Pregnancy Signs And Testing
Physical indications of pregnancy are different for each woman. Even women who experience more than one pregnancy will say
each one was unique in the onset and display of symptoms.
Common signs of pregnancy are:
- Missing your period is the most clear-cut indication of pregnancy. A woman will typically miss her next menstrual cycle immediately following conception. Some women do have a small amount of bleeding or spotting, but the flow should be minor.
- Another common symptom of pregnancy is tender or swollen breasts. Women who are pregnant may notice that their breasts are sore and tender to the touch. Birth control pills and a menstrual period may also cause these same symptoms.
- Women who are pregnant often feel fatigued and tire easily.
- Another common issue during pregnancy is nausea, or morning sickness. Some women have little or no problems with morning sickness, but others will have to endure it for weeks or months at a time.
- Headaches and backaches are also frequently sited complaints made by pregnant women, though these symptoms differ greatly from one woman to the next.
- Frequent urination may become an issue around week eight of a pregnancy as the baby is growing and putting more pressure on the mother's bladder. For some women this symptom can begin as early as five to six weeks.
After conception a woman will begin making a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Pregnancy tests work by detecting hCG that is present in the urine or blood of women who are pregnant. These tests are not always reliable until around the
first skipped menstrual cycle because it takes the body that long to create enough hCG for a test to detect. Free home pregnancy tests are provided for clients of LifeTalk and are
adminstered at our facility. Individuals may call and make an appointment or may walk-in and request to speak with a volunteer about a pregnancy test. Sonograms are also available, but are subject to the
terms and conditions set forth by LifeTalk.