Be it two red lines, a plus sign, or letters cropping up on the pregnancy test kit saying pregnant, it is the one of the most exciting news for couples trying to conceive. Although creating a new life and giving birth is the most blissful experience for the new mom-to-be, every woman experiences a variety of signs and symptoms, which may differ from person to person over the course of 40 weeks. While some are known to everyone and are easy to guess, the ones that crop up in the earlier weeks are often difficult to understand and may just appear as premenstrual symptoms.
Also Read: Premenstrual Syndrome: A Brief Guide
How To Find Out If You Are Pregnant?
The most accurate and sure way to determine whether you have conceived is by a home pregnancy test. This test measures the level of hCG hormone (i.e., human chorionic gonadotrophin) in the urine which usually starts building up in the body from the moment one has conceived and rapidly multiplies over time. In some cases, although, one may have conceived, it sometimes takes up time to get registered in the home pregnancy test kit and may show a false negative test. So, one must wait till the time they have missed their period to get a positive result as it commonly takes 3-4 weeks from the first day of your last period to get a proper of level hCG hormone to show up on the test kit.
Also Read: Pregnancy Test: What Is It And What To Expect?
What Is The Correct Time To Do The Home Pregnancy Test?
Well, if you are unaware of your missed period and it's about 2-3 weeks, you can take up the test any time of the day as the level of hCG in your urine is high enough to get registered in the pregnancy test kit. But if you are eager to find out the results and want to check on the first day of the missed period, try doing the test using the first urine after you wake up as the concentration of hCG is higher that time.
Are These Home Pregnancy Tests Reliable?
Yes, in most cases, a home pregnancy test kit gives a correct result. But ensure you follow the instructions provided on the leaflet that comes with it properly. Usually, one either has to pee on the stick, or dip the stick in the urine, or use a droplet to pour it on the stick of the test strip. In either case, if one has conceived, the positive result usually comes up as two-line (one for control and one for the test) or a plus sign, or sometimes even the letters “PREGNANT” may show up to confirm the pregnancy. Either way, it is best to visit a gynecologist after the home pregnancy test to determine the pregnancy by doing a blood test to measure the level of blood hCG.
Do All Women Experience Similar Symptoms?
Well, everyone has a different constitution and hence reacts differently to everything. And similarly, every woman experiences different symptoms throughout the entire term of pregnancy, and these symptoms even vary within the same person from the first pregnancy to the next. While some women may suspect they’re pregnant within the very first few days of pregnancy due to some unusual emotions or feelings, others don’t notice anything until they don’t get their periods in the usual time. There are also some women who don’t experience any symptoms at all and are oblivious of their pregnancy for months after conception.
Although these symptoms may change dramatically over the course of weeks, we have curated a list of common and unusual symptoms to look out for if you are expecting:
Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms
- A missed period
- Swollen, tender breasts
- Fatigue
- Morning sickness, with or without vomiting
- Frequent urination
Lesser Common Symptoms
- Mood Swings
- Food Cravings or aversions
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Cramping
- Spotting in case of implantation bleeding
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Darkened areolas
- Veiny breasts
- Nipples sticking out
- Low back pain
- Heart burn
- Constipation
- Bloated tummy
- Diarrhoea
- Digestion issues
- Changes in cervical mucus
- Thrush
- Sleeplessness
- Vivid dreams
- Hot flashes
- Muscle pain
- Leg cramp
- Dry mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Sensitivity to smell
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Acne
- Pregnancy glow
- Increased heart rate
- Slight rise in blood pressure
- Weight gain
Conclusion
Yes, you are right some of these symptoms mimic very much like the ones of PMS or might even be a signal that your period is on the way. Although quite frustrating, you might experience all the symptoms and still not be pregnant or may be pregnant but not experience all of these symptoms. But in either case, once you miss your period, a home pregnancy test followed by a blood test is the best way to affirm the pregnancy and start prepping up for the arrival of your little one over the course of weeks.
