Some women may feel cramping, as if they’re about to get their period. The spotting can be mistaken for a light period, particularly if you have irregular periods.
If you frequently have tender breasts, move on to other symptoms to determine if pregnancy is likely. Some women may even increase in bra size within a few weeks of getting pregnant. If this is the case, you may be pregnant. Your areolas may also start to darken. This change is also caused by hormones from pregnancy. [3] X Research source
Fatigue is a result of increased progesterone, which makes you sleepy. If there’s a chance you’re pregnant, avoid treating fatigue with caffeine. Caffeine isn’t proven to be harmful at this early stage but if consumed in excess it can increase the chance of miscarriage. The exact amount is not known, but 200 mg is generally considered the cutoff.
Nausea may also accompany food aversions. Some of your favorite foods may make you feel ill while you are pregnant. Nausea may not always be accompanied by vomiting. You may notice an increased sensitivity to smells. Even smells you may once have enjoyed may now trigger nausea.
You might notice a metallic taste in your mouth. This is normal in early pregnancy. Many women report feeling disgusted by the smell of coffee when they’re pregnant, even if they were heavy coffee drinkers before the pregnancy. If you find yourself nauseated by the smell of coffee, this may be a sign of pregnancy.
It’s okay to take some over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen to help relieve pain from headaches and backaches. While ibuprofen is generally considered safe in early pregnancy, few physicians will recommend its use unless you are being closely monitored. Instead of medication, consider treating aches with home remedies such as a warm bath, using a heating pad, getting a massage, etc.
Most pregnancy tests will not be reliably accurate until the fifth week of pregnancy. Instructions for home pregnancy tests vary. Follow the directions on the test you choose. Home pregnancy tests check for the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which accompanies pregnancy.
Take the home pregnancy test first thing in the morning when your urine is concentrated. Drinking too much fluid before taking a home pregnancy test can result in a false negative. A false positive result can occur in cases where hormonal changes with menopause are occurring or if you are receiving HcG injections as part of infertility treatment.
The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can learn about options. Your healthcare provider can discuss options for your pregnancy with you. If you plan to continue your pregnancy, your healthcare provider can help you with prenatal care.
