Some of the signs of early pregnancy can be similar to PMS (sore or tender breasts, nausea, etc.) The only way to really tell is to take a pregnancy test.
The recommended wait time is a week after your first missed period. There are other symptoms to make note of before you consider your next steps.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
If you’ve recently had unprotected sex and are experiencing symptoms don’t panic. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you are pregnant. The best thing you can do is just take inventory of these symptoms and then take a pregnancy test.
If you have one or more of the following symptoms (all mentioned below) don’t panic. There are resources and centers like ours at Boston Center for Pregnancy Choices to help you navigate through this process.
A Missed Period
According to the Mayo Clinic, a missed period may indicate early pregnancy. However, this can be misleading if your cycle is irregular or possibly just a few days late.
Tender or Swollen Breasts
This is a temporary symptom caused by hormonal changes if, indeed, you are pregnant. It usually only lasts a few weeks in the first stage of pregnancy.
Nausea
Even if you’re not vomiting, nausea may generally occur about a month after the pregnancy begins. This symptom is known as morning sickness and can actually occur any time of the day.
Increased Urination
If you find yourself going to the bathroom more often than normal, this could be a sign of pregnancy. It usually means that your body has increased levels of hormones, and is producing more blood, which results in your kidneys producing extra fluid which ends up in your bladder.
Fatigue
If you feel a strong resistance to staying awake throughout the day, this could possibly be a pregnancy symptom. No one knows exactly what causes fatigue, but the rise of the hormone progesterone could be involved.
Other Symptoms
There are other symptoms such as spotting or mood swings, but those vary from woman to woman and are a little less consistent for predicting pregnancy.
When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
If you have taken inventory of your symptoms and are ready to confirm, it’s best to wait a week after your missed period.
If you take an at-home pregnancy test, you’ll still want to verify with a lab-quality pregnancy test and follow up with an ultrasound.
Schedule a Pregnancy Test & Ultrasound
We offer no-cost pregnancy tests and limited obstetric ultrasound referrals. Ultrasounds help to confirm a pregnancy, tell you how far along you are, and confirm that the pregnancy is correctly positioned within the uterus, which eliminates the complication of an ectopic pregnancy.
If this is an unplanned pregnancy, we also offer educational resources within a pressure-free environment for you to consider and discuss the next steps. Contact us today!
