Think you might be pregnant and wondering what signs to look for? Pregnancy can look different for every woman, but understanding the most common symptoms can alert you when it’s time to take a home pregnancy test.
Below are the most commonly reported symptoms of early pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Missing A Period
If your monthly menstrual cycle is regular, missing a period is often the first sign of early pregnancy. However, for women whose cycles are irregular and very infrequent, missing a monthly period can mean nothing at all.
Tender Breasts
Did you know your breasts can become swollen and tender to the touch during the first few weeks of pregnancy? Hormonal changes are the culprit for many early pregnancy symptoms, tender breasts being one of them.
Nausea With or Without Vomiting
Despite the name, morning sickness can strike at any time of the day or night. The cause is still somewhat unclear, but most scientists believe hormones are again to blame for pregnancy nausea and vomiting.
Nausea typically comes one to two months after conception, but some women don’t experience nausea at all.
Increased Bathroom Trips
Feeling the urge to use the restroom more often? An increased frequency in urination may point to pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman’s body produces 30-50% more blood volume. All this new blood gives the kidneys more to process and may cause more frequent urination.
Fatigue
Fatigue is very common early in pregnancy. This symptom makes sense when you consider how much a woman’s body is creating and changing to support a pregnancy. Practice some self care and take it easy if you’re feeling extra tired lately.
Food Aversions
Does the thought of eating your favorite meal make you queasy? Changes in food preference and being more sensitive to certain smells can occur during pregnancy. Keeping a food journal can help you keep track of food aversions to share with your doctor at a later time.
Nasal Congestion
As blood production increases during pregnancy, the mucous membranes in your nose can swell. This can cause nasal congestion and even nosebleeds early in pregnancy.
What’s Next?
Are you experiencing some of the above symptoms? If so, it’s time for pregnancy testing.
Fayette Pregnancy Resource Center offers no-cost services to support women during an unplanned pregnancy. Call 770-719-2288 and let us know if you’d like to schedule a pregnancy confirmation test.
If your test is positive, a staff member will help you explore your options and help you make a plan for the future.