The only way to know for sure if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
Take our free online pregnancy quiz to see how likely it is that you are pregnant.
Let’s look at common reasons for missed periods that aren’t pregnancy, what early pregnancy symptoms to look out for, and what next steps you should take.
How to know if I’m pregnant?
Common reasons for a missed period that isn’t pregnancy
There are many other reasons that might cause a missed or late period besides pregnancy. Here are just a few:
- Stress
- Weight loss or gain
- Excessive exercise
- Ovarian cysts
- Recent illness
- Certain medications that alter blood sugar and certain hormone levels
- Breastfeeding
Just because you have a late period doesn’t always mean you are pregnant. One way to understand your body better is to track your cycle. This can help you know when your period should come each month and around when you ovulate. The FEMM app is a great place to start tracking your cycle.
Thrive Savannah medical staff can help answer questions you may have about your cycle.
Pregnancy Symptoms
Here are a few early signs of pregnancy:
- Missed period. This is often the first sign of pregnancy. This symptom can be misleading though since period changes can be a sign of other health issues going on.
- Tender, swollen breasts. Hormonal changes in early pregnancy may make your breasts feel more swollen or tender.
- Nausea. Nausea can come with or without vomiting. This can also happen at any time of day. Certain foods or smells may make you nauseous as well.
- Increased urination. When pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases which causes your kidneys to process more fluid.
- Fatigue. Rapid rises in progesterone (the pregnancy hormone) may be the contributing factor to a lack of energy.
Early pregnancy symptoms can be very similar to the symptoms of PMS. If you have had missed periods, unprotected sex, and are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms, it might be time to take a pregnancy test. Don’t start to freak out until you know for sure.
Thrive Savannah offers free, confidential pregnancy tests so you can be 100% sure you are pregnant. If you are pregnant, we can walk you through what next steps might look like (like an ultrasound to see how far along you are and make sure the pregnancy is viable) and what pregnancy options you have.
I’m pregnant, how far along am I?
If you already have a positive pregnancy test, you might be wondering how far along you are. Read more here about how to figure out what day you might have gotten pregnant.
Remember, the only sure way to see how far along you are in your pregnancy is to have an ultrasound. Thrive Savannah offers free limited ultrasounds to date the pregnancy and confirm viability.
I’m pregnant, when should I tell the father?
Knowing when and how to tell your partner you’re pregnant can be scary. Once you know for sure you are pregnant, you should plan to tell your partner as soon as possible. First take some time to really understand what you are feeling, then plan a time to tell him in person.
Here is a helpful guide to telling your partner about an unplanned pregnancy. If you need to talk with someone before you share the news, we are always a compassionate team to lean on.
Get answers and support at Thrive Savannah
The thought of an unexpected pregnancy can bring up a lot of conflicting emotions. Getting answers and knowing your pregnancy options can help alleviate a lot of worry and stress.
At Thrive Savannah, we offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to help you confirm pregnancy and be confident in what next steps are right for you. You don’t have to do this alone.