I missed my periods and am feeling nausea. Am not sure but, am I pregnant? If this is what you are asking yourself, the most definite and reliable way of determining if you are pregnant, for sure, is taking a pregnancy test. However, if you are trying to get pregnant, or you simply became intimately involved while unprotected, and you are curious to know if you got yourself pregnant, then, there are some symptoms that can indicate pregnancy, prompting you to get a test done.
Some women understand their bodies so well that they easily detect any changes, and especially those that come as a result of pregnancy. However, others may have no idea what being pregnant feels like, and especially the new mothers. The “am I pregnant” question only comes after they miss their periods, which happens to be the most commonly recognizable sign of a possible pregnancy.
It is good to note here that the early symptoms of pregnancy vary from woman to woman, and also from one pregnancy to another. Therefore, not all women will exhibit or experience the same symptoms. You may also experience different symptoms with different pregnancies. Also good to note is that most of the pregnancy symptoms may be very similar to what one feels during menstruation or when one is infected or sick. Therefore, some may easily pass unnoticed, or may mean other conditions or sicknesses and not pregnancy. When you notice them, arrange to have a pregnancy test done to confirm.
Am I Pregnant? Yes You Probably Are If:
- You are spotting and cramping.
- You have swollen, tingly and sore breasts.
- You are feeling fatigued.
- You are experiencing nausea (morning sickness).
- You missed a period.
- You are frequently urinating.
- You are feeling constipated or bloated.
- You have developed mood swings.
- You are experiencing chronic back pain and mild headaches.
- You are fainting and/or regularly feeling dizzy
When one is pregnant, you may experience all of the above symptoms or just some of them. If any of them becomes bothersome, please talk to a doctor. They may advise you on ways of offsetting some of the symptoms. For a better understanding of some of the most common among these symptoms, as well as why they may occur, lets take an in-depth look.
Am I Pregnant – The Most Common Symptoms
- Spotting and cramping:
Spotting is also known as the implantation bleeding. It is a symptom that occurs 6-12 days after fertilization of the egg as it attaches itself to the uterine walls. This may also be accompanied by a milky, white discharge. Cramping, on the other hand, is very similar to menstrual cramps. However, since most women experience similar symptoms before, during, and after menstruation, these early signs of pregnancy usually go unnoticed. Other causes of similar symptoms include infection, altered menstruation, use of birth control pills, and abrasion during intercourse. - Breast changes:
My breasts are full and painful. Am I pregnant? Due to the rapid hormonal changes in the body as a result of a pregnancy, the breasts may feel fuller, tender, heavier, painful, tingly, or sore. The area around the nipples may also darken. All this may happen within one week or two weeks. This is a sign of conception. With time, the pain eases as you get used to these high levels of hormones. - Fatigue:
Am I pregnant because I feel so fatigued and uncomfortable? As early as the first week, you may start feeling extremely tired even when you have not worked at all. This occurs due to the high levels of the hormone progesterone in your body. However, other factors like low blood sugar, increased blood production and low blood pressure can also contribute to this. Eating foods rich in iron and proteins, as well as getting enough rest can offset these symptoms. - Nausea:
I have been vomiting, or feeling like vomiting most of the time, and especially when I wake up in the morning. Am I pregnant? The slowed rate of stomach emptying, caused by increased levels of estrogen, causes nausea – the feeling of vomiting. Many women refer to this as morning sickness although these nauseating feelings can occur at any time of the day. It is also true that not all women experience these feelings during pregnancy. Together with this, most women will develop cravings for certain foods, and also a passionate hate for some other foods. - Missed periods:
When most women miss a period, the first question on their mind is “am I pregnant?”. This is by far the most obvious and common early pregnancy symptom. However, not all missed or delayed periods mean pregnancy. Its also true that not all pregnancies are free of periodic bleeding.
So, am I pregnant? You be if you are experiencing some, or all of the above symptoms, but confirm it by taking a pregnancy test.
