Am I Pregnant? (Common pregnancy signs)
Some women don’t realize they’re pregnant until they’ve missed a period, and some say they ‘just know’ the minute it happens.
There are a few classic signs that can make you suspect you’re pregnant even before you do a home pregnancy test.
Breast changes
Your breasts may feel tender, sore or even lumpy to touch, your nipples become more sensitive and may deepen in color, and the veins in your breasts may look more obvious.
Frequent urination
As soon as the embryo starts to produce the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) the blood supply to your pelvic area increases, which can lead to pelvic congestion. Your bladder deals with this by trying to expel even tiny amounts of urine. This is why you might feel like you’re running to the bathroom all the time, but hardly anything is coming out?!
Tiredness
Your body is under a huge amount of pressure in early pregnancy, as it has to support your developing baby and all of your vital organs. It’s no surprise that you feel exhausted and can think only of your bed. It can be even more frustrating if no one knows you’re pregnant, and you have to hide just how tired you really feel. It might be worth telling one close (and discreet) colleague at work that you’re pregnant so that they can help lessen your workload and make excuses for you when everyone is heading for an after-work drink?!
Tastes and cravings
Many women experience a slight metallic taste in their mouths as their hormone levels rise. Food may also taste strange and you might find you go off things like coffee. Some women develop early food cravings, so if you suddenly find yourself dreaming of hot dogs even though you’re a vegetarian you may be pregnant! Cravings are thought to be your body’s way of making up for a deficiency in certain minerals, but this doesn’t explain why some women are drawn to inedible substances such as dirt or laundry detergent. Try to control the stranger food cravings (and the high-calorie kind). See pregnancy cravings for more information.
Smell
If you can suddenly smell your work colleagues’ perfume (or worse!) it may be an indication that you’re expecting. Most smells will become more acute once you’re pregnant, and you may find some smells make you nauseous.
Morning sickness
Some women sail through pregnancy with no sickness at all, but for around 50 percent of us it’s a frustrating part of early pregnancy. It’s not confined to the morning either – it can happen at any time. Studies show a connection between having an empty stomach and feeling nauseous, which is why it’s most common when you wake up. See morning sickness for more information, and 7 ways to beat morning sickness for helpful advice on how to beat it.
Missed period
Although pregnancy is an obvious reason for missing a period it’s not the only one, so don’t assume you’re pregnant until you’ve taken a home pregnancy test. Some women have a couple more periods, caused by hormonal bleeding, even though they’re pregnant; and in rare cases this can occur all the way through pregnancy.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 02/07/2007