How to Know If You're Pregnant

Whether you're planning to become pregnant, or might be expecting a bundle of surprise, if you're reading this article, you're likely analyzing a myriad of symptoms and wondering if they could mean you're pregnant. Every woman's experience with pregnancy is different, and you may or may not have the same symptoms as another woman, but here are some things that are commonly experienced in early pregnancy.

1. Implantation bleeding
Not all pregnant women experience implantation bleeding, but for those who do, this could be the very first sign of pregnancy. According to American Pregnancy.org, implantation bleeding occurs around 6-12 days after conception, as the embryo implants itself in the uterine lining, causing some spotting and cramping. While this bleeding can be a sign of pregnancy, it could be mistaken for the beginning of your period, or could be caused by switching birth control pills.

2. Nausea (Known as Morning Sickness during pregnancy)
This symptom is experienced by many, but not all pregnant women. American Pregnancy.org says that this symptom usually shows up in the first 2-8 weeks of pregnancy. Morning sickness is a misnomer - pregnant women can experience nausea at any time of day. Some women only experience morning sickness for a few weeks - others will experience it for their entire pregnancy. In some cases, morning sickness can become quite severe, necessitating medication or hospital stays. According to WebMD.com, this form of morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum, is rare, but women who are pregnant and experiencing extreme nausea should consult their doctor. Nausea is not a definitive sign of pregnancy, though - other causes for nausea can be food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders and viruses, says American Pregnancy.org.

3. Needing to urinate more frequently
Pregnant women often feel the need to urinate more frequently. In early pregnancy, this is related to the increase in fluids being filtered by your kidneys, says Babycenter.com. According to American Pregnancy.org, this frequency tends to begin around 6-8 weeks of pregnancy. In later pregnancy, the need to urinate will become more frequent as the weight of the fetus puts pressure on the bladder. American Pregnancy.org also says that other reasons for this could be a urinary tract infection, increased fluid intake, diabetes, or taking diuretics (caffeine counts).

4. Heightened sense of smell
The reasons for a pregnant woman's sensitive sniffer are still somewhat mysterious, but according to Babycenter.com, this may be due to an increase in estrogen. Many pregnant women find that, though something may have smelled wonderful prior to pregnancy, after becoming pregnant, the smell becomes revolting.

5. Basal body temperature remains elevated
Many women who are actively trying to get pregnant choose to chart their basal body temperature (your body temperature as taken first thing in the morning, before getting out of bed, says MayoClinic.com). The initial elevation in basal body temperature can indicate ovulation, and, according to Babycenter.com, if your basal body temperature stays elevated for 18 consecutive days, it can be a sign of pregnancy!

6. Fatigue
According to MayoClinic.com, in early pregnancy, your progesterone levels increase rapidly, which can cause fatigue. Pregnancy also places extra demands on your blood sugar, and can lower your blood pressure as your blood volume increases. All of this can cause you to feel fatigued. While fatigue can be a sign of pregnancy, American Pregnancy.org lists other reasons for fatigue, including stress, exhaustion, depression, the common cold, or the flu.

7. Bloating
In early pregnancy, you may feel that your clothes are getting tighter. This is not yet due to an expanding uterus, but according to Babycenter.com, it can be a sign of pregnancy as your body retains water.

8. Tender breasts
This may also be one of the first signs of pregnancy, beginning at about 1-2 weeks after conception. Pregnant women often feel that their breasts are sore, swollen, and tender to the touch - these feelings could also be caused by a hormonal imbalance, PMS, or birth control pills, says American Pregnancy.org.

9. A missed period
In the absence of other symptoms, this is usually a woman's first hint that she may be pregnant, but even this is not definite. According to Babycenter.com, women's cycles can vary, plus, if you're not paying attention to your cycle, you may not be 100% sure when to expect your period, so being a day late doesn't automatically mean you're pregnant, but it could! American Pregnancy.org says that other reasons for a delayed period could include excessive weight gain or weight loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, stopping birth control pills, or, if you are a new mother, breastfeeding.

10. A positive pregnancy test
This one is a dead giveaway that you're pregnant! Although many brands advertise can yield a positive (i.e., "Pregnant") result up to five days before you expect your period, according to Babycenter.com, the most reliable time to use the test is about a week after your missed period. If you get a negative ("Not Pregnant") result before a week has passed, test again in a few days if your period is still missing in action. If your result is positive, though, congrats are in order - you're pregnant! False positives are extremely rare when you follow the pregnancy test instructions and read the result within the appropriate time limit.

If you do get a positive pregnancy test, what do you do next? Call and schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN or other medical practitioner, who will be able to confirm the pregnancy and provide the best care for you and your baby.

(Disclaimer: The author of this article is not a physician. This article is in no way meant to be a substitute for medical advice.)