Are You Pregnant? Recognizing the First Signs

Your guide to the first signs of pregnancy and how to get tested

Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: December 18, 2023 Approved

If you're pregnant, you may notice early symptoms of pregnancy soon after becoming pregnant. However, not all women have these symptoms, and even if you do, that doesn't necessarily mean you are pregnant. If you think you’re pregnant, the best thing to do is to take a pregnancy test or get tested by your doctor.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Recognizing the Early Signs

Download Article

1
Think about when you last had sex. You must have vaginal sex to be pregnant. Oral sex doesn't count in this case. Also, consider whether you practiced safe sex. If you weren't on a birth control pill and didn't use another form of contraception (such as a diaphragm or condom), you have a much higher chance of getting pregnant than if you did practice safe sex.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- It actually takes about six to ten days after you have sex for the fertilized egg to start the implantation process, which is when you officially become pregnant. That's also when your body starts releasing hormones. A pregnancy test is most accurate if you wait until you miss a period to take it.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
2
Notice when you've missed your period. A missed period is often one of the first signs that you may be pregnant. If you go past your expected start date by a week or more, that could be an indicator that you're pregnant.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- If you track your period, figuring out when you had your period last should be easy. If you don't, try to remember the last time you had your period. If it's been more than a month, it could mean you're pregnant.
- However, this indicator isn't foolproof, especially if you have irregular periods.
Advertisement
While your breasts will increase in size over the course of your pregnancy,^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source

US Office on Women's Health
U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health

Go to source} you may also notice changes early on. Hormones fluctuate in your body when you become pregnant, which can cause tenderness and swelling in your breasts. Once you adapt to the hormonal changes, this particular pain may decrease.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
Pregnancy can often bring on fatigue. You're growing a new life inside you, and that's hard work. However, in early pregnancy, this tiredness is more due to the fact that you have an increase in the hormone progesterone, which can cause drowsiness.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
5
Pay attention to stomach problems. "Morning sickness" is a common issue with newly pregnant women. This refers to nausea that tends to happen in the morning, but can occur at any time of the day. Often, this symptom starts about two weeks after conception and eases up after the first trimester.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- On average, about 70-80% of pregnant women experience morning sickness.^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}
- You may also experience aversion to strong smells or certain foods, while at the same time, you may start craving other foods.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- You may have other digestive problems like constipation.^{[10]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Many women claim to develop a heightened sense of smell, and pick up on noxious smells like spoilage, smoke, and body odors more sensitively. This heightened sensitivity may or may not lead to nausea.
6
Notice if you're running to the bathroom more to urinate. One of the early symptoms you may notice is running to the bathroom to urinate more often. This symptom, like many of the symptoms you'll experience if pregnant, is due to a change in hormones.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Later in the pregnancy, the baby can put pressure on your bladder, which causes you to run to the bathroom. However, early in pregnancy, frequent urination is more likely to be due to hormonal changes.
Some women have a bit of spotting around when their period should begin. You may notice a bit of blood in your underwear or some brownish discharge. It may continue for a few weeks, but it will likely be lighter than your normal period.^{[12]
X
Research source}
The hormonal changes of pregnancy can affect your moods, causing you to be euphoric one minute and crying the next minute. While not everyone gets mood swings early on, it can happen. If you find you're crying at the drop of a hat or snapping at your loved ones, that could be an indicator you're pregnant.^{[13]
X
Research source}
Dizziness can happen at any time during pregnancy, including early pregnancy. In early pregnancy, the cause is likely the fact that your body is creating new blood vessels (causing a change in blood pressure). However, it could also be caused by low blood sugar.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source

US Office on Women's Health
U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health

Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Tested

Download Article

1
Take a home pregnancy test. A pregnancy test is very accurate if you take it after you should have had your period. You can buy pregnancy tests at drugstores, big box stores, and grocery stores. You'll find them with either the family planning products or feminine hygiene products.^{[15]
X
Research source} A few tests are accurate before your missed period, but it should say so on the box.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Take the test when you wake up, as it will be more accurate. Follow the directions on your box, but generally, you urinate on one end of a stick that has a test strip. After you're done, put it on a flat surface.
- Give it about five minutes or so to work. The package should tell you what to be looking for. Some tests show two lines for pregnant, while others are a single blue line.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
2
Decide if you need to do it again with a negative result. Most of the time, if you get a negative result, you're not pregnant. However, if you did the test too early (before your first missed period), it may come back with a negative result even if you are pregnant. If you want to be sure, you may need to take the test again.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Try taking it again after you should have had a period.
3
Confirm a positive result with a doctor. Although modern home pregnancy tests are highly accurate, you want to be 100% sure. Plus, if you are pregnant, you'll want to make a plan, such as deciding if you want to keep the baby or starting prenatal care. You can either take a confidential urine test at a family planning clinic like Planned Parenthood or at your physician's or gynecologist's office.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- Even if a urine test is positive, your doctor may draw blood to confirm that you are pregnant. Then the doctor can help you figure out a plan.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking the Next Steps

Download Article

If the pregnancy came as a surprise, you'll need to decide if you want to keep the baby or not. Think about whether you're in a place to raise a child, both physically and financially. If you're not, could you make the necessary changes to care for the child? A child is a big responsibility, emotionally, physically, and financially. While no parent is perfect, you should at least want the responsibility of caring for another human life.^{[20]
X
Research source}
2
Discuss it with your partner. Think about whether you would want to raise a child with the father of the baby. Your relationship needs to be mature enough to handle the responsibility of caring for and raising a child.^{[21]
X
Research source} If the father is someone you would considering raising a child with, discuss your pregnancy with them to see how you want to move forward together.
- If the father is not around, discuss the pregnancy and your situation with someone who cares about you, such as a parent or a sibling, just to have someone to bounce ideas off of.
If you decide to go through with having the baby, you'll start prenatal care.^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Prenatal care is basically keeping the baby healthy through regular checkups at the doctor. Your doctor will check on your own health, including screening for sexually transmitted diseases and diabetes, and the health of the baby at your first visit. Your doctor will help you set up a schedule for the rest of your visits.^{[23]
X
Research source}
4
Consider if you want to end the pregnancy. You may decide that you don't want to have the baby, and that's a valid choice. If that's the case, your main option is an abortion, though the morning after pill can work up to five days after you've had sex.^{[24]
X
Research source}
- Research abortion clinics in your area. They can help you with your options. Keep in mind, though, many states and countries have laws in place that require doctors to tell you certain information, which is intended to discourage you from having an abortion. Don't let it discourage you if an abortion is what you desire - just make sure you are fully aware of all the risks involved in having an abortion. Some states may require an ultrasound before you can have an abortion. Depending on the state, you may need to get your parent's permission if you're under 18.^{[25]
  X
  Research source}
- The two main types of abortion in the first trimester are medical and surgical. Don't let the word "surgical" scare you, as it generally doesn't involve any cutting. Usually, a tube or forceps are used to open your cervix, and then a suction action is used.^{[26]
  X
  Research source}
- A medical abortion is when a pill is used to induce abortion.
5
Research adoption. If you want to have the baby but feel like you can't raise it yourself, then giving your baby up for adoption can be another option. It is a difficult decision to make, and it is one that is binding, once the papers are signed. If you think this option is for you, begin by reading books about it, researching on the internet, talking to close friends, and talking to an adoption lawyer or an adoption professional.^{[27]
X
Trustworthy Source

Child Welfare Information Gateway
Online portal managed by the U.S. Children's Bureau providing resources related to childcare and abuse prevention

Go to source}
- Talk to the father. In many states in the United States, the father has to give his consent before the adoption becomes official. If you are under 18, you need to talk to your parents before making a decision.
- Decide what kind of adoption you want. You can go through an agency or you can hire a lawyer to arrange an independent adoption outside of an agency.
- Choose the adoptive parents carefully. You may want a family who raises your child in your faith tradition, or you may want a family that's open to you being in the child's life. Also, in some adoptions, the parents may pay for your prenatal care and other medical expenses.

Plan your Pregnancy with this Expert Series

Download Articles

Finding out that you're pregnant can be both exciting and scary. We've put together this expert series to help you announce your pregnancy, make sure you're ready, and put together a pregnancy plan.

1

Tell Your Parents That You Are Pregnant

2

Tell Your Boyfriend You're Pregnant

3

Plan for Kids

4

Tell Coworkers You're Pregnant

5

Prepare for a New Baby

6

Are You Ready for a Baby? Ask Yourself These Questions to Find Out

Download Articles

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I take a pregnancy test before I menstruate?

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Yes, you can take a pregnancy test before you menstruate. However, keep in mind that the test will be more accurate if you wait until after your missed period to take it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 107
Question

Can you still have a period when you're pregnant?

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

You can't have your period if you're pregnant. You may have vaginal bleeding that's intermittent or that seems like a regular period, but bleeding during pregnancy is not the same thing as having your period.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 28 Helpful 120