Finding Out that You Are Pregnant

Finding out that you are pregnant can create a wide range of emotions! You may feel happy, excited, sad, nervous, dissapointed, ecstatic or all of the above. Some women are relieved when they finally become pregnant, especially if they have been trying for some time to conceive. However, some women and young girls feel overwhelmed with the idea of being pregnant. Females that were not planning their pregnancy or are simply not ready to become pregnant often have a hard time coping with positive results.

Sometimes women know that they are pregnant right away and other women do not realize they are actually pregnant for months. Most women find out they are pregnant after they miss their monthly period.

About a week after conception, hormones begin to surge and the production of hCG begins. Most women will begin to feel some signs and symptoms of early pregnancy. Tender, lumpy breasts are normally the first sign of pregnancy. Even before you have actually missed your period you might feel tired, have some cramping, light implantation spotting, nausea or food aversions. Many women also notice the increased need to urinate more frequently. You will not be able to actually see that you are pregnant, but you might feel bloated.

Approximately four weeks after your last menstrual period, hCG can be detected in your urine if you are actually pregnant. When using a home pregnancy test, you should always use the first morning's urine because it contains the highest amounts of hCG. You will want to confirm your pregnancy at your doctor's office after receiving a positive home pregnancy test result. Your doctor will either do a urine test or a blood test, which is more accurate. You will also get a due date after finding out that you are pregnant. The due date is calculated 40 weeks from your last menstrual period. It is normal for women to deliver their baby anytime between week 38 and 42.

After you find out that you are pregnant, you should make sure that you are taking prenatal vitamins to minimize the chances of birth defects in your baby. You should also look at your lifestyle. Make sure that the lifestyle you lead is healthy for the development and growth of a newborn baby. Evaluate your eating habits, alcohol consumption, work schedule and home life. Make changes where changes are necessary and continue to drink plenty of fluids, get adequate amounts of rest and moderate amounts of exercise.