Do you think that you might be pregnant? If you haven’t been tracking your menstrual cycle then you may not be sure when your next period may arrive. If you are contemplating your cycle and think you may be overdue for your period, you may very well be pregnant. Women generally experience the symptoms of pregnancy between six to eight weeks after conception. A home pregnancy test will give you the final answer you need. If you can’t get to the pharmacy right now, here are nine common signs of pregnancy that you can check for.
1. Have you Been Experiencing Mood Swings?
Hormonal changes during the beginning of pregnancy can cause heightened emotions. These emotions can be both good and bad. Go with the flow and try and manage your mood state. If you are having trouble coping, then speak to your doctor about a solution.
2. Food Cravings and Aversions
Your body elevates estrogen production during pregnancy. This has been tied to food aversions and cravings. Certain foods that you may have loved, may now seem awful. You may also experience intense cravings for foods that you do not normally eat.
3. Increased Urination Frequency
Hormonal changes in your body will also affect your kidney function. Pregnancy increases blood flow to the kidneys, filling your bladder faster than normal and increasing your need to urinate. When the baby is near the five to six-month mark, it will begin to exert pressure on your bladder. As your pregnancy develops, your urination frequency will dramatically increase.
4. Tummy Bloating
Elevated estrogen production during pregnancy can leave your abdomen feeling bloated, especially after eating. This feeling may be similar to the bloating experienced during a period. It’s nothing to be concerned about and will eventually be passed through your system and the bloating will subside.
5. Feeling Fatigued
If you are feeling tired all the time, then you may be pregnant. The increased production of the hormone progesterone may have something to do with it. Waking up in the middle of the night to urinate, or feeling nauseous is one of the tell-tale signs of pregnancy.
6. Morning Sickness and Nausea
One of the classic signs of pregnancy is morning sickness. While it usually strikes in the morning, you can feel nauseous at any stage of the day. You will begin to feel nausea subside after the end of the first trimester. Morning sickness does not occur in every pregnancy; some fortunate mothers-to-be may never experience it.
7. Sensitive or Sore Breasts
One of the most common signs of pregnancy is sensitive or sore breasts. You may feel sensitivity that is similar to what you may experience during your period. This is caused by elevated hormone levels and should subside before the end of the first trimester, or shortly thereafter.
8. Elevated Body Temperature
Some expectant mothers looking to conceive may track their body temperature. If you experience an increase in body temperature or begin to feel hot flushes then you may be pregnant.
9. You have Missed your Period
Of all the signs of pregnancy, missing your period is the number one sign that you should be looking for. If you do not experience regular timing with your period, then you may feel the signs of breast sensitivity or increased urination, before you realize you didn’t receive your period.
If you are experiencing any of the above signs of pregnancy, it’s time to head to the pharmacy to buy a home pregnancy test. If the test is positive, arrange a consultation with your doctor for a pregnancy exam.
If you are pregnant, congratulations! Here are all our amazing resources for all things pregnancy in EXPECT.
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