Am I pregnant?
When you start having sex, you
have a lot of “what ifs”, the main one of which is – am I pregnant? Since many
pregnancy symptoms are not specific to pregnancy, women often wonder if their
symptoms are related to pregnancy or something else.
One of the best things you can
do if you are trying to get pregnant, avoid pregnancy, or figure out your cycle
is to track it! There are many different apps for your smartphone, tablet
and/or computer that will help you know when your next period is due. These
apps can also take notes on your symptoms and after a few months of use can
help shorten your predicted fertility/ovulation window.
Am I pregnant or will my period start soon?
Pregnancy and period symptoms
can be difficult to tell apart because they can be very similar: mood swings,
stomach cramps, back pain, breast tenderness, headaches, and food cravings.
There are several symptoms that are more commonly associated with pregnancy
than menstruation: nausea/vomiting and implantation bleeding. Keep in mind that
not all women experience this.
When a fertilized egg attaches
to the uterine lining about 6 to 12 days after fertilization, some women
experience light spotting for 1 to 3 days, which we call implantation bleeding.
This usually happens just before or before the onset of menstruation.
Nausea that occurs just before
the onset of menstruation is most likely related to early pregnancy (or
something else), and not to the menstrual period. Many people will call this
"morning sickness" although it can happen at any time of the day.
Wait, and if you don't have a normal period when you expect it, it might be
time to take a pregnancy test.
Am I pregnant or ovulating soon?
Ovulation can also have
symptoms similar to early pregnancy; however, it may be helpful to check what
stage of your menstrual cycle you are in. If you don't expect your period
within 12-16 days, you may be experiencing symptoms of ovulation. Also, if your
last period was normal in duration and frequency, it's even more likely that
what you're experiencing is related to ovulation rather than pregnancy.
Symptoms of ovulation are not
obvious to all women and do not occur all the time in all women. These symptoms
may include light spotting, cramps in the abdomen on one side (of the ovary
about to release the egg), breast tenderness, bloating, increased sense of
smell, taste, or vision, and/or increased libido.
If you have these symptoms and
your period won't come until a few days later, wait to see if you're having a
normal period, and if not, it might be time to take a pregnancy test.
Am I pregnant or am I fat?
Usually, by the time a woman
begins to see visible weight gain, she is already in her second trimester.
Typically, at this point, you would have noticed other signs that you might be
pregnant.
If you feel like you've gained
weight, ask yourself a few questions. Did you miss the latest rules / a few
rules? Have you had unprotected sex before? Did you have other pregnancy
symptoms? If you answered yes to these questions, it might be time to take a
pregnancy test.
If not, did you generally eat
more or more unhealthy foods than usual? Have you been exercising less than
usual? Have you experienced any hormonal imbalances or additional stress? All
of this can lead to weight gain. If you're gaining weight quickly and don't
feel like your lifestyle has changed, it might be time to see a doctor.
Am I pregnant or do I have bloating?
Pregnancy, as well as
premenstrual syndrome, ovulation, and an unhealthy diet, can cause bloating.
First, try to rule out a dietary cause. Have you been eating more junk food
(fried, fatty, extra protein) in recent days? Have you had abnormal bowel
movements? Have you had cramps or gas?
If not, then it might be
related to something else. If you are about to start your period, this can also
cause bloating. If your period doesn't start within a few days of expecting it,
it may be time to take a pregnancy test.
Am I pregnant or am I sick?
Often this question arises due
to nausea and / or vomiting. In other cases, it is associated with abdominal
cramps, indigestion, or headaches. Some women even associate common cold
symptoms, such as a runny nose, with early pregnancy. If you experience nausea,
vomiting, cramps, or headaches just a few days after intercourse, it's unlikely
to be pregnancy related.
If you have nausea/vomiting
shortly before your expected period, wait to see if your period comes - if you
have a normal period, this nausea/vomiting is unlikely to be pregnancy related;
go to the doctor because you are probably sick.
A runny nose is not usually associated with early pregnancy, unless you are experiencing other early pregnancy symptoms at the same time. If all you have is a runny nose, this is unlikely to be pregnancy.