The Early Signs Of Pregnancy-Am I Really Pregnant?

Most women don't even suspect that they are pregnant until they miss a period but there are signs that show even before that which may indicate that you are pregnant.

They are:

• A sickness or a feeling of nausea
• Having a weird metallic taste in your mouth
• Tingling or enlargement of the breasts and also tenderness too
• The sign of the small bumps called "Montgomery's tubercules" becoming more noticeable on your nipples
• Stomach pans
• Feeling tired
• Constipation
• The need to go to the toilet and urinate more often than usual
• Going off certain foods for example coffee or fatty foods
• An increase in vaginal discharge
• The mistaking of the light bleeding or "spotting" as it is known as their period
  

These signs are very useful if you know what you are looking for in determining whether or not you may be pregnant prior to missing your period.

When is the best time to do a test?

There are a variety of tests available on the market these days,some more sensitive than others and these can be used before your period if you suspect you are pregnant in the case of the more sensitive tests or on the first day of your missed period in the case of the other tests.

The usual method for testing is to pee on the end of a stick (affectionately called a "pee stick")and this stick measures the hormone called 'human chorionic gonadotrophin' or 'hCG' in the urine sample. The results are then shown in the window on the stick and if used correctly are pretty accurate but as with all things there are mistakes and if you still do not have your period then do the test again or visit your Doctor and check with them.

The advantage of these home pregnancy tests is that they are pretty much available everywhere these days, in pharmacies and supermarkets as well as online too.

How do I work out when my baby is due?

Well the length of your pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period and this is even though you actually conceive around two weeks after this date depending on your monthly cycle and your baby is more likely to be born around 2 weeks on either side of this due date.

Alot of women go to their GP or Doctor and arrange antenatal care however it is possible to go directly to the midwife or community midwife if that is your wish. Your local Doctors surgery or Primary Care Trust can help you with this.

Do I have to get my Doctor to confirm my pregnancy?

If you have used a home pregnancy kit and are sure that you are pregnant then your Doctor will probably not test you further, if you are a bit unsure of the dates though you may be offered a 'dating scan' which is a simple procedure using ultrasound technology to find out what the size of the uterus and the embryo is and this information is then used to determine how many weeks pregnant you really are, this is done automatically by the ultrasound machine and is very accurate.