When sperm enters a vagina, it travels through the cervix and womb to the fallopian tube, where it fertilises an egg. You are more likely to experience pregnancy when you are ovulating. This is when an egg develops and you are most fertile.
If you are under the age of 40 and have frequent intercourse without using contraception, you have an 8 in 10 chance of becoming pregnant within a year.
Also, you may be pregnant if you have missed a period and recently had unprotected intercourse. Pregnancy tests are most accurate beginning on the first day of your missing menstruation.
Early pregnancy symptoms
A missing period is the first and most accurate symptom of pregnancy if you have a normal monthly menstrual cycle.
During the first few weeks of gestation, you may experience a bleed comparable to a light period, with minor spotting or simply losing a small amount of blood. This is known as implantation haemorrhage.
Each gestation is unique, and not everyone will experience all of these symptoms.
Sickness during pregnancy
You might be unwell or feel sick. This is generally referred to as morning sickness, however, it can occur at any time of day or night. Morning sickness symptoms commonly appear during 4-6 weeks of pregnancy.
Consult a doctor if you’re always unwell and can’t keep anything down.
You might have hyperemesis gravidarum, a hazardous gestation disorder that produces intense vomiting and needs treatment.
Tiredness is prevalent throughout pregnancy
It’s normal to feel fatigued, if not exhausted, throughout gestation, especially during the first 12 weeks. Hormonal changes in your body might make you feel fatigued, nauseated, emotional, and unhappy at this time.
Early pregnancy breast pain
Your breasts may swell and feel sensitive, exactly like they did before your period. They may also feel tingly.
The veins may become more prominent, and the nipples may darken and become more noticeable.
Peeing more frequently indicates pregnancy
You may feel the urge to pee more frequently than normal, even at night.
Other pregnant symptoms you may observe include:
- constipation
- increased vaginal discharge (without any soreness or irritation)
Strange tastes, odours, and desires
Some meals and drinks you used to like may no longer appeal to you during your early gestation.
You may have noticed:
- A peculiar taste in your tongue that some describe as metallic
- you are hungry for new meals
- You lose interest in foods or beverages that you used to love, such as tea, coffee, or fatty meals.
- You have lost interest in smoking.
- You have a more acute sense of smell than normal, such as the smell of food or cooking.
If you’re concerned about any of your symptoms, consult your doctor or a midwife.
When you are able to perform a pregnancy test
Most pregnancy tests may be performed as early as the first day of missing menstruation. If you are unsure when your next period will be, take the test at least 21 days after your last unprotected intercourse.
Some pregnancy tests are so sensitive that they may be used even before you miss a period.
A pregnancy test may be performed on a urine sample taken at any time of day. It doesn’t have to be first thing in the morning.
If your pregnancy test comes back negative
As long as you followed the directions, a positive test result is almost probably correct. A bad finding is less trustworthy. If you get a negative test but still believe you’re pregnant, wait a week before trying again.
If you’re expecting, use the pregnancy due date calculator to figure out correctly when your baby will arrive.
