiencing symptoms of early pregnancy or just a missed period, you should take a home pregnancy test if you are sexually active. To get the most accurate reading, you may have to wait until your period is over.
That's because a home pregnancy test measures the level of the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine, and before your missed period, you may not have enough hCG to take. (In general, a urine test requires 50 units of hCG to get a positive result, although some tests are more sensitive. Some women's bodies take longer than others to produce that amount).
A negative test result also does not guarantee that you are not pregnant. You could get a false-negative result from taking a pregnancy test too early, using diluted urine, or not following directions exactly. It is recommended to do the test again one week after.
Blood Test by Doctor
The most accurate and undoubted way to find out pregnancy is to do a blood test to the doctor. Blood tests are more sensitive than urine tests, because less hCG is needed to get a positive result.
Most women don't have a blood test if their home test is positive, although a blood test can help evaluate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tubes). Therefore, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with your doctor for a blood test after you get a positive pregnancy test result.
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