How Do I Know If I'm Pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms are not the same for every woman. Some women experience very mild signs while some may not experience any symptoms at all. But being aware of your body, noticing the slightest changes, does help in knowing whether you are pregnant or not. Here is a list of the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy which many women experience.

Within weeks of conceiving, if the woman pays close attention to her body, she will notice that her breasts have become very tender. The breasts might also feel slightly fuller than normal, almost similar to the way breasts feel before the periods.

If the woman looks carefully, she might observe that her areola has become slightly darker than normal. So, if a woman is experiencing all these bodily changes, she could be pregnant.

It is often seen that women who are pregnant, get a feeling of nausea, especially upon waking up. They also find that their sense of smell has suddenly increased. Thus, there is a possibility that any woman who is suddenly experiencing these symptoms, after having unprotected sex, could be pregnant.

Spotting in between periods could be due to implantation bleeding. Almost twenty to thirty percent of women are known to experience implantation bleeding during their pregnancy.

It occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus lining, causing discharge of blood from the vagina in the process. Implantation bleeding usually occurs 5-7 days prior to the dates when a woman's periods are due.

If the woman is experiencing abdominal cramping without any reason, it could be because she has conceived. Sometimes, implantation does not cause bleeding, might only cause cramping. So cramping is another way of telling that implantation of the fertilized egg has taken place in the uterus.

If a woman is feeling constantly tired for no rhyme or reason, it could be possible that it is due to pregnancy. The reason behind this is that when a woman conceives, her progesterone levels increase, accompanied by an accelerated production of blood. Simultaneously, her blood sugar levels, as well as blood pressure levels, fall. These changes make her body feel tired and fatigued all the time.

Researches have shown that the body of the woman makes more than normal fluids, thus putting a lot of pressure on the bladder when she is pregnant. In such circumstances, the woman experiences frequent urination. So any woman who suddenly finds herself going to the bathroom every now and then should take it as a sign of pregnancy.

One of the early signs is that the eating habits of the woman undergo a sea change. For instance, if the woman suddenly develops a craving for some food or if she feels totally averted by some foods, the reason could be a possible pregnancy. Such food cravings and food aversions sometimes last throughout the pregnancy in a woman.

When a woman is pregnant, a lot of hormonal changes take place inside her body, which could lead to headaches. Secondly, as the uterus grows, it puts pressure on the woman's back and thus, she experiences a backache too. Headaches and backaches, that have started out of the blue, without any cause, could be because the woman is pregnant.

By identifying such signs and symptoms in herself, a woman can come to know whether she is pregnant or not. Still, to be absolutely sure, a woman should get a test done or alternately, get a urine pregnancy test kit from a chemist and find it out herself at home.

The best time to take a test is a couple of days after the periods are due. Some of the home pregnancy tests available at the chemist are known to have a 97-99% accuracy rate. In the end, once the pregnancy is confirmed, the woman should not wait for any further, and immediately start taking the necessary care and precautions for a safe pregnancy.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.