Pregnancy tests and early signs can vary person to person, but there are common indicators to look for and steps to take if pregnancy is possible. What to look for in the very early days
- Missed or irregular period: The most common early sign is a missed period, though some people have light bleeding or spotting around the time of their expected period.
- Nausea or vomiting: Often called morning sickness, it can start around weeks 4–6 and may occur at any time of day.
- Tender or swollen breasts: Hormonal changes can make the breasts feel tender, swollen, or tingly.
- Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired is common in early pregnancy.
- Frequent urination: Needing to urinate more often than usual can begin in the early weeks.
- Food aversions or cravings: Changes in taste or strong reactions to certain smells can occur.
- Mild cramps or spotting: Some people notice light cramping or light vaginal bleeding around implantation, though this isn’t universal.
Important cautions
- Some symptoms overlap with other conditions or with premenstrual changes, so they’re not conclusive on their own.
- If you have any severe pain, heavy bleeding, fever, or you’re unsure about your symptoms, seek medical care promptly.
How to confirm pregnancy
- Home pregnancy test: Use a home pregnancy test after you’ve missed a period or at least 1–2 weeks after intercourse. For the most accurate result, follow the test instructions and test with your first urine in the morning, when hCG concentration is highest.
- After a positive test: Schedule a follow-up with a healthcare provider to confirm pregnancy with a urine or blood test and to start appropriate prenatal care.
- If the test is negative but your period is late or symptoms continue, retest in a few days or consult a healthcare provider to check for other causes.
When to seek urgent care
- If you experience heavy bleeding with severe pain, a sudden, high fever, or dizziness, seek urgent medical attention.
Practical next steps
- Take a home pregnancy test when you’re ready, ideally after a missed period.
- If positive, arrange prenatal care with a doctor, midwife, or local health clinic.
- If negative but pregnancy is still suspected, consider repeating the test in a few days or consulting a clinician for a blood test.
If you’d like, share your current symptoms, your last period date, and whether you’ve had unprotected sex recently, and I can help you interpret what you might expect next and what questions to ask your healthcare provider.
