Have you noticed a change in how you’ve been feeling recently, perhaps feeling a bit out of sorts or not quite yourself? It’s not uncommon to experience differences in our physical and emotional states for all kinds of reasons.
However, if you’re sexually active, there might be something else to keep in mind. These changes might indicate an unexpected pregnancy.
This is a natural concern for many, and understanding the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy can be crucial in promptly addressing your health and well-being.
What Should I Look For?
Pregnancy looks and feels different for everyone. In fact, some women don’t show signs or symptoms at all. That said, there are many indicators you can look at to assess whether you should take a pregnancy test.
Missed Period
Perhaps the most common sign you should take a pregnancy test is a missed period. Of course, it can be difficult to determine if you’ve missed your period if you have irregular cycles. Still, if you think you’ve missed it, there’s no clearer sign that you should test.
Frequent Urination
Are you going to the bathroom more often than usual? During pregnancy, the volume of blood in your body rises, leading your kidneys to handle more fluid than normal. This additional fluid eventually makes its way to your bladder, resulting in the increased need to urinate.
Nausea, With or Without Vomiting
Do you feel nauseous? Have you been vomiting, or are you experiencing both symptoms? As pregnancy progresses, there’s a rise in the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
This increase in pregnancy hormones is commonly responsible for triggering nausea and what is known as morning sickness. Despite the name, morning sickness can happen at any time during the day.
Feeling Tired
Maybe the second biggest indicator you’re pregnant, though it could be for a lot of other reasons as well, is feeling more exhausted than usual. There’s no hard science on why pregnancy causes fatigue, but it may be due to the rising progesterone hormone in your body.
Other Signs
There are a variety of other symptoms you may notice, such as moodiness, bloating, light spotting, cramping, constipation, and food aversions. It’s good to note that pregnancy signs can be difficult to spot because these signs aren’t truly unique to pregnancy; they could just be random or indicative of other health concerns.
Free Pregnancy Testing
Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on ambiguous signs or symptoms to determine if you are pregnant.
You can get free pregnancy testing from The Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston. If our staff determines an ultrasound can be performed, our ultrasound technician or registered nurse will perform a limited ultrasound free of charge as well.
Contact us today to get the answers you need.