If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of early pregnancy, keep reading for what symptoms to look out for, what is sometimes mistaken as pregnancy signs (but are something else), and the accuracy of at-home tests.
Does a Missed Period Mean I’m Pregnant?
The most common sign of early pregnancy is a missed period.
However, it’s important to note that this could also be caused by other factors, not just pregnancy. A missed period could be caused by:
- Excessive weight gain or loss
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- New workout regimen
- Hormonal imbalance
- Tension or stress
- Change in birth control usage
- Various illnesses
- Breastfeeding
So if you’ve missed your period, there are other common symptoms experienced in the first trimester that you can check for, such as:
- Implantation Bleeding (spotting that occurs within 10-14 days of conception)
- Mood Swings
- Higher basal temperature.
- Darkening around the nipple
- Backaches
- Headaches
- Food cravings
- Bloating
- Frequent urination
- Nausea/Morning Sickness
How Early Can I Tell if I’m Pregnant?
The results vary from woman to woman, but some women experience symptoms within a week of conception while other women don’t experience it until several weeks after conception.
The best way to confirm is by taking a pregnancy test. However, you’ll need to be three to four weeks along in order for there to be enough hCG in your body to show up on a test.
How Accurate are At-Home Tests?
If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms of what you think is early pregnancy, the best way to verify this is to take a pregnancy test.
At-Home tests claim accuracy up to 99% but are still known to give false positives (and negatives).
If you have taken an at-home pregnancy test or are relying on common pregnancy symptoms, you still want to verify that you are actually pregnant by using a confidential, medical-grade pregnancy test that we offer here at Life Choices Pregnancy Center.