If you recently had unprotected sex or your birth control failed, you might be on the lookout for early pregnancy symptoms.
While many women experience common symptoms of early pregnancy, the only way to know for sure if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test and receive a follow-up ultrasound.
Read on to learn more about the common symptoms of early pregnancy. Or, if you want to talk to someone about pregnancy and find free resources, like pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, contact Empower Life Center to schedule a free, confidential appointment.
Common Symptoms of Early Pregnancy
From conception (when the sperm meets the egg), special hormones cause changes in your body. These hormones can cause you to experience physical symptoms.
However, it’s critical to note that early pregnancy symptoms can overlap with other conditions, which is why it’s important to take a pregnancy test and seek medical guidance if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Missed menstrual period. Often, missing your period is the first indicator that you may be pregnant. This is because early pregnancy hormones tell your body to stop menstruating and thicken your uterine lining to nourish the pregnancy. If your period hasn’t arrived this month, you could be pregnant.
- Sore, swollen breasts. Is your bra fitting tighter? Are your nipples more sensitive than usual? This may indicate pregnancy, as the same hormones that cause you to miss your period also prepare your breasts for breastfeeding.
- Nausea with or without vomiting. If you’ve been feeling sick to your stomach without a known cause (such as food poisoning, sickness, etc.), pregnancy could be to blame. Many experts believe that early pregnancy hormones can lead to nausea in some women.
- Increased urination. During pregnancy, your blood volume increases. This makes your kidneys work harder to filter your blood, which in turn causes you to urinate more frequently. Running to the bathroom more than usual can be a sign of pregnancy.
- Fatigue. Has it been harder than normal to wake up? Feeling more run down than usual? Fatigue can be an early pregnancy symptom, especially if other early pregnancy symptoms are present.
Importance of Pregnancy Testing and Ultrasound
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of early pregnancy, it’s vital to take a pregnancy test.
Pregnancy tests work by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood or urine. However, timing is important. If you take a pregnancy test too early (before the first day of your missed period), you run the risk of receiving a false negative. This means that you’re pregnant, but your hCG levels are too low for the pregnancy test to detect.
If you receive a positive pregnancy test result, following up with an ultrasound is essential. This simple scan will give you the important information you need to know about your pregnancy to stay safe.
You’re Not Alone
Wondering if you’re pregnant can feel scary, but you’re not alone in this. At Empower Life Center, we’re here for you.
We offer free pregnancy resources, like pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds, to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about how to move forward.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.