How to Know If You Are Pregnant
Knowing if you are pregnant is a vital step in your journey towards planning and making decisions about your pregnancy and your baby’s future. While there are many signs and symptoms that can indicate pregnancy, there is only one surefire way to know: taking a pregnancy test.
What Are the Most Common Signs of Pregnancy?
Today, most women are aware of the common signs and symptoms of pregnancy, which include:
- Missing Your Period – This is the most common sign that you could be pregnant – if it’s more than a week overdue.
- Tender Breasts – You may feel your breasts swelling and be increasingly tender to the touch.
- Nausea – Many pregnant women experience nausea, especially around the time of their missed period.
- Fatigue – Pregnancy brings with it an overwhelming sense of fatigue that comes and goes throughout the day.
- Frequent Urination – You may find yourself going to the bathroom more often, as your body is processing larger amounts of fluid.
- Mood Swings – Rapid hormone changes can often lead to sudden and unexpected mood swings.
While experienced by many women, not all women experience the same symptoms. Additionally, these symptoms may be caused by something other than pregnancy.
How Can I Tell If I’m Pregnant?
The only sure way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. Most pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. If you’re pregnant, levels of hCG increase rapidly, doubling every 48 to 72 hours. Tests like the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown can detect even small amounts of hGC as early as three days before your expected period.
When Is the Best Time to Take a Pregnancy Test?
The best time to take a pregnancy test is after your period is late, or at least one week after you expect it to arrive. Taking the test too early may not give you the most accurate results. If you think you may be pregnant, take the test when your period is due and then again a few days later to be sure.
No matter where you are in your pregnancy journey, it’s important to understand how to know if you are pregnant. Now that you know more about the signs, symptoms, and best methods to determine if you are pregnant, you’ve taken the first step towards a successful pregnancy.
Welcome to my fertility blog. This is a space where I will be sharing my experiences as I navigate through the world of fertility treatments, as well as provide information and resources about fertility and pregnancy.
