You may have noticed your body behaving differently and begun to wonder whether pregnancy is the reason. Perhaps your period is late, or fatigue has settled in without an obvious cause.
Early pregnancy looks different for every woman. Some recognize changes within a week or two of conception, while others notice nothing at all until well into the first trimester.
Read on to learn which symptoms are common in the earliest weeks, which ones require immediate medical attention, how to obtain a reliable answer, and how Birthright of Memphis can help.
Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic identifies several signs that appear most frequently at the beginning of a pregnancy:
- Missed period
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Tender or swollen breasts
- Fatigue
- Increased urination
Other changes that can be indicators are easier to overlook:
- Moodiness
- Bloating
- Food aversions
- Light spotting
- Cramping
- Constipation
Keep in mind that hormonal fluctuation, stress, illness, and thyroid conditions produce many of these same effects, so the presence of these symptoms is a prompt to test rather than evidence of a pregnancy.
Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention
A few early symptoms point to a condition that cannot wait. Sharp or persistent pain concentrated on one side of the pelvis, pain in the shoulder or neck, heavy vaginal bleeding, dizziness, or fainting can indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which develops outside the uterus.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot be carried to term and is a serious threat to your health, including a risk of rupturing the fallopian tube, causing severe internal bleeding.
Seek emergency care right away if these symptoms appear.
Confirming a Pregnancy
An at-home test examines your urine for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone released once a fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus.
Accuracy improves considerably when you test after a missed period, use first morning urine, and avoid drinking large amounts of fluid beforehand.
A false negative is still possible when hCG levels remain low, so confirming the result with a lab-quality test protects you from making plans based on incomplete information.
Get the Answers You Need at Birthright of Memphis
Birthright of Memphis provides free, on-site, lab-quality pregnancy testing, with results given during your appointment so that you leave with an answer instead of another week of uncertainty.
Our staff will also take the time to answer any questions or concerns you mWhat Are the Early Pregnancy Symptoms?ay have and share information about the support and resources available to you.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.
