You asked: AM I PREGNANT? What are the most common signs of pregnancy?
Every woman’s body is different, the following key symptoms can help clarify if you think you may be pregnant. Now, the only way to know for certain is to take a pregnancy test, which you can have provided to you at any of the center’s on this site’s database.
Missed Period
A most obvious symptom of early pregnancy is the missed period. If you’ve been trying to have a baby, this symptom will likely fill you with hope and joy. If you’re single and sexually active, chances are a missed period will induce anxiety and worry. Either way, you should contact one of the center’s listed on this site for a free pregnancy test. These tests are more accurate than ever, and they’re a quick alternative to dealing with doctors.
Abdominal Cramps
Growing painful abdominal cramps, akin to the cramps you suffer prior to your period, may also be a sign that you’re pregnant. If you suffer from menstrual cramps; you’re more likely to suffer from pregnancy cramps. On the other hand, if you don’t suffer from menstrual cramps, you might not experience pregnancy cramping either. It’s different with every woman, though it’s extremely rare for a woman who doesn’t normally cramp during menstruation to suddenly start experiencing noticeable cramps in the early stage of pregnancy.
Bloody Spotting
A few days after conception, you may notice light spotting in your underwear or bed sheets. During this stage of pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches itself to wall of your uterus, which can cause mild implantation bleeding. This bleeding may last anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks. Spotting that isn’t associated with your menstruation cycle and lasts longer than a few days is a significant symptom of possible pregnancy.
Fatigue
Being zapped of energy is typical in the early stages of pregnancy, and these symptoms can start as soon as one week after conception. Diminished energy levels are particularly noticeable in women who normally have a lot of energy. These women often report feeling drained, sluggish, and motivated to do little else beyond relax on the couch with a good book, movie or TV show.
Tender Breasts
By now, you may be noticing a trend: many of the early signs of pregnancy are similar to symptoms you’ll experience during your period. Breast tenderness and pain is another example. While these are usually a sign of an oncoming period, they can also indicate that you’ve become pregnant. Fluctuating hormone levels can cause swelling and tissue pain, and you’re most likely to notice these symptoms in your breasts. Some women even get inflamed nipples, which can be very tender to the touch.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is another obvious sign that you might be pregnant. Although it’s called “morning sickness” because many women experience it during the morning hours, nausea and vomiting can occur any time of day, and it can happen throughout your pregnancy. This symptom is caused by the physical changes taking place in your body, which include a rise in estrogen and hCG hormones, sudden sensitivity to foods and certain smells, and increased levels of physical and emotional stress.
Vaginal Discharge
On top of spotting bleeding, a newly pregnant woman may also experience a thick vaginal discharge that appears to be white and milky. While it’s not the most pleasant of symptoms, its root cause is perfectly harmless; it happens due to the thickening of the vagina’s walls to accommodate the newly implanted fetus. This discharge is completely harmless, and it is usually odorless. It can occur spontaneously, or after contracting your vaginal muscles during intercourse or urination. Also, yeast infections can cause a discharge.
Aversion to Certain Smells
The strange cravings a woman experiences in later pregnancy (including the stereotypically bizarre combination of pickles and ice cream) might seem hilarious, but the aversion to certain foods and smells are actually no laughing matter. Due to rapidly shifting hormone levels, a favorite food may suddenly make you nauseous with even the slightest whiff. In extreme cases, vomiting may accompany this unusual aversion to beloved meals and snacks. Sensitivity to smell is frequently tied to foods; in other words, it is usually food scents and odors that trigger reactions.
Frequent Urination
Urinary urgency can come on suddenly, usually beginning on or around the sixth week of pregnancy. The vast majority of women don’t even know they are pregnant at that early stage, so it’s easy to dismiss this symptom as being caused by something else. A wide range of conditions can cause an increase in the frequency and urgency of urination, including urinary tract infections (UTIs). Many sexually active women develop UTIs, so pregnancy is often overlooked as a potential cause.