Pregnancy symptoms can vary between women, but there are common symptoms. If you are pregnant, you might experience a missed period, tender breasts, nausea, and fatigue. To learn more about pregnancy symptoms, keep reading.
Missed Period
Sometimes, the first pregnancy symptom a woman has is a missed period. A hormone influx alerts a woman’s body to stop her menstrual cycle.
A missed period isn’t always a sign of pregnancy, however. When a woman has an irregular cycle, it can be tricky to determine when to expect her period. Other things that can cause a shift in hormones can also cause a missed period, for example, stress or weight changes.
Tender Breasts
Because early pregnancy causes hormone changes, a woman’s breasts might become tender and swollen.
Some women, however, experience swollen, tender breasts as a sign that their period will soon start. It is not an accurate predictor of pregnancy.
Nausea
Though nausea in pregnancy is usually called morning sickness, it can happen at any time of the day. Nausea with or without vomiting can be caused by the hormones increasing in a woman’s body during pregnancy.
Since nausea can occur for other reasons, like being sick, it isn’t a reliable indicator of pregnancy.
Fatigue
Pregnancy hormones can also cause a woman to feel very tired and sleepy even when she feels like she had adequate rest.
Illness and environmental issues can also make a woman feel tired, so fatigue can not be used to diagnose pregnancy.
Frequent Urination
When a woman becomes pregnant, her blood volume increases. This puts more work on the kidneys as they have more blood to filter. This results in peeing more often than usual.
Like the other common pregnancy symptoms, frequent urination can have explanations unrelated to pregnancy so it should not be used to predict pregnancy.
Pregnancy Testing
As you can see, pregnancy symptoms can be confusing and sometimes misleading. If you are experiencing multiple early pregnancy symptoms, it might be a more clear indication of pregnancy.
If you think there is a chance that you are pregnant and you have missed your period, you should take a pregnancy test. For the most accuracy, obtain a medical-grade pregnancy test.
Reach Out
HopePlace is here to support you. We offer free pregnancy tests and can give you information about your options. Contact us today to schedule a free appointment.