By Attia @ Planned Parenthood | June 29, 2020, 8:42 p.m. Show
Category: Pregnancy how soon do you get symptoms of pregnancy? It takes about 2 to 3 weeks after sex for pregnancy to happen. Some people notice pregnancy symptoms as early as a week after pregnancy begins — when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of your uterus. Other people don’t notice symptoms until a few months into their pregnancy. Usually the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Common symptoms of pregnancy include nausea or vomiting, and feeling tired. Other signs are sore or swollen breasts, headaches, and peeing more often than usual. Taking a pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure if you’re pregnant. You can take a home pregnancy test (the kind you buy at a pharmacy or grocery store), visit your nurse or doctor, or contact your local Planned Parenthood health center for testing. Tags: pregnancy, symptoms of pregnancy
Pregnancy is a different experience for each woman. Some women may suspect they’re pregnant within the first few days of pregnancy, while others don’t notice anything until they miss a period. There are also some women who don’t know they’re pregnant until months after conception. The most clear-cut way to know if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. When you take a pregnancy test, it’s measuring a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). This hormone starts building in your body from the moment of conception and will multiply rapidly in the beginning of your pregnancy. Despite its early appearance in the process, it takes some time for your body to build up enough hCG to register on a pregnancy test. Typically, it takes about three to four weeks from the first day of your last period before there’s enough hCG in your body for a positive pregnancy test. When can I take a pregnancy test?Because it takes time for the hormone hCG to build up in your body, it’s often best to wait till you miss your period before taking a home pregnancy test. Before this point the test may come up negative, even if you are actually pregnant. Are home pregnancy tests the best way to check for an early pregnancy?Home pregnancy tests are generally very reliable. These tests involve urinating on a small test strip and then waiting for a symbol to appear in the result window. This window will usually show a test image (sometimes this is a single straight line). This symbol appears first and means that the test is working. Always check the packaging and instructions of your test to make sure it is working correctly. Within a few minutes, the test will show either a positive result or a negative result. Some digital tests will display a word or phrase (pregnant or not pregnant). Blood tests for a possible pregnancy are done in your healthcare provider’s office. This version of the test looks for hCG in your blood. You still need to wait for hCG to build up in your body before taking this type of pregnancy test. Your healthcare provider may recommend this option in some cases. Call your provider if you suspect you’re pregnant and discuss the best type of test. What are five common signs of pregnancy?There are several signs of early pregnancy that you could experience. Not everyone will have all of these symptoms, and some women may not feel any of these things. Pregnancy symptoms throughout the entire pregnancy can vary dramatically between women. It’s important not to compare your pregnancy to someone else’s. Common early pregnancy symptoms can include:
What are some less common signs of early pregnancy?There are some additional signs of early pregnancy that aren’t as common. Just like with the most common symptoms, these signs of pregnancy may or may not happen. It’s important to remember that everyone is different and will experience unique symptoms. Less common signs of early pregnancy can include:
Could I have the symptoms of early pregnancy and not be pregnant?Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy overlap with other medical conditions, as well as your typical menstrual cycle. Premenstrual symptoms can be very similar to pregnancy symptoms. This can make it difficult to tell the difference. You can also miss a period without being pregnant. This can happen when you exercise in extreme amounts, lose or gain a lot of weight, or even are stressed. Breastfeeding can also cause your period to stop for a while. The best way to know you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. If you have missed a period and think there’s a chance you could be pregnant, consider taking a test. When should I call my doctor about a new pregnancy?If you have missed a period, taken a pregnancy test and gotten a positive result, your next step will be to call your healthcare provider for your first appointment. While scheduling, your provider may ask if you have already started taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400mcg of folic acid. These vitamins are important in early pregnancy because they help in the development of your baby’s neural tube. The neural tube will become the brain and spine. Many healthcare providers recommend that any women who could become pregnant take folic acid at all times. If you are planning a pregnancy, a preconception appointment with your healthcare provider is a good place to start. A preconception appointment is especially important if you take medication for a chronic illness or have other medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension or lupus. During this appointment, your provider will discuss any current medical conditions, as well as your general health before pregnancy. This appointment is meant to get you into the best place for a new pregnancy. |