What Are the Early Pregnancy Symptoms?
This article highlights the top early pregnancy symptoms. But it’s important to know that not every woman experiences every pregnancy symptom—and just because you are having pregnancy symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant (certain health conditions can mimic an early pregnancy).
We’ve all seen movies where a woman is suddenly feeling sick to her stomach or puking for no reason, and comes to find out she’s pregnant. If this sounds familiar, you might be worried that you’re pregnant—and you’ve likely been searching the internet for early pregnancy symptoms.
While taking a pregnancy test and follow-up ultrasound are the only ways to know for sure if you’re pregnant, there are common early pregnancy symptoms that many women experience.
This article will highlight the top early pregnancy symptoms. But it’s important to know that not every woman experiences every pregnancy symptom—and just because you are having pregnancy symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant (certain health conditions can mimic an early pregnancy).
Top Symptoms of Early Pregnancy
During early pregnancy, your body is flooded with unique hormones that stop your period and create a hospitable internal environment for a pregnancy to thrive. However, these hormones can cause uncomfortable symptoms that include:
Missed menstrual period: This is often the first symptom of pregnancy. If you’ve been waiting for a period that hasn’t arrived, you might be pregnant.
Tender, swollen breasts: Is your bra fitting tighter lately? Are your breasts more sensitive than usual? While this can happen right before your period, it can also be an early pregnancy symptom.
Increased urination: If you’re running to the bathroom more than usual, it could mean you’re pregnant. During pregnancy, your blood volume increases, which causes your kidneys to work harder and output more urine.
Moodiness: Laughing one minute and crying the next? More irritable than usual? Moodiness is another sign of early pregnancy thanks to those hormones.
Nausea with/without vomiting: If you’ve been sick to your stomach lately with no known reason (like food poisoning, sickness, etc.), you might be pregnant—especially if other early pregnancy symptoms accompany this feeling.
When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
Wondering when to take a pregnancy test? Consider the following:
Missed Period: The most reliable time to take a pregnancy test is after you’ve missed your period. For many women with regular cycles, this is about 14 days after conception. Testing at this time increases the accuracy of your pregnancy test results, as hCG levels are typically detectable.
Early Testing: Some tests are sensitive enough to detect pregnancy a few days before your missed period. However, testing too early can lead to a false negative if hCG levels aren’t yet high enough to be detected. If you test early and get a negative result but still suspect you’re pregnant, wait a few days and test again.
Irregular Cycles: If your cycles are irregular, estimating the best time to take a pregnancy test can be more challenging. Consider waiting at least four weeks after sex to allow enough time for hCG levels to rise if you are pregnant.
Morning Testing: For the most accurate results, take the test first thing in the morning. Your urine is more concentrated after a night’s sleep, increasing the likelihood of detecting hCG.
Next Steps
If you missed a period this month and are experiencing any other pregnancy symptoms, it’s critical to take a pregnancy test.
At Relevant Pregnancy Options Center, we offer free pregnancy testing to give you the clarity you need right now. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.