Many times women ask ourselves how can I know if I am pregnant, if only with the delay of menstruation we can already take a pregnancy test or should we wait to have more symptoms. We need to identify some symptoms, then we can do a pregnancy test, go to the doctor so that he can recommend us and control us with all the corresponding analyzes and studies, that is, monitor our pregnancy.
If I want to know if I am pregnant as a sexually active woman, it is not possible only because of the lack of menstruation or its delay; this does not necessarily mean that I am expecting a baby. It can also be due to a lack of iron, stress, poor diet, hormonal problems and even malnutrition. Do not get confused, false information can create many doubts and even fears, you must stay well informed especially if you are a first timer.
When the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus, your body begins to secrete the hormone hog, (human chorionic gonadotropin). This is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the developing embryo after fertilization, this hormone is the one that is detected in tests and pregnancy tests, and is responsible for the appearance of the first symptoms of pregnancy, however, remember that the their intensity will depend on your body.
For this reason you should take the pregnancy test if you are between 10 and 15 days late, otherwise the test will be negative because your body has not yet secreted this hormone. That is why to know if you are pregnant you must control several symptoms in your body and then do the necessary tests and go to the doctor. We will detail those symptoms.
Instructions to know if I am pregnant
- Pregnancy begins when, during ovulation, which usually happens around day 14 counting from the first day of your last period, this occurs in a 28-day menstrual cycle. An egg is released by one of the two ovaries, staying in the fallopian tubes, where fertilization occurs by a sperm. The fertilized egg will go down the fallopian tubes little by little for about a week, until it reaches the uterus, where it will attach to the uterine wall. When the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus, it begins to secrete the chg. hormone that is produced by the placenta and will cause the first symptoms of pregnancy. On the other hand, it is the presence of this hormone that is detected in urine or blood tests to confirm or not a pregnancy.
- The first indication to think that you are pregnant, especially if you are regular in your menstrual periods, is amenorrhea or absence of menstruation.
- If the period is delayed by a few days, a test or pregnancy test must be performed.
- Something that can confuse you is that a few days after fertilization, small vaginal bleeding can occur; they are very slight, so much so that they can go completely unnoticed. This slight bleeding is due to the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus. It often happens that some women confuse them with a lighter than normal menstruation and this makes them think that there is no pregnancy.
- Another symptom of pregnancy is swelling and increased tenderness in the breasts, which can be confused with a symptom of menstruation. Increased hormone levels cause these changes in the breasts. The increase in the size and tenderness of the breasts, along with constant tiredness and a feeling of sleepiness, are present in the first weeks of pregnancy, and it is a symptom that should be paid attention to.
- It is very common to feel fatigued, listless, tired in the first weeks of pregnancy. But this symptom is not very clear, since there are other reasons why a person may feel more fatigued than usual.
- Another symptom is noticing that you feel more like urinating than normal. This is because due to the increased level of blood and other fluids in the body, the kidney works much harder, accumulating more urine in the bladder.
- Days before the date on which the menstruation should occur, there may be pelvic pain and abdominal swelling, caused by hormonal changes. Abdominal pain is another sign of pregnancy; many women also confuse it with the discomfort of menstruation, which causes confusion.
- Also in these first weeks of pregnancy you may feel rejection of certain smells and foods, a symptom caused by the increase in estrogen in the body.
- Nausea and vomiting occur after the sixth week of pregnancy, when it is normal for you to already know that you are pregnant. However, there are women who notice this unpleasant sensation before. Some women do not have these symptoms during pregnancy, nausea, vomiting and dizziness, along with the repulsion or desire for certain foods, may not occur.
- Other symptoms perhaps not so common are: Decrease in blood pressure, heartburn without having eaten previously, increased secretion of saliva, increased sweating, increased sensitivity in the gums and teeth.
- You can know if you are pregnant or not with the urine test: you can buy it at any pharmacy, it is very quick and simple, and it will clear up your doubts right away if you do it after fifteen days of absence of menstruation and if you follow the instructions of the container. Do not stop reading them because they vary according to the brands and you can make mistakes. Urine tests are very reliable, but if you suspect you are pregnant and the tests are negative, you can repeat the test after several days.
What do you need to know if I’m pregnant?
- Know your menstrual cycle well, if you are regular or not.
- pregnancy test
- Medical consultation
Tips to know if I’m pregnant
- If you suspect you are pregnant, do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take medication.
- If you carry out a home pregnancy test and the result is positive, see your doctor immediately for proper control and monitoring of the pregnancy.
- If, due to the absence of menstruation, you have carried out a home test and a blood test and the result of pregnancy is negative, you should see your doctor immediately to determine the origin of the delay.
