Usually, a late period is the first sign of pregnancy. Still, stress, increased exercise, a hormonal imbalance, and excessive weight gain or loss can all cause a change in your menstrual cycle.
Knowing all the early pregnancy symptoms helps determine if you are pregnant, but pregnancy testing is the place to start. Coweta Pregnancy Services offers free and confidential pregnancy testing administered by a nurse, sonographer, or trained layperson.
Take a closer look at some of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. If your period is late, contact us for pregnancy testing, and be confident in the results.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are some of the early pregnancy symptoms you might expect:
- A late or missed period.
- Tender, swollen breasts.
- Nausea with or without vomiting (also known as “morning sickness”).
- Increased urination.
- Fatigue.
- Moodiness.
- Food aversions.
Do any of these symptoms seem familiar? They can also indicate other health concerns. For instance, the flu can cause you to feel nauseous, and a urinary tract infection can cause you to urinate more.
Can I Take a Home Pregnancy Test?
Home pregnancy tests are reliable, but you must follow the directions carefully. Here are the steps you should take:
- Check the expiration date.
- Read the instructions thoroughly before beginning.
- Wait until after the first day of your missed period to test.
- Take the test in the morning when your urine is most concentrated.
- Before checking the results, wait the recommended amount of time.
- Retest in 3 to 5 days to verify the results.
Getting Tested at Coweta Pregnancy Services
Although a pregnancy test is the perfect place to begin finding out if you’re pregnant, you will also want to have an ultrasound. A pregnancy test only indicates the possibility of pregnancy, whereas an ultrasound confirms it.
Coweta Pregnancy Services offers free and confidential pregnancy testing, and if the test is positive, you can receive a free and confidential ultrasound. Why do you need an ultrasound?
Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, it’s possible to get a positive test result even after a miscarriage.
An ultrasound also determines the gestational age (how far along you are in your pregnancy) and the location of the pregnancy. Knowing if the location is correct protects your health and safety. A pregnancy that is not developing in the uterus is known as an ectopic pregnancy and can be extremely dangerous, even life-threatening.
Schedule a free and confidential appointment at Coweta Pregnancy Services. If your period is two weeks or more late, we can test for pregnancy. Let us know how we can help you. We’re here for you.