You’ve ovulated and had sex, you might be noticing some possible early pregnancy symptoms, and your period should be coming soon or has already passed. Could you be pregnant, or is this more likely a late period? It’s hard to know for sure. Show
Are you pregnant or is your period just late? Here’s how to tellLearn more about actual pregnancy symptoms before you start getting concerned. The science behind symptomsPregnant or not, your body starts releasing progesterone after you ovulate. This hormone keeps getting released and is at its highest point around five to seven days after ovulation. If a woman is pregnant, her body continues to produce progesterone in high amounts to help sustain the pregnancy. If she’s not pregnant, her progesterone levels decrease, and she’ll start her menstrual period. Thanks also to progesterone, the symptoms of early pregnancy and your period are nearly identical. Cramps, fatigue, dizziness, breast tenderness – all early signs of pregnancy, but also possible signs of your period coming. What about light spotting a week after ovulation? It could indicate implantation bleeding, but most women don’t experience this symptom and spotting can happen for other reasons. What about nausea? This symptom is typically attributed to hCG, the pregnancy hormone, but it can be caused by other things, too (including PMS). In the weeks between ovulation and a pregnancy test, many women “symptom spot”; that is, they take note of certain physical symptoms and think that they are definitely signs of early pregnancy. Is symptom spotting so wrong? Absolutely not, and it can even be kind of fun, as long as you know that only a blood test can tell you for sure if you’re pregnant. Is there anything I can look for?Probably the most reliable physical symptom of early pregnancy is a missed period. Noticing that your breasts are getting increasingly sore, or experiencing symptoms that you don’t usually get around the time of your period, are also signs that you could be pregnant. But again, a blood test will be the best way to know for sure. Final thoughts: things to keep in mindThe bottom line is that without a blood test, it’s nearly impossible to know for sure whether you’re pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so it’s really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period. If you’re paying attention to your symptoms, just know that it can get a little stressful for some women. So if you find yourself symptom spotting, try to be aware of how often you do it, and how you feel – does it distract you or stress you out? If it starts to get emotionally taxing for you, look for ways to stop paying attention to your symptoms. Finally, make sure you’ve scheduled a pregnancy blood test, and keep taking your prenatal vitamins! Whether it’s sooner or later, when you get that BFP, you’ll be glad you did! Sources
Do you know the early symptoms of pregnancy? From nausea to fatigue, know what to expect. Could you be pregnant? The proof is in the pregnancy test. But even before you miss a period, you might suspect — or hope — that you're pregnant. Know the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy and why they occur. Classic signs and symptoms of pregnancyThe most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:
Other signs and symptoms of pregnancyOther less obvious signs and symptoms of pregnancy that you might experience during the first trimester include:
Are you really pregnant?Many of these signs and symptoms aren't unique to pregnancy. Some can indicate that you're getting sick or that your period is about to start. Likewise, you can be pregnant without experiencing many of these symptoms. Still, if you miss a period and notice some of the above signs or symptoms, take a home pregnancy test or see your health care provider. If your home pregnancy test is positive, make an appointment with your health care provider. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care. If you're planning to conceive or just learned you're pregnant, start taking a daily prenatal vitamin. Prenatal vitamins typically contain important vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid and iron, to support your baby's growth and development. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage
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