How to Tell If You're Pregnant

Having a baby is a very exciting time. If you've made the decision to have a baby the first thing you want to know is if your pregnant or not. The first clue for many women is a late menstrual period. But should you be overwhelmed with joy or is cautious optimism in order? After all other conditions can delay your menstrual cycle such being under too much stress.

On the other hand, you can have some spotting and still be pregnant. This means that bleeding doesn't completely eliminate the possibility of pregnancy. Other woman may experience fatigue in the first few weeks. Also, nausea and vomiting especially in the morning a week or two after your first missed period. You may experience some soreness, swelling or tingling in the breast.

The areolae (dark area around the nipples of the breast) may get darker. However, by themselves, these symptoms and signs are simply suggestive and do not prove that you are defiantly pregnant. Even a late period isn't really a reliable sign until it is at least two weeks late. If you were to go and see your obstetrician at this time they may find physical signs in your body to back it up. Your uterus may feel softer, larger and rounder. Because of the increased blood flow the cervix and vagina may be blue or purple in color.

Many women know that they are pregnant before they even see their doctor because they run a home pregnancy test. These test vary in sensitivity and are designed to detect the existence of urine human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) in the urine. HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta shortly after fertilization takes place. Some home pregnancy tests may require up to two weeks while others may be able to detect HCG after just one day.

There are several over the counter pregnancy tests to choose from. However, no matter which test you choose, if done right and the directions are followed carefully, the results are ninety to ninety five percent accurate. The only one hundred percent accurate pregnancy test is a urine blood test. Blood test measure a part of the HCG molecule known as the beta-subunit. Since the luteinizing hormone (LG) (one of the hormones that regulates the menstrual cycle that when found present in the urine may give positive pregnancy test results even when the woman is not pregnant) doesn't have a beta-subunit, this test can decipher between the LH and HCG. And if you have this test done and get back positive results you can start rejoicing because congratulations your pregnant.