The signs that a teenage girl are pregnant are not really different than the signs of pregnancy in a grown woman. It is possible, although extremely rare, for a girl or woman to have a pregnancy with almost no symptoms at all. It is also possible that many of these symptoms, particularly the early ones, may be caused by conditions other than pregnancy. For example, a girl that is enduring unusual stress, or who is unusually physically active, may experience many of the early signs of a possible pregnancy.
Early Signs
Early signs that may indicate a girl is pregnant include a late, missing or very light menstrual period, unusual spotting and cramping, nausea and vomiting, severe fatigue, appetite changes, swollen, tender or full breasts, darkening of the areola (the skin around your nipples) and the need to urinate frequently.
Later Signs
Later, more obvious signs that a girl is pregnant include a visible bulge in her abdomen, bloating, unexplained weight gain or loss, increased vaginal discharge without unusual smell, burning or itching, unusual aches and food cravings. She may even feel fetal movement.
Pregnancy Tests
When taken as directed, most home pregnancy tests are about 99 percent accurate. Keep in mind that a pregnancy test cannot tell you that you have conceived immediately; hormones must build up in your body for days or weeks before the test can accurately detect them. This "lag" period varies from test to test; as a general rule, if you have missed your regular menstrual period, you can probably get an accurate answer from a home pregnancy test.
Doctor Visit
The only way to be absolutely sure a girl is pregnant is for a doctor to diagnose her pregnancy. A doctor may use an ultrasound or palpation to feel changes in the size and shape of the girl's uterus and cervix, or to listen and look for fetal movements and heart sounds. A doctor can also order a blood test for pregnancy that is more accurate than a home pregnancy test.
