Wondering if you might be pregnant?
The only sure way to confirm a pregnancy is a pregnancy test, but there are early signs that you can watch out for.
Missed menstrual period - If a week or more has passed without an expected period, you may be pregnant. Although, if you have an irregular cycle, are under stress or other hormonal changes, this may not be the case.
Morning Sickness - Queasy stomach? Pregnancy hormones can cause a feeling of nausea during any time of the day. Some women experience vomiting, while others just feel nauseous.
Increased Urination - Suddenly finding yourself running to the ladies' room more often? The volume of blood increases in a woman's body when she is pregnant, which causes the kidneys to process extra fluid.
Sensitive breasts - Early pregnancy hormones can make your breasts tender and sore. Sometimes the area around the nipple, called the areola, can darken.
Fatigue - Feeling exhausted through-out the day? The early pregnancy hormone, progesterone, can cause a woman to feel very tired.
Mood fluctuations - Due to the increase in hormones, a woman can feel tearful and emotional through-out the day. Moods can also vacillate from frustrated to sad to scared to hopeful during a period of time.
Light spotting and cramping - Some women experience a small amount of spotting, known as implantation bleeding. This happens when the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus. Some women will experience light cramping during this time as well. Not all women will experience this.
Food and smell aversions - Put off by a food you usually enjoy? Hormones strike again and can cause sensitivities to smells and change food preferences.
Constipation - Pregnancy hormones slow down a woman's digestive system, which can cause difficulty with constipation.
Dizziness and lightheadedness - A woman's blood vessels dilate or expand during pregnancy. Some women also experience low blood pressure or low blood sugar levels, which can cause feelings of dizziness and lightheadedness.
It can be confusing and overwhelming to experience these symptoms. Call today for a free pregnancy test and a non-judgmental listening ear.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic: "Symptoms of Pregnancy, What Happens First"
Web MD: "Early Pregnancy Symptoms"