Early pregnancy symptoms can sometimes be confusing. Symptoms such as fatigue and nausea can be easily mistaken for a common illness, and even stress can delay your period.
This is why recognizing the early signs of pregnancy and confirming it with a pregnancy test and an ultrasound is important. Hope Women’s Center is here to support you if you think you may be pregnant.
We can provide you with a lab-quality pregnancy test and a limited ultrasound at no cost to give you the answers you need.
Schedule an appointment today.
Common Early Signs of Pregnancy
Early pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman and are caused by hormonal changes, particularly rising levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone.
These hormones begin to rise after conception, and the body’s response to these hormonal shifts causes symptoms. The most obvious sign you could be pregnant is a missed period, but this can be misleading if you already have irregular periods.
Some common early pregnancy symptoms include:
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Cramping
- Fatigue or low energy levels
- Light bloating
- Food aversions or heightened sensitivity to smell
- Mood changes
- Breast tenderness
- Nasal congestion
- Frequent urination
- Light spotting (implantation bleeding)
Symptoms alone cannot be used to confirm a pregnancy since there are too many variables that can cause similar symptoms, such as PMS or illnesses.
Other factors, such as stress, travel, and exercise, can also affect your cycle’s timing. The next step if you suspect you could be pregnant is to take a pregnancy test, followed by an ultrasound for more complete information about your pregnancy.
What If You Feel Pregnant But Your Test Is Negative?
A pregnancy test can be taken one day after your missed period. If you get a negative result but your period still hasn’t arrived, and you are still experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, it may be too early to test. Repeat testing in a few days to a week.
Pregnancy tests work by detecting hCG levels. This hormone can take longer to rise in some women, so you should avoid testing too early.
If your period doesn’t arrive after a few weeks and your pregnancy tests are still negative, try to take a deep breath and limit your stress. Talk with your OB-GYN if it still doesn’t arrive. They may want to evaluate your irregular period further.
Why Is an Ultrasound Next?
While home pregnancy tests are generally accurate, getting an ultrasound is an important next step because it can confirm the location of the pregnancy, how far along you are, and whether the pregnancy appears to be developing.
For example, around 1 in 4 pregnancies can end in a natural miscarriage, and it is still possible to receive a positive pregnancy test result after loss due to the remaining levels of hCG in the body. Hope Women’s Center offers no-cost, limited ultrasounds to help provide this information.
Take the Next Step at Hope Women’s Center
If you think you could be pregnant, you don’t have to go through this alone.
In addition to our no-cost pregnancy services, we are here to offer you support and information about your options and the resources available to help you. We provide a safe, confidential space where you can ask questions and receive accurate information to help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy.
Make an appointment at our center and receive the care you deserve.