Different signs and symptoms can indicate pregnancy. The most obvious sign of pregnancy is usually the absence or irregularity in menstruation (amenorrhea). Some women may continue to experience bleeding even though they are pregnant. These are the most common signs of pregnancy. Each woman will experience signs and symptoms of pregnancy differently. These signs could include:
- Fatigue
- Swollen and sore breasts
- Nausea and vomiting (also known as morning sickness)
- Frequent urination
- Some food cravings and aversions
- Bloating in the abdomen
- Darkening the skin around the nostrils (also known as the areola).
These early signs might not be positive for pregnancy, but they could indicate another process within the body. More accurate results can be obtained by a pregnancy test.
What’s a pregnancy test?
A pregnancy test confirms that you are pregnant. A pregnancy test can either be done on urine or blood. The presence of human chorionic hormone (hCG) in pregnancy tests is detected approximately 10 days after fertilization. The hCG hormone levels approximately double every other day during the first 60 days. A doctor will perform pregnancy tests using the woman’s own blood. These tests are used to confirm or diagnose an at-home pregnancy test. The accuracy of blood tests can confirm pregnancy within the first week after conception.
A home pregnancy test can be done by women who have a urine sample. This is usually performed approximately two weeks after conception. In the past decade, home pregnancy tests have improved in accuracy. Home pregnancy tests can be accurate up to 97% if they are used correctly.
To confirm positive results from an at-home pregnancy test, you should always consult your healthcare provider. If you believe you may be pregnant and your at-home pregnancy test results were negative, consult your healthcare provider.
