Am I Pregnant?
It’s a question many women ask Dr Google… Am I pregnant? There are many early signs of pregnancy and this post looks at how pregnancy affects your feelings and your levels of energy*. We have a separate post outlining what happens to your breasts when you’re pregnant.
Maybe you’ve been a bit moody lately… more so than normal? Have you experienced tenderness in your breasts beyond what you normally have before your period comes? Maybe you’re exhausted and can’t seem to keep your eyes open past 7 pm? These are all reasons to ask yourself: Am I pregnant?
If you’re sexually active and experiencing these symptoms, it’s certainly possible. All sorts of things start to happen inside your body at the moment of conception. Not only does the sperm meet the egg and a human embryo start to form, but your body knows what to do and many of your systems kick into overdrive to prepare you for what’s to come. Most obviously, your period will be late and if you ARE pregnant, you can expect its absence for the next several months.
Here are some other, perhaps less obvious early pregnancy signs you may experience:
Pregnancy mood swings
Some women experience slight moodiness before their period each month. This is due to cyclical hormonal changes. For the same reason (hormone changes), this early pregnancy symptom can rear its head for many women. You may experience crying, mild depression, irritability, tension or anxiety, even anger. Don’t panic as this is very normal.
NOTE: If you feel extremely depressed or anxious, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible. You can also speak with one of our caring client support team members and we can connect you with a local GP.
Fatigue, tiredness & pregnancy
It takes a lot of energy to make another person. For this reason, tiredness is a very common side effect many women experience from the moment they fall pregnant and throughout the first trimester. Changes in hormones, anxiety over the news of the pregnancy, and vomiting and nausea (see next sign) can all be causes of your fatigue.
Morning sickness, nausea & vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are often referred to as morning sickness in early pregnancy although this symptom can hit a woman at any time of day, not just the morning. You experience a surge of hormones as soon as you fall pregnant and this is why many women feel nauseous. Many never experience this symptom; for some, it goes away after the first trimester; for others, you may have it the entire 9 months. Eating small meals, limiting odorous or heavy spices in your food may help.
Implantation bleeding
Some women falsely think menstruation has begun because implantation bleeding typically occurs between 6 and 12 days after the egg is fertilised, which can coincide with the date you expect your period to come. This bleeding is usually very light and doesn’t last more than a couple of days. Unlike your normal period which becomes heavier with dark red blood, this can be light red, pink, or brown. You experience this as the fertilised egg attaches itself to the lining of your uterus. You can read more about implantation bleeding here.
If you are still asking yourself the question “Am I pregnant”, book an appointment with our team. Zoe’s Place provides free pregnancy testing so you can find out. Zoe’s Place offers FREE and confidential non-directive support to its clients. Pregnancy testing, mentoring, pre-decision counselling, and post-abortion counselling are some of the services Zoe’s Place provides.
You’re welcome to bring a friend, partner, or family member to your appointment where you can ask questions and access other services that our community provides.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment or to talk with one of our caring client support team members. Seeking peace of mind during what can be a difficult or confusing time of life is important and our goal is to give you a “safe place to pause.”
____* this article is for informational purposes only, not intended to treat or diagnose. Call us or book an appointment if you still need an answer to the question “Am I pregnant?”