Am I Pregnant?
Are you experiencing symptoms of early pregnancy but aren’t sure what to do. The first step is finding out whether or not you’re pregnant at all. Pregnancy has several early signs and symptoms – if you find yourself experiencing many of these, you should get a pregnancy test as soon as possible.
Sore or Sensitive Breasts
If your breasts feel sore, sensitive, or heavy, it’s possible you could be pregnant. Hormonal changes in your body start the physical changes of pregnancy early on, and breast sensitivity is often one of the first symptoms many women notice when they become pregnant.
Fatigue and Tiredness
Hormonal changes can also lead to feelings of fatigue and tiredness, especially early in pregnancy. While the exact cause of early pregnancy fatigue is unknown, it could be related to elevated levels of progesterone in combination with other symptoms like morning sickness, difficulty sleeping, or aches and pains.
Nausea
Many women report feeling nauseous when they become pregnant, especially early in the day when hormone levels tend to spike. This morning sickness is one of the defining symptoms of early pregnancy, but not all women experience it (or they feel it to very different degrees). If you do find yourself feeling unexplainably sick during the day, pregnancy could be the cause.
Headaches
Headaches are a frequently reported symptom of pregnancy, usually caused by hormonal changes which lead to changes in blood flow in the head and body. If you do think you could be pregnant, you should only take acetaminophen for your headaches – avoid ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, as these medications can harm your developing child and lead to increased risk of pregnancy complications. Some women also report feeling stuffiness and sinus pressure in addition to headaches.
Missed Period
Many of the symptoms listed above are distinct, but they can also be easy to miss or to attribute to other causes. For many women, the first sign they get that they could be pregnant is a missed period. If your periods are generally very regular or if you are more than a few weeks late, you should take a pregnancy test as soon as possible.
Positive Pregnancy Test
If you notice any of the above symptoms in combination or over a period of a few days, a pregnancy test should be in order. Most drugstore pregnancy tests are very accurate from the day of your missed period and beyond, though you should always get a pregnancy test and confirmation ultrasound at your doctor’s office as soon as possible to confirm you are really pregnant.
We want you to know that you are not alone. You may be thinking about parenting, abortion, adoption, or all of these. Lifeline Children’s Services desires to meet you right where you are and give you truthful information and counseling for all the options you are considering.
To talk with a pregnancy counselor call or text 1(800)875-5595 or submit a request for a Pregnancy Counselor to reach out to you today: