“Am I pregnant?” “What are the signs?” These two questions regularly pop into women’s heads after a missed period. While it may be alarming, there are many options to consider if you are in fact pregnant. Sometimes, pregnancy-like symptoms can occur for other reasons too and it may not mean that you are necessarily pregnant. Every woman’s body is different, especially when becoming pregnant. Some women may have all of the symptoms of pregnancy, while some may only have a few. Because the symptoms of pregnancy vary among women, the most accurate way to discover that you are in fact pregnant is through a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests can be bought over-the-counter or taken at your doctor’s office.
If you feel that you may be pregnant, below are 10 symptoms that are most common among women.
10 symptoms that may indicate that you are pregnant…
- Missed Period- a missed period is one of the most obvious indicators of a pregnancy. Though not all missed or delayed periods mean that you are pregnant, this is when women will typically purchase a pregnancy test.
- Spotting and Cramping- when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus, cramping and spotting can occur.
- Breast Tenderness- the rising level of hormones in your body after fertilization of the egg can lead to breast tenderness. This soreness and swelling at times is similar to an exaggerated version of how your breasts feel right before your period.
- Abdominal Bloating- like breast tenderness hormonal changes can cause many women to feel bloated in early pregnancy.
- Fatigue- women who are experiencing early pregnancy may also feel tired and unusually fatigued. This can also be related to a high level of progesterone in your body.
- Food aversions- newly pregnant women often have aversions to food or aromas that trigger your gag reflex.
- Nausea- also known as “morning sickness” is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, though not every woman gets it.
- Mood Swings- mood swings are very common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Hormonal changes can affect the levels of neurotransmitters in your body. Some expecting mother’s will experience heightened emotions.
- Frequent Urination- it is common for this symptom of pregnancy to occur around the 6-8 week mark of pregnancy. Frequent urination can also be caused by a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or overusing diuretics so it is important to speak with your doctor.
- Constipation- increased levels of progesterone can cause some pregnant women to experience constipation. This hormone causes food to pass more slowly though the intestines.
If you think that you may be pregnant, the best thing to do is to take a pregnancy test. The symptoms of pregnancy do vary among women. Pregnant women could experience all, or none of these symptoms. If you decide to take an at-home pregnancy test early and see a negative result, take the test again a few days later. If you get a positive test result, contact your doctor to set up an appointment right away. Your doctor will go over your options and how to maintain your health during pregnancy.
