Pregnant?

Top Signs You’re Pregnant

Did you have unprotected sex? Did your birth control fail? If so, you might be worried about being pregnant.

Early pregnancy can cause common symptoms in many women. While staying alert for these symptoms can clue you into whether you might be pregnant, taking a pregnancy test and receiving a follow-up ultrasound if your result is positive is the only way to know for sure.

Top Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

Unique hormones become present in your body during pregnancy. These hormones can cause you to experience certain symptoms, including:

1. Missed Period

The most common and obvious early sign of pregnancy is a missed period. If your menstrual cycle is regular and you miss a period, it might be time to take a pregnancy test.

2. Nausea with/without Vomiting

Many women experience nausea, often referred to as morning sickness, which can occur at any time of the day. This usually starts around the sixth week of pregnancy but can begin as early as the fourth week.

3. Breast Changes:

Hormonal changes can cause your breasts to become swollen, tender, or sore. You might also notice your nipples darkening and becoming more pronounced.

4. Fatigue

Feeling unusually tired is a common early symptom of pregnancy. The hormone progesterone rises during early pregnancy, contributing to feelings of fatigue and the need for extra rest.

5. Frequent Urination

As your blood volume increases and your kidneys process more fluid, you might find yourself needing to urinate more frequently. This symptom can start as early as the first few weeks after conception.

6. Food Cravings or Aversions

Changes in your sense of taste and smell can lead to cravings for certain foods or aversions to foods you previously enjoyed.

7. Mood Swings

The hormonal fluctuations of early pregnancy can cause emotional highs and lows, leading to mood swings similar to those experienced before a period.

8. Light Spotting and Cramping

Some women experience light spotting or implantation bleeding when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. This is usually lighter and shorter than a regular period but can be confused for a period.

9. Bloating

Hormonal changes can cause bloating and a feeling of fullness, similar to the symptoms some women experience before their menstrual period.

10. Nasal Congestion

Those early pregnancy hormones and increased blood volume can cause swelling in the mucous membranes in your nose, leading to nasal congestion in some women.

Next Steps

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? Whether you’re experiencing one or all of these symptoms, it’s essential to take a pregnancy test, since other health conditions can mimic those of early pregnancy.

At Baywater Women’s Clinic, we offer no-cost, lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds to give you the clarity you need right now.