Do you think you might be pregnant? Here are some possible pregnancy signs to watch out for!
Most people suspect that they might be pregnant after missing their period. If you have been pregnant before, you know what to expect, but a new potential parents-to-be might not know that sometimes the early pregnancy symptoms are just PMS.
So, how can you tell if you’re which is which when you are so eager to experience pregnancy symptoms and know that it's actually pregnancy? The below guide can help.
As always, wishing you the very best of luck!
Early signs of pregnancy and pregnancy symptoms
There are some early signs of pregnancy that can start as early as 7 days past ovulation. Just because you're feeling a little off doesn't mean you're pregnant, but it's something to keep in mind if you're trying to conceive.
Here are some of the most common symptoms in the early stages.
Here are some symptoms of early pregnancy
- changes in mood or energy level
- cramps or spotting
- breast tenderness
- nausea or vomiting
- increased urination
Not everyone is the same
If you're trying to conceive, it's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy and understand that not everyone is the same. What might be severe symptoms for some women might go unnoticed by you.
Also, keep in mind that not everyone experiences every symptom, and some people experience different symptoms at different stages of pregnancy. There are no two pregnancies alike!
If you have any concerns, be sure to speak with your doctor.
Mood swing and pregnancy symptoms
Women's health and pregnancy symptoms may vary from woman to woman. Some women experience no symptoms at all in the early weeks of pregnancy. Others have symptoms that are very similar to PMS (premenstrual syndrome). The most common symptoms include fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea, and menstrual period unless pregnancy occurs.
Some women may not experience any pregnancy symptoms during the earliest part of the luteal phase. This is because pregnancy does not occur until the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus. Everyone is different and it's important to listen to your body.
There are some signs that a woman might be pregnant during the first week of the luteal phase. We've listed the most common below.
Some key pregnancy symptoms can include
- nausea
- fatigue
- breast tenderness
- changes in the menstrual cycle
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms and some people experience different symptoms at different stages of pregnancy. It's key that you listen to your body and know what seems unusual to you.
A few more early pregnancy symptoms to watch out for
- breast tenderness
- bloating
- food cravings
- increased nipple sensitivity
- headaches and muscle aches
- morning sickness
- tiredness
- mood swings
However, some early pregnancy symptoms may also occur in those who are not pregnant. This is because of the increased levels of progesterone that are present during the last stages of the menstrual cycle.
Get advice from your healthcare professional
If you are concerned, get checked out by a healthcare professional to determine the cause of your symptoms and to rule out pregnancy.
Positive pregnancy tests - we all dream of this! How do these tests actually work?
Pregnancy tests you can buy at the drug store or chemist work by checking your urine (pee) for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A woman’s body produces higher levels of this hormone when she’s pregnant, and the tests work on a cutoff level to say whether you are pregnant or not.
Although these tests are reliable, it’s always recommended to follow up a home urine test with a test at your doctor to make sure you’re pregnant.
Follow the pregnancy test instructions to get it right!
We need to start off here by saying the professional recommendation is to wait until day 14 post-ovulation for the most accurate results.
However, if you choose to test sooner, make sure to follow the instructions.
A pregnancy test should come with directions about how long you will need to wait between taking the test and checking your results — the wait time is usually about 1-2 minutes. This is because the antibodies in the test need time to sense the hCG in your urine and display a result.
If you check the test before the waiting time is up, you may see a negative result even if you're pregnant. Following the guide is key!
How exactly do you take a pregnancy test?
When you're ready to take the test, most of them work with these simple steps:
- Remove the test from its foil wrapper and follow the instructions.
- Holding the absorbent tip pointing down, place the test in your urine stream for at least five seconds.
- Wait for the test line to appear.
How common is a false negative pregnancy test?
A false negative pregnancy test occurs when you are actually pregnant, but the result of the test says you’re not. There are a few reasons why you might get a false negative on pregnancy tests. You only need a tiny amount of urine to get an accurate result for a positive pregnancy test.
The more diluted your urine is (if you’ve recently drunk a lot of water or in particular ‘diuretics’ such as coffee, tea, or alcohol), the harder it is for the test to pick up on the hCG hormone at a level which will trigger a positive result. So bear this in mind when testing.
They could also occur with an expired test strip.
You also need to be aware that you can be pregnant, but if you test too soon before the hCG levels have built up in your urine then you will get a negative result. This is not really a false negative but just a case of testing too soon.
Home pregnancy tests are usually accurate, but researchers estimate that up to 5% of tests give a false negative.
Positive pregnancy test
Is it positive? If so, congratulations! Make sure to drink plenty of water and look after yourself. Put YOU first during this time.
If it's negative, consider taking another test in a few days. Again, the recommendation is to wait until 14 DPO.
Advice from us
This is an exciting time and it can also be a very stressful one as well. Our advice is to get as much information as you can to help increase your chances and this includes tracking your cycle.
Continue to track your cycles with a recommended method such as continuous Core Body Temperature (cCBT). OvuSense is the most clinically proven method to do this. Seek professional medical advice if you are unsure.
This is YOUR individual journey. Try and enjoy it. No two pregnancies are the same.
