For many women, becoming a mother is one of the most anticipated moments in their life. Still, the joyful anticipation can turn into anxious waiting, with all the uncertainty and stress that comes with not knowing whether or not you are indeed carrying a child.
There are many natural ways by which you can check for pregnancy at home, that is if you have not had an opportunity to go to your doctor. Listed below are some tips that would help you confirm your pregnancy.
Track your period
One of the earliest and most important signs of pregnancy is amenorrhea or the absence of menstruation. Amenorrhea can be a highly reliable sign of pregnancy in women who previously had cyclical, predictable menses.
Still, amenorrhea is not a reliable indicator in women who do not have a regular menstrual cycle. If your period does not arrive until 10 days or more after your expected onset, then you can take it as a possible sign of pregnancy.
To easily track your period, you can try using an ovulation calculator.
Take a pregnancy test
Another vital thing to check whether or not you’re actually pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy test kits are available over-the-counter in most drugstores, so they are accessible in most cases. They are also affordable and straightforward to use.
You just have to place a small amount of urine on the stick. A double line on the stick indicates a positive pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests can be used as early as 1 week after missing your menses, and if you use them correctly, they can be highly accurate.
Monitor for other signs and symptoms of pregnancy
If you’re still not convinced, you can also monitor yourself for signs and symptoms usually seen in pregnant women. A friendly reminder, though, these signs and symptoms are not always present in pregnancy, and some of them only appear a few weeks into your gestation. Their absence does not signify that you are not pregnant.
But if you feel any of these, have amenorrhea and a positive pregnancy test, you can almost certainly say that you are indeed pregnant.
- Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are often symptoms of “morning sickness” in pregnancy because they commonly occur upon waking up. Still, some women may also experience this at other times during the day.
“Hyperemesis gravidarum” is a medical term that pertains to persistent vomiting accompanied by an inability to take in food, which can lead to severe dehydration. If you experience this, it is recommended that you visit your doctor for appropriate management.
- Easy fatigability
During the first few weeks of pregnancy, most women report that they easily get fatigued even without strenuous activities. This is normal in pregnant women because of their increased metabolic rate. However, it might be prudent to consult with your doctor to rule out your cardiorespiratory causes.
- Breast changes
The high levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can induce breast changes typical in pregnant women. This includes breast tenderness, fullness, and engorgement, which are more prominent during the first few weeks of pregnancy. The areola also becomes enlarged and deeply pigmented, and your breasts may feel heavier.
- Skin changes
Like the changes in breasts, skin changes are also brought about by estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. You might find some marks in your skin that was not there before you got pregnant, such as a dark discoloration in the midline of your abdomen called “linea nigra.”
You can also see stretch marks, especially in your lower abdomen, although they become more evident during late pregnancy when your baby starts to grow, which stretches out your skin.
“Chloasma gravidarum,” or mask of pregnancy, can also appear. It is a brown, butterfly-shaped pigmentation on your face and neck which regresses after delivery.
- Mucus changes
During early pregnancy, your cervical discharge may change in color and consistency. You might find mucus that is white or yellow and is stickier than usual, which is called “leukorrhea.” This is due to the increase in progesterone during the first few weeks of your pregnancy.
These are just some ways to know if you are pregnant, and they are helpful tips, especially in the setting of community quarantine where the travel restrictions in place limit our access to a clinic.
But while the tips mentioned above are definitely helpful, confirmation of your pregnancy can only be done by your physician. It is still best practice to consult with your doctor if you feel you are positive for pregnancy.
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