Am I Pregnant?

Missed Period?

Missed period? Thinking you might be pregnant? Don’t panic. Start by taking a deep breath before you continue reading, and rest assured that we can help you figure it out and create a plan no matter what the results are.

(Prefer the quick summary? Check out this short video to learn about common pregnancy signs and symptoms.)

First of all, a missed period can be the result of many things[1]. Seasonal changes, stress, and even excessive exercise are all factors that could contribute to irregularities in your cycle (and many women experience other symptoms, as well).

Pregnancy Testing

That said, if you think you might be pregnant, it’s important to get accurate testing done in a safe and pressure-free environment. You may have done a pregnancy test at home, but PLL provides medical grade pregnancy testing at no charge as part of our pregnancy evaluation.

The pregnancy tests offered by our center are lab-quality, high-sensitivity urine tests with instant results. At PLL, pregnancy tests are generally up to 99% accurate and are done in a clinical and private setting. You’ll know the results during your appointment.

12 Signs of Pregnancy

Paying attention to early symptoms of pregnancy is also important, so let’s consider these 12 early signs of pregnancy.

1. Missed Period: A missed period is often the very first sign[2] a woman has that she may be pregnant. Many women begin seeking answers because they know they’re late for their next period. If you’ve had a missed period of about one week[3], you might consider this a possible indicator of pregnancy. However, this symptom by itself may not be accurate if you’ve had irregular menstrual cycles.
2. Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea is quite common in the first trimester and may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. This is known as morning sickness, though it can be experienced later in the day as well. The severity can differ from person to person. It isn’t totally clear[4] what causes morning sickness, but it may be due to hormonal changes related to pregnancy.
3. Tender/Swollen Breasts: In the APA survey cited above, about 17% of women surveyed reported this as the first sign of pregnancy. However, this can occur between four and six weeks into pregnancy[5]. You may experience tingling, aching, and swelling/enlargement of the breast tissue. You may also notice darkening of the areas surrounding the nipples. Once your body adjusts to your new hormonal changes, these feelings should subside.
4. Light Spotting/Bleeding/Vaginal Discharge: This is known as implantation bleeding and may occur after the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. Implantation bleeding could be mistaken for a menstrual period, but there are some distinct differences[6]. Implantation bleeding generally has less bleeding and a lighter color than menstrual bleeding, it lasts for a shorter time and does not have clotting. Implantation bleeding does not always happen in a pregnancy.
5. Cramping and Pain: The cramps women experience when pregnant may seem similar to those during PMS. But just as we mentioned above with implantation bleeding, implantation cramps are different[7]. These cramps would be present even after you’ve missed your period. Other pregnancy signs and symptoms include leg cramping and soreness in the lower back.
6. Headaches: are so common that this one can’t be relied upon alone. In this case, you may also be experiencing lightheadedness or dizziness. These symptoms would be due to hormonal changes[8] in your body. You should consider them in conjunction with other pregnancy symptoms you’re experiencing.
7. Sensitivity to Smell: Though there may be little scientific consensus on this one, it remains a commonly reported symptom[9]. Sensitivity to smell is something that many women report particularly in the early stages of pregnancy. It may also be one of the causes of nausea during this time.
8. Change of Appetite:  Does the Caesar salad you normally love seem a little off-putting? Or does your craving for potato chips and spicy salsa seem out of character? Change of appetite is common as an early sign of pregnancy. Often, the foods you normally desire won’t sound good to you at all. This may also be due to hormonal changes[10] and can occur along with other changes in your senses.
9. Frequent Urination: Having to hop up and run to the bathroom in the middle of the night? Unless you’re hydrating like crazy, that could also be one of the pregnancy signs and symptoms. Also due to hormonal changes, it’s possible to experience this even before missing your period[11].
10. Constipation and Bloating: Speaking of hydration, that’s not a bad idea considering this symptom can be very uncomfortable! If you’ve had fewer than three bowel movements[12] in a given week, you may be dealing with pregnancy constipation. Hormonal changes can be the culprit behind bloating and constipation[13].
11. Mood Swings/Fatigue: Mood swings[14] and fatigue[15] are also attributable to hormonal changes. This is because your body is producing a hormone called progesterone. This hormone supports the pregnancy and is responsible for milk production in the breasts as well. As soon as one week after conception, you could experience fatigue due to your body working harder to pump additional blood to support this new life.
12. Heartburn/Indigestion: Heartburn[16], or indigestion, may affect more women in the second and third trimesters. However, it’s generally considered to stem from your increase in progesterone levels, so don’t rule it out. Especially if it’s not something you normally experience.

What’s Next?

If you have a positive pregnancy test result, the next step in our pregnancy evaluation is to schedule and perform a free ultrasound by one of our licensed medical professionals. We offer free, confidential, and judgment-free services to women in Branson West and surrounding areas, serving all of Stone County and beyond.

Am I Pregnant? Find Out for Sure.

If you’ve experienced any of these pregnancy signs and symptoms and want further information, reach out. You shouldn’t have to go through this time in your life alone. We’re here to help.

Call Us: 417-272-5210

Text Us: 417-593-1882

Make an Appointment: Click Here

Disclaimer: This website and blog do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided here is only for general understanding. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Please be aware that PLL does not provide or refer for abortion services.

Sources:

[1] Women’s Health. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/news/hlv-20049411

[2] Knowing if You’re Pregnant. OASH. (2021, February 22). https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/knowing-if-you-are-pregnant

[3] Symptoms of Pregnancy: What Happens First. Mayo Clinic. (2024, March 13). https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853

[4] 15 Early Signs and Symptoms of Early Pregnancy. Healthline. (2023, June 26). https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/early-symptoms-timeline#morning-sickness

[5] 15 Early Signs and Symptoms of Early Pregnancy. Healthline. (2023, June 26). https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/early-symptoms-timeline#morning-sickness

[6] What is Implantation Bleeding? American Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/what-is-implantation-bleeding/

[7] What Do the Cramps Feel Like in Early Pregnancy? Medical News Today. (2024, January 18). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321456

[8] What Are Some Common Signs of Pregnancy? NIH. (2017, January 31). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs

[9] Pregnancy and Olfaction: A Review. NIH. (2014, February 6). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3915141/

[10] Everything You Need to Know About Food Aversions During Pregnancy. Healthline. (2024, January 25). https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/food-aversions#causes

[11] How to Deal with Frequent Urination in Pregnancy. Parents. (2024, June 14). https://www.parents.com/frequent-urination-in-pregnancy-when-it-starts-and-what-to-do-8356429

[12] Pregnancy Week by Week. Mayo Clinic. (2022, May 28). https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/pregnancy-constipation/faq-20058550

[13] Pregnancy Constipation. Cleveland Clinic. (2021, October 19). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21895-pregnancy-constipation

[14] How to Navigate the Ups and Downs of Pregnancy. Parents. (2024, April 13). https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/emotions/the-ups-and-downs-of-pregnancy-emotions/

[15] First Trimester Fatigue. University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid=4

[16] Pregnancy and Heartburn. Stanford Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=pregnancy-and-heartburn-134-10