Signs of Pregnancy

Whether or not you were looking to get pregnant, little tell-tale signs in your body may be indicative that you are, indeed, carrying a baby. Some signs of pregnancy can't be ignored while others could be indicative of a great number of other physiological as well as psychological conditions. Many couples have been trying to get pregnant for so long that they will blow the tiniest symptom out of proportion. However, some common signs of pregnancy would include:

Step 1: Positive Pregnancy Test

Obviously the most accurate way to determine whether or not you are pregnant would be to have a pregnancy test. There are at home kits that can be quite accurate within a few days of having missed a regular period. Doctors have a range of tests to determine pregnancy that could include providing blood and/or urine samples. Some of these tests are so accurate that they can almost pinpoint the exact date of conception.

Step 2: Spotting and/or Light Bleeding

Some women don't have regular menstrual cycles so the first sign they are likely to notice is a feeling of nausea, often accompanied by extreme bouts of vomiting. Over the years this phenomenon has been referred to as 'morning sickness,' but as any mother will tell you, it isn't limited to mornings by any stretch of the imagination. If you suddenly find yourself nauseous for a period of days without any other signs of illness, you might want to get a pregnancy test as soon as possible.

Step 3: Nausea

Many women notice spotting or light bleeding when their normal menstrual cycle is due. While this is not always a true indicator of pregnancy because it could be the result of anything from undue stress to some kind of illness, it is one of the most common early signs of pregnancy.

Step 4: Cramping

Another common sign is cramping in the lower pelvic area. Many women mistake this for period cramps and are quite confused when they don't start bleeding right away. As a matter of fact, many women who spot instead of having a full period, accompanied by cramping, write it off to a light month and go on about their business never knowing they have conceived.
Step 5: Unusually Tired

Due to major hormonal fluctuations in the body, drowsiness or feeling unusually tired is one of the signs of pregnancy. Hormones are responsible for a great number of biological functions and when there is an upset in the amounts being secreted, one of the most common symptoms is extreme drowsiness. If you suddenly find yourself more lackluster and sluggish than normal, it could very well mean you are pregnant. In any case, it is best to consult your doctor because sudden, unexplained tiredness is indicative of something that needs attention.

Step 6: Missed Menstrual Cycle

For many years, this was the first sign that clued women into the fact that they could very well be pregnant. Again, there are other physiological and psychological conditions that could interfere with your menstrual cycle so it is always wise to talk to your doctor. Pregnancy is not the only condition that causes fluctuations in hormones. Illness or psychological stress can also upset the cycle so it is all the more important to discover the cause of missing a period.

Step 7: Increased Urination

Having the sensation that you continually need to find a restroom to relieve yourself is another one of the common signs of pregnancy. As the uterus starts to swell and expand, more pressure is placed on the bladder. As a result, pregnant women have the need to urinate more frequently than normal. This too is a sign that can either be indicative of some other underlying condition, or it can be missed altogether if you are prone to bladder infections. Some women even write it off as having had too much to drink.

Step 8: Higher Than Normal Basal Temperature

Women don't usually go around taking their temperature on a daily basis unless they are trying to determine ovulation, so this is one of the signs of being pregnant that you would be actively looking for. If your basal temperature stays slightly higher than normal over the period of days or weeks, it could very well be indicative of pregnancy.

Realistically speaking, most of these signs could actually be brought about by a large number of other factors. The most accurate way to determine whether or not you are truly pregnant is to have a bona fide pregnancy test. However, the odds of being pregnant increase if more than a few of these signs of pregnancy happen simultaneously. In any event, it is always best to talk to your doctor because if you are pregnant, you will want to start prenatal care as soon as possible.