How you know that your pregnant
16 early signs of pregnancy
You’ve got one question on your mind: Could I be pregnant?
A pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure. But if it’s too early to take a test, you may be on the lookout for early signs – or maybe you think you’re already experiencing some early pregnancy symptoms.
Is it too early to tell if you’re pregnant? What symptoms may be the earliest signs of pregnancy? Below, we answer those questions and more.
How early can you tell if you’re pregnant?
Again, you’ll need to take a pregnancy test at the right time to confirm your hopes or suspicions. But when it comes to the first symptoms of pregnancy, everyone is different. Some people start to notice changes within a week after conception. Others might not notice anything until they miss their period.
When should you take a pregnancy test?
It’s usually recommended that you take a pregnancy test after you’ve missed your period. This is because pregnancy tests measure the level of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in your body, which is a hormone that starts to build up when you conceive. It can take around three to four weeks from the first day of your last period for there to be enough hCG in your body to show up on a test.
What are the first symptoms of pregnancy?
The most common sign of early pregnancy? A missed period.
Your menstrual cycle is your body’s way of preparing for a possible pregnancy each month. Part of that is the thickening of your uterine lining, which is where a fertilized egg would implant to begin a pregnancy.
If you’re not pregnant, your period is how your uterus sheds that extra lining. If you are pregnant, that lining stays put and you don’t get your normal flow. This is why a missed period is often the earliest sign of pregnancy.
Of course, a delayed or missed period doesn’t always mean you’re pregnant. If your body is under a lot of stress or you have a hormonal imbalance, you could be experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle.
What other symptoms can be early signs of pregnancy?
Every person – and every pregnancy – is different.
So, if you are pregnant, you’ll likely experience a unique combination of common, not-so-common and sometimes overlapping symptoms. And, they may show up earlier or later than expected. Here are more than a dozen possible symptoms of early pregnancy.
1. Spotting or light bleeding
Many women are surprised to learn that spotting or light bleeding can be an early sign of pregnancy, but about one-third of women experience it. This is often called implantation bleeding because doctors believe it occurs as the fertilized egg attaches (or implants) itself into the uterine lining. This is different from bleeding that could occur from something like a miscarriage – which is usually heavier.
When does implantation bleeding occur?
Implantation bleeding typically occurs 10 to 14 days after conception, which is just before or right around the time your period is due. So, you may think you’ve gotten your period.
But implantation bleeding is a light flow, which may start and stop over a couple days.
And while it can take on a range of colors, it’s more likely to be pink, brown or light red.
Your period, on the other hand, may start off light in flow and in color but after a couple days becomes heavier, changes to a crimson red color and lasts up to a week or so.
2. Lower abdominal pain or cramping
While cramps and lower-abdominal pain can signal a coming period, they can also be a sign of egg implantation.
What do implantation cramps feel like?
Implantation cramps can occur with or without spotting or bleeding, and may feel different from period cramps. For example, you might feel mild to moderate prickling, pulling or tingling that comes and goes over a few days.
But menstrual cramps can often feel like a throbbing or dull ache, and typically start a day or two before your period.
3. Higher basal body temperature
If you’ve been tracking your basal body temperature (BBT) to increase your chances of getting pregnant, you probably know that your BBT goes up slightly right after ovulation.
If you’re pregnant, your temperature may remain elevated rather than dipping back down.
Of course, you could be running hot for other reasons, but if it lasts more than a few weeks, pregnancy may be the explanation.
4. Changes in cervical mucus
If you’ve already been checking your cervical mucus to figure out when you’re most fertile, here’s a reason to continue: In the first few weeks of pregnancy, the amount of cervical discharge may increase and become stickier and whiter.
5. Breast tenderness, swelling or tingling
When you’re pregnant, your body experiences big changes in hormones – specifically, increases in estrogen and progesterone – to support your growing baby. This change in hormones can contribute to many symptoms, including breast tenderness.
Oftentimes, increased breast tenderness, swelling or tingling start to become noticeable a few days before a missed period.
If you usually experience breast tenderness leading up to your period or shortly after it begins, pregnancy-related breast tenderness and swelling will likely be more intense than you’re used to and stick around.
You may also experience nipple soreness.
6. Fatigue
Fatigue in early pregnancy is common, and some women might notice it before they know they’re pregnant. In fact, fatigue may set in as soon as one week after conception. This is thanks to those sudden changes in hormone levels, particularly increasing progesterone.
7. Frequent urination
If you’re making more trips to the bathroom than usual around the time your next period is due, it may be a sign of pregnancy.
Certainly, your drinking habits play a big role in how many times you pee in a day. However, pregnancy increases the amount of blood in your body, which gives your kidneys more fluid to filter and more waste to get rid of.
So if you’re pregnant, you may notice you’re peeing a lot more – a symptom that can start early on and (unfortunately) last throughout your pregnancy.
8. Nausea or vomiting
Morning sickness might be the most well-known of all pregnancy symptoms, taking the form of food aversion or nausea, and even vomiting for some.
This symptom can set in as early as two weeks after conception, which is around the fourth week of pregnancy and right around the time you’d miss your period if you were pregnant.
But some may not experience nausea or vomiting at all. And despite its name, morning sickness can actually happen at any time of the day or night.
9. Darkening areolas
When you’re pregnant, your areolas (the areas round your nipples) will likely grow and darken. Usually, these changes are gradual and continue throughout pregnancy. However, some women notice these changes really early on in combination with other symptoms.
10. Bloating or constipation
We all experience bloating or constipation from time to time, but both are quite common during pregnancy. Once again, those changing hormones are the culprit. They slow down digestion, which can cause a buildup of air in the gut and lead to constipation.
Early on, bloating or constipation may be mild and accompanied with other pregnancy symptoms.
But – as a heads up – if you really are pregnant, these symptoms may stick around throughout your whole pregnancy.
11. Metallic taste in your mouth
Many women report a metallic taste in their mouth during pregnancy. Once again, hormones are to blame – specifically, estrogen.
Typically, this symptom (as well as changes in taste overall) is common in the first trimester but may occur at other times too – including before a missed period.
12. Sensitivity to smell
Many women report that sensitivity to smell was one of their first signs of pregnancy. In fact, as many as two-thirds of women become more sensitive or reactive to the smells around them during pregnancy.
And oftentimes, this heightened sense of smell can stick around through the first trimester or beyond, and contribute to other symptoms such as nausea, and food cravings or aversions.
13. Mood changes
From a stressful day at work to the natural wonders of your menstrual cycle, there are a lot of things that can affect your mood.
But changes in mood are very common during pregnancy – and they may be especially noticeable early on as your body gets a sudden burst of estrogen and progesterone.
If you are pregnant, any mood changes you’re experiencing are likely coupled with other symptoms such as fatigue or nausea. You may feel more sensitive or weepy. Or perhaps your fuse is a little shorter and you’re more easily annoyed.
14. Headaches
Headaches are a part of life. They come with colds and allergies. They come with stress or fatigue, or when you cut down on caffeine to help prepare your body for pregnancy. But they can also come with pregnancy.
Headaches can happen thanks to the increasing blood volume and hormonal changes that occur in early pregnancy. You can also get headaches if you’re dehydrated as a result of nausea.
15. Dizziness
As blood flow increases during pregnancy, blood pressure can also decrease and lead to dizzy spells. Usually, dizziness is more of a second trimester symptom, but some women may notice it very early on, too.
16. Nasal congestion
A lot of people are shocked to learn that nasal congestion can be a pregnancy symptom. You may wonder if you’re coming down with something or your allergies are acting up. But if you’re noticing a stuffy or runny nose along with other pregnancy signs, you might be taking a pregnancy test in the near future.
The mucous membranes in the nose are also affected by hormones and increased blood flow throughout your body. This can cause blood vessels to swell, resulting in congestion and even sneezing.
Could you have early pregnancy symptoms and not be pregnant?
Yes. As we’ve mentioned, many early pregnancy symptoms can overlap with symptoms of other conditions, especially premenstrual symptoms. So, the best way to know if the symptoms you’re experiencing are pregnancy related is to try to relax and patiently wait until it’s time to take a pregnancy test.
When should you see a doctor about a new pregnancy?
If you’ve taken a pregnancy test and it’s positive, go ahead and make your first prenatal visit right away.
This is also a great time to start looking into educational resources like the myHealthyPregnancy app.
At the first prenatal visit, you’ll get a physical exam and other tests to make sure everything is looking healthy, and you’ll learn about the rest of your prenatal appointment schedule. You’ll also get to talk through any expectations and questions you have, such as which foods to eat and avoid while pregnant.
Questions or concerns about your symptoms? Our 24/7 nurse line is free for our members and patients.
Positive pregnancy test? Schedule a visit.
How to increase your chances of getting pregnant
If you’re trying for a baby or thinking about it, you’re probably feeling a lot of excitement and anticipation. And rightly so! But as you may know, getting pregnant isn’t just a matter of having sex.
For starters, timing is everything when it comes to conception. The good news is there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re timing sex just right.
And the even better news is there are additional techniques you can use to further improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Whether you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a few months or you’re getting started soon, we’re here to help. Below, we explain what you should know about your odds of getting pregnant, and key tips for increasing them through timing, technique and more.
What are your chances of getting pregnant every month?
Generally, a woman who’s trying to get pregnant has between a 15% and 25% chance of doing so each month. Despite those odds, most couples conceive within the first year of trying.
Whether you will conceive depends on several factors such as your overall health, age, your and your partner’s fertility, and having sex at the right time during your cycle.
Ways to increase chances of getting pregnant
1. Start tracking your menstrual cycle (if you haven’t already)
Each new menstrual cycle is marked by the first day of your period.
And tracking your cycle – along with any daily symptoms you’re experiencing – can be incredibly helpful. Why?
Tracking your cycle helps you get to know your body better, including how long your cycle is. The length of your cycle is what determines your fertile window, which we’ll get to in the next section.
Tracking the symptoms you experience such as changes in sex drive, mood or cervical mucus can help you identify patterns throughout your cycle, including what you typically experience leading up to your most fertile days.
How do you get started? When your next period arrives, start tracking since that is Day 1 of your cycle. You can keep a journal and write things down, or you can use mobile apps such as Fertility Friend and Clue.
2. Identify your fertile window and start tracking ovulation
Your fertile window usually occurs mid-cycle and is when you have the highest chance of getting pregnant. During this window, ovulation – when an egg is released from an ovary – occurs.
Once this happens, conception (or egg fertilization) is possible.
Tracking your cycle helps set you up for success by narrowing down your fertile window. But the next step to further improve your chances of getting pregnant is identifying when you’re ovulating. Since conception can’t happen until an egg is released, knowing your ovulation window helps you better time sex.
From monitoring your cervical mucus and basal body temperature, to ovulation predictor kits, there are several methods to help figure out your most fertile days.
3. Have frequent sex during your fertile window
One of the most common questions among people trying to conceive is: How often should I have sex if I’m trying to get pregnant?
The short answer is that it depends on your preferences as a couple, and whether there are any known fertility issues.
Overall, studies have shown that couples who have sex every day or every other day during the fertile window have the highest rates of pregnancy.
Also, doctors often recommend sticking to just once a day during the fertile window.
If having sex every day or every other day isn’t possible or enjoyable, set a goal to have sex throughout your cycle. This can get you and your partner into a regular sex routine, which can carry you into the fertile window.
Is morning or evening sex better when you’re trying to conceive?
Morning may be the best time to have sex for conception, at least as far as sperm are concerned. Some studies have suggested that sperm count and quality are slightly higher early in the morning, which may mean better odds of conception if they’re deposited right after a good night’s sleep.
However, there isn’t a clear medical consensus, so if you and your partner are in the mood, you shouldn’t let the time of day stop you.
Are there certain positions that can increase your chances of getting pregnant?
There’s no scientific evidence to support the idea that a specific position can increase the odds of conception.
However, positions that allow for deeper penetration, such as where the male partner is on top, may help deposit sperm closer to the uterus.
4. Lay down and relax for a few minutes after sex
Standing up or going to the bathroom after sex may pull sperm away from their destination. So, lying on your back for 15 minutes or so after sex may help keep sperm moving in the right direction.
5. Make sure you’re using a fertility-friendly lubricant
The kind of lubricant you use during sex can actually make conception more difficult, so much so that the Food and Drug Administration now categorizes certain lubricants as “fertility friendly”.
This is because the ingredients in many lubricants, such as petroleum, silicone, parabens and glycerin, can harm sperm function. A lubricant’s pH (how acidic or alkaline it is) can also have an effect.
Lubricants to avoid when trying to conceive
- K-Y Jelly
- Astroglide
- Aquagel
Lubricants to consider when trying to conceive
- Pre-Seed
- BioGenesis
- JO Actively Trying
6.
Strive for a healthy lifestyle for you and your partner Getting pregnant isn’t only about timing and technique. Improving your health can help increase your odds of becoming pregnant and set you up for a healthy pregnancy. And that goes for your partner, too.
Healthy lifestyle habits you’ll benefit from before (and after) you conceive include:
- Taking a prenatal vitamin that’s high in folic acid can help with embryo development and reduce the chance of birth defects.
- As for your partner, they can take a male fertility supplement without testosterone additives. Or they can take a daily multivitamin plus a Coenzyme Q-10 vitamin.
- Making good food choices such as eating a balanced diet of proteins, unsaturated fats and complex carbs, can help make your body an ideal environment for a healthy pregnancy – and may help increase your partner’s sperm production.
- Getting active can reduce stress and condition your body, two things that are helpful for every stage of your pregnancy journey.
- Exercise is important for male fertility, too. But activity should be moderate. Intense exercise, and cycling in particular, may reduce sperm count rather than increase it.
- Men should also avoid exposing their testicles to excessive heat, such as from a hot tub, sauna, steam bath or tight clothing.
- Limiting alcohol consumption before you conceive is important because alcohol can interfere with the first few weeks of pregnancy, when your baby’s organs are developing. Limiting alcohol can also benefit higher sperm production.
- Quitting smoking before pregnancy can positively affect both your odds of conception and the health of your pregnancy. That’s because smoking has been repeatedly linked to a variety of health- and fertility-related issues in both men and women.
- Reducing your stress level may be easier said than done, but it can have a serious payoff. Effectively managing stress can benefit not just your fertility and your pregnancy, but many other aspects of your life as well.
Take a peek at our full preconception checklist to set yourself up for success.
7. Schedule a checkup
Scheduling a preconception checkup with your family doctor, OB-GYN or midwife is an important step. A preconception visit is similar to an annual physical but includes additional care focused on family planning and pregnancy.
In particular, a preconception checkup can help identify any health issues that may affect your chances of conception or having a healthy pregnancy.
Your preconception checkup may include things like a physical exam, and a review of your health and reproductive history such as immunizations you’ve received, past pregnancies and current medications. Blood and imaging tests may also be done. This visit is also an opportunity to voice any questions or concerns you may have.
You and your partner should each schedule appointments for yourselves so that you know everything you can when you start trying to conceive.
Start with almost-baby steps
The more information you have on your side, the more you can increase your chances of conceiving quickly.
Understanding your cycle and then pinpointing your most fertile days are the big ones for being able to time your baby-making sessions. But don’t forget to use simple techniques and tools like taking it easy for a few minutes after sex and using the right lubricant.
And of course, don’t neglect your health. Beyond taking steps to keep your mind and body healthy, get in for a visit with your doctor or clinician. They will not only check in on your health, but they can also give you tailored advice to help improve your chances of getting pregnant.
How to determine pregnancy without a test
How to determine pregnancy without a test and what signs indirectly indicate that your beloved baby will be born soon? Of course, only a blood test can give a 100% guarantee, but the presence of certain signs may indicate its possible onset.
Classic signs of pregnancy
The most common early signs and symptoms may include
- Delayed menses.
nine0011 Problems with the regularity of the menstrual cycle may be associated with hormonal imbalance in the body. But if the delay arose for the first time, and before that the cycle was as accurate as a clock, then it is likely that you are pregnant. - Early toxicosis with severe nausea and vomiting - the most common sign of an interesting situation, but not every woman has.
- Pain in both breasts or enlargement. Nipples can become very sensitive and change color. Sometimes in the early stages, colostrum is released from them with slight pressure. nine0012
- Pain in the pelvic region, similar to menstruation. But this sign can also indicate such a serious pathology as an ectopic pregnancy.
- Increased amount of discharge from the genitals. This can usually be observed during ovulation. Normal discharge is clear and odorless. When a whitish tint or a curdled structure appears, thrush can also be assumed, which is a common problem for expectant mothers.
But in this case, you can not do without treatment. During the period of bearing a child, it is necessary to protect your body as much as possible from any, even such a safe disease. nine0012 - Increased or vice versa reduced libido. Every woman experiences jumps in sexual desire in one direction or the other due to hormonal changes occurring in the body. Therefore, men should treat this with understanding, knowing that they have not become less loved, but these are just signs of pregnancy.
- Frequent urination, despite the fact that you do not drink more often and there are no inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system. A similar phenomenon is associated with a slight relaxation of the sphincter of the bladder due to hormonal processes. And with the growth of the uterus and, accordingly, with the increase in pressure on the bladder, going to the toilet will become even more frequent. nine0012
Additional symptoms of pregnancy
There are less obvious signs that may occur during the first trimester.
These include:
- Strange Desires . For example, at night I sharply wanted chocolate, and during the day - salted fish. Such desires may not be mere whims. If you want sour, then perhaps there is not enough vitamin C in the body. You want to gnaw on the wall with calcium deficiency, and sniff gasoline - with a lack of iron, anemia. nine0012
- Constant irritability, tearfulness. The flow of hormones in a woman's body in the early stages can make her unusually emotional. So-called mood swings can be a clear sign of pregnancy.
- Bloating . Hormonal changes can cause feelings of fullness in the abdomen, as at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
- Bloody discharge pale pink. This symptom is called implantation bleeding. This happens when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, about 10 to 14 days after conception. Usually occurs during the normal periods of the menstrual period.
But not all women have such bleeding is a sign of a normal pregnancy. Therefore, in case of detection of deviations from the normal cycle, consult a gynecologist. nine0012 - Chair problems . Hormonal changes cause the digestive system to slow down, which can lead to constipation.
- Food aversions . When you are pregnant, you may become more sensitive to certain smells and your sense of taste may change. Like most other symptoms, these eating habits can be attributed to hormonal changes.
- Nasal congestion . An increase in hormone levels and blood production can lead to swelling of the nasal mucosa. This can cause congestion or runny nose, nosebleeds. nine0012
How to calculate the gestational age - Lifehacker
July 18, 2020 Likbez Health
This task is best handled by a doctor.
Determining the exact gestational age is not an easy task. It is not enough to know when a significant sexual intercourse took place.
In order not to be mistaken, you need to be aware of the monthly cycle of the expectant mother, as well as take into account dozens of other factors, such as the size of the uterus and embryo.
The most reliable way is to see a gynecologist, answer his questions, undergo a physical examination and do an ultrasound. Based on the results of the examination, you will be told the duration of your pregnancy. nine0003
However, you can more or less accurately estimate what week you are in on your own. But for this you need to know some nuances.
Why there is confusion about the timing of pregnancy
Suppose you know for sure that the conception took place only two weeks ago and not a day earlier. However, the doctor you contacted about the delay in menstruation, after ultrasound and other events, sets a different gestational age - 4-5 weeks. Who is right? Basically, both sides. But the gynecologist is still right. nine0003
Many pregnant women face this confusion.
The fact is that the expectant mother is trying to calculate the gestational age in real, so-called embryonic weeks. A gynecologist - in obstetrics. The difference between them is approximately 14 days.
Obstetric weeks are considered a more accurate method of measuring pregnancy. And there are good reasons for that.
What are fetal weeks and why they are not accurate
Embryonic weeks count the actual age of the fetus - that is, the period that has passed since conception. At first glance, this looks like the most logical option for determining the gestational age. But there are two problems. nine0003
1. The day of sexual intercourse cannot serve as a reference point.
Fertilization occurs only at ovulation — a short period, about a day, when the egg is released from the ovary. If at this time she meets with sperm, conception will occur. If not, you will have to wait for the next cycle.
It is believed that in a 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs on the 14th day.
However, the dates are floating: the egg can leave the ovary a few days earlier, and a couple of days later than the estimated date. nine0003
Spermatozoa, in turn, are able to wait for the egg in the fallopian tube for 3-4 days. This means that fertilization does not occur at the time of sexual intercourse, and sometimes only a few days later.
2. Pregnancy does not occur when the egg is fertilized by the sperm
Conception occurs only when the fertilized egg is implanted in the wall of the uterus. By the way, this doesn't always happen. If a woman takes oral contraceptives or, for example, something is wrong with the embryo, she will not become pregnant. nine0003
Implantation of the egg, that is, the immediate start of pregnancy, occurs 6-12 days after fertilization.
Therefore, it is impossible to accurately determine the physical gestational age and embryonic age of the fetus. To avoid inaccuracies, the period is calculated in obstetric weeks.
How obstetric weeks are calculated
They are counted not from the moment of conception, but from the first day of the last menstruation. As a rule, all women know exactly this date, so mistakes are almost impossible. nine0003
Obstetric pregnancy is on average 14 days longer than what a woman considers real.
This difference is equal to the average period between the first day of menstruation and expected ovulation.
Why do you need to count obstetric weeks
First, each of them is associated with one or another important stage in the development of the unborn baby.
Secondly, the date of the onset of menstruation is closely related not only to ovulation, but also to the expected date of delivery (ED). To calculate the EDD, gynecologists use the so-called Naegele's rule, according to which exactly 40 obstetric weeks or 280 days pass between the first day of menstruation and childbirth. nine0003
The calculation according to the Naegele rule takes place in three stages.
- The first day of the last menstrual cycle is determined.
- Exactly three calendar months are subtracted from this date.
- The year and 7 days are added to the received date.
For example, a woman's last period started on November 9, 2019. If you subtract 3 calendar months, it will be released on August 9, 2019. We add the year and 7 days and get August 16, 2020. This date will be the expected date of birth. nine0003
How to calculate the gestational age
It's simple. Mark your last period on your calendar and count how many weeks have passed since then.
If, for example, your last period started on June 6 and today is July 18, you are 6 weeks pregnant.
What applications will help you calculate the gestational age
In order not to calculate the weeks again each time, you can use mobile organizer applications. It is enough to enter the date of the first day of the last menstruation once - and the program will automatically calculate which obstetric week you are in.
At the same time, it will help you track your well-being, remind you of the need for scheduled visits to the doctor and give information about the development of the baby. nine0003
1. Pregnancy Calendar
The application helps to accurately calculate and track the obstetric gestational age, and also determines the expected date of delivery. In addition, it tells about how the child grows, what happens to him in each particular week. This information is presented in simple and visual images: for example, the weight of a baby is compared with the mass of popular vegetables and fruits.
The mother's condition is monitored separately. At the start, the application will ask you to specify individual characteristics - age, height, weight. Based on these data, the program calculates the optimal weight gain and gives recommendations on how to take care of yourself, what to eat and what exercises to do. nine0003
Download
Price: Free
Download
Price: Free
2.
This utility is created by BabyCenter, the world's largest online resource for motherhood and childhood. Leading doctors of the best American clinics act as consultants in it.
In addition to calculating your obstetric gestational age and expected due date, you can also get expert information on how your baby develops day by day. The mom-to-be will receive advice on nutrition, vitamins, exercise, as well as weekly checklists with reminders to visit the gynecologist or take routine tests. nine0003
The only drawback of the application is that it is in English.
Download
Price: Free
Download
Price: Free
happens to her and the baby every week.
The feature of this utility is social contacts. By providing Mom Life with your location, you can find women of the same gestational age who live near you. Also in the application are available reviews about doctors, clinics, maternity hospitals located nearby.
