You may suspect that you’re pregnant because you’ve had sex since your last menstrual period, and you’ve missed a menstrual period.  Here we have listed some of the most common signs of pregnancy.  But they’re not always present.  You could be pregnant and have none of these signs!

1. Tender breasts/nipples: About 2 to 3 weeks after conceptions (when the egg is fertilized by the sperm), your breasts and nipples become tender or swollen – similar to the way they feel when you expect your period.

2. Slight spotting or cramping:  Light pink spotting may occur around 8 to 10 days after ovulation.  This bleeding is different than your period.  It usually occurs earlier than your menstrual period is due, and may be spotty and pinkish (not red and heavily like a period). 

3. Darkening areolas: Around the time of your missed period – you may notice that the dark area around your nipples begins to darken and increase in diameter.  Sometimes the veins in your breasts become more visible and the tiny “bumps” that are scattered around your areola enlarge and increase in number. 

4. Extreme fatigue: A very common sign of pregnancy during the first 8 to 10 weeks is exhaustion. 

5. Nausea and vomiting: Morning sickness, as it is called, can occur as early as a week after conception. 

6. Frequent urination: You will find that yourself peeing more frequently.  This is caused by the baby in your uterus putting pressure on your bladder.  This can occur as early as 1 to 2 weeks after a missed period.

7. Constipation: hormonal changes in your body will cause your intestines to become less efficient and a change in your bowels will occur.

8. Raised body temperature:  If your body temperature remains higher even past the time your period is due and does not decline, you may be pregnant. 

9.  Missed period: This is usually the most reliable way for woman to tell if they are pregnant. 

10. Positive pregnancy test: Urine pregnancy tests can be as accurate as early as 10 to 14 days after the egg is fertilized.  When a woman is pregnant the placenta of the fetus produces a certain kind of hormone that finds its way into her urine.  A pregnancy test will indicate whether or not that hormone is present—that is, whether or not the woman is pregnant.  For a urine test, wait until your period is at least 14 days late.  A blood pregnancy test can be accurate as early as 8 to 10 days after fertilization.  It is available through private physicians and labs.  Pregnancy tests are not 100 percent foolproof.  If you get a negative result, but still feel pregnant, take another one a week later.  

       If the pregnancy is unwanted and creates serious emotional and/ or financial problems for you, you need time to go through problem pregnancy counseling.  Should you decide on an abortion, it’s important that you make arrangements for one as soon as possible.  An abortion done within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy—that is, within the 12 weeks after your last period—is usually a safe operation.  After the 12^th week, it becomes a more complicated and more expensive procedure.

       If you intend to have the baby, you can get an early start on regular visits to a doctor or clinic to protect you and your baby’s health.  You can also eat the right foods to make sure you have a healthy baby.  Having regular check-ups and eating nutritious foods are important for pregnant women of all ages—but they’re especially important for a young pregnant woman because they are more likely to have problems with their pregnancies.

       If you intend to offer the baby for adoption, you’ll need time to get counseling and find an appropriate agency. If you intend to raise the child yourself, you’ll also need plenty of time to make sound decisions about what to do with your education, where you and your baby will live and how you’ll support the two of you, whether or not to marry the father, and so on.

      If you think you can’t possibly be pregnant because you practiced birth control, remember that no birth control method is 100% effective - the less effective the method that you used, the higher the chances that you are pregnant.

      If you think you’re pregnant, don’t use any kind of drug, including alcohol and aspirin.  Avoid x-rays and exposure to illness.  Some of these things can cause birth defects, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

      Don’t put off getting a pregnancy test because you have no money or are afraid that the visit will be reported to your parents.  The sooner you find out whether or not you are pregnant, the better for everyone concerned.  Please check out our Links & Resources page for more help.