If you are sexually active, it is important to learn and recognize the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy. We can help you understand what to look for.
Index: Knowing the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy can help you determine whether or not you need to take a pregnancy test to and seek additional medical assistance. Take a moment to learn about how a woman’s body changes during the early stages of pregnancy and the next steps you can take in order to care for yourself. You are not alone and we can help.
- Early Signs of Pregnancy
- Additional Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy
- Could You Really be Pregnant?
- Next Steps
Early signs and indications of Pregnancy
- The first indication of pregnancy is typically a missed period. If you are sexually active, not under much stress and your period is more than a week late, you might be pregnant. If you have irregular periods, this might not apply to you.
- Having tender or swollen breasts is another sign of early pregnancy. A woman’s breasts might become sore, sensitive and swollen. This is due to increased hormone production. These symptoms will typically go away after a few weeks.
- Some women may experience nausea and/or vomiting throughout their pregnancy. This can occur at any time during the day or night. Sometimes food, drinks or smells that you are used to can suddenly cause you to become nauseous.
- Many women report an increase in urination. The rise in the pregnancy hormone, hCG, causes an increase of blood flow to your pelvic region (including your kidneys.) This increase in blood flow coupled with increased efficiency of the kidneys results in the production of more urine.
- Do you find yourself needing to nap more or go to bed earlier? Fatigue can also be an early sign of pregnancy. The increased levels of progesterone in your body can cause sleepiness and fatigue.
Additional Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy
Other signs and symptoms that you might experience during the first three months of your pregnancy include:
- Bloating and/or Cramping- similar to how you might feel while menstruating
- Moodiness – you might be sad, weepy or emotional
- Light Spotting – otherwise known as implantation bleeding
- Constipation – your digestive system slows down during pregnancy
- Food Aversion – you may become more sensitive to smells and your tastes might change
- Nasal Congestion – The increase in production of blood during pregnancy can cause your mucus membranes to swell in your nose leading to nose bleeds, a runny nose or congestion
How can you know for sure if you are really pregnant?
Many of these signs and symptoms are not unique to just being pregnant. You might start your period soon or be coming down with an illness. On the other hand, you might be pregnant without experiencing many of these signs or symptoms.
If your period is late and you are experiencing any of these signs, we encourage you to take a home pregnancy test, seek pregnancy testing at a local pregnancy center or visit your healthcare provider. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you will know of your need to take special care of your body and the developing baby.
Next Steps: What you can do, and how we can help
Once you have confirmed your pregnancy, you might feel happy or scared, elated or overwhelmed. The staff at APO is here to help. All of our services are FREE and confidential. Our caseworkers are here to help you explore your options while you decide what is best for you and your child.
Text us to talk with a pregnancy counselor today!
