What Are the Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

The time between when you had sex and your expected period can feel like forever when you’re waiting to find out if you’re pregnant.

Most at-home pregnancy tests instruct you to wait until close to or after your missed period to get an accurate result. During that waiting time, you may experience signs and symptoms that make you suspect you’re pregnant.

Here are a few early pregnancy signs and symptoms you could experience.

1. Nausea with or without Vomiting

Have you been feeling nauseous? Commonly known as “morning sickness,” pregnancy nausea can happen at any time of day or night. While the cause isn’t fully known, it’s likely due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.

2.Tender, Swollen Breasts

If your breasts feel tender to touch, sore, or swollen, this could be an early pregnancy symptom. However, it can be similar to how your breasts can feel before a monthly period.

One difference during pregnancy is that your areolas (the area around your nipples) can darken and enlarge. If you notice this change, it could be a sign of pregnancy.

3.Fatigue

Do you feel sleepy, tired, or want to nap? Fatigue is a common early pregnancy symptom likely caused by high levels of the hormone progesterone. If you feel like you just can’t rest enough and you have lower-than-normal energy levels, it could be pregnancy.

4.Frequent Urination

Maybe you used to go hours without using the restroom, and now you have to look for one whenever you leave the house.

When pregnant, the body’s blood supply increases, causing the kidneys to process more fluid. The kidneys filtering more blood means extra fluid will end up in the bladder, leading to more frequent urges to urinate.

5.Missed Period

A missed period is one of the most obvious signs that you could be pregnant. However, women with irregular periods may not notice right away.

When you become pregnant, your body releases hormones to stop ovulation and menstruation. This means that you will not have a period until after pregnancy.

Are You Ready for Pregnancy Testing?

If you’ve missed your period, it’s time to take a pregnancy test.

Visit First Care for free lab-quality pregnancy testing. If your pregnancy test result is positive, we can schedule a free ultrasound scan to provide more information regarding your pregnancy as you navigate your next steps.

Schedule a confidential appointment at one of our five locations today!