Some may think it's easy to tell when you are pregnant. You miss a period, take a home pregnancy test and trust in the positive result. For some women however, it's just not that simple. Some women want hardcore physical proof that goes beyond a delayed menstrual cycle. While the signs of pregnancy may vary for each woman, common signs do exist to help you determine whether or not conception has taken place.
The Positive Test
According to BabyCenter.com, many home pregnancy tests are not able to give you a positive result until about a week after your missed period, even if the manufacturers claim it can be taken sooner. Once you take the test and get your plus symbol however, call your doctor and make an appointment to have the results verified.
Your Missed Period
This is perhaps one of the first indications of pregnancy, especially if your cycle always arrives on time. A missed period, combined with other pregnancy symptoms, can cause you to be to sure of your condition before you even buy your home pregnancy test.
Bloating
Some early symptoms of pregnancy mirror symptoms of menstruation, and abdominal bloating is one of them. This is caused by the hormonal changes taking place as your body prepares itself to care for the growing embryo. Even though your uterus is still small, your clothes may begin to feel tighter around your waist during the two to three weeks following conception.
Nausea or Vomiting
Better known as morning sickness, nausea and vomiting can happen at any time of the day and is a classic sign of pregnancy. Although it can last throughout the entire pregnancy, it is better known as being an indication of pregnancy, occurring mainly during the first trimester when levels of estrogen are at their highest.
Feeling Tired and Run Down
Another classic symptom of pregnancy, fatigue is common, especially during the first trimester when progesterone levels are at their highest. The increase in this hormone can cause you to feel exhausted to the point of barely being able to keep your eyes open.
Tender Breasts
According to both the Mayo Clinic and BabyCenter.com, tender, swollen breasts are another early sign of pregnancy. Tender breasts are caused by the flood of hormones in your body, and while the discomfort may resemble the discomfort you feel in your breasts during your menstrual cycle, when it is due to pregnancy, the pain may be a bit more severe. You may notice that your breasts also feel heavier or fuller; this is because they are preparing to fill with milk for the baby.
Spotting
Also known as implantation bleeding, this occurs about seven days before your normal menstrual cycle (about 12 days after conceptions). While it happens close to the time of your normal cycle, the difference is in the color. Implantation bleeding is pink rather than the red of your normal cycle. It also appears scantily, whereas your period flows on a consistent basis, starting heavy and progressing to light.
Repulsed By Certain Odors
While you need increased estrogen when conception first takes place, this hormone can wreak havoc with your body. Aside from causing morning sickness, estrogen may also be the culprit behind an increased dislike for certain odors, such as the smell of specific foods or drinks. You may find yourself being repulsed not only by the smell of foods you disliked before pregnancy, but also by foods you used to love.
Increased Bathroom Breaks
Frequent urination is another tell-tale sign of pregnancy. This is due to an increase in bodily fluids and blood needed to care for the baby and you. The excess fluids end up in your kidneys, where they are processed and sent to your bladder for excretion.
Basal Body Temperature
According to the Mayo Clinic basal body temperature is your oral temperature first thing in the morning. It increases slightly after ovulation and will remain elevated until your next period if conception has not taken place. However, if you are pregnant, it will stay elevated for at least 18 days in a row, according to BabyCenter.com. This is only a sign of early pregnancy for those who chart their basal body temperature on a daily basis though.
