How Can I Know If I’m Really Pregnant?

If you’re sexually active and your period is running late, the first thing that pops into your head may be: “Am I pregnant?” Pregnancy testing is the only way to truly know the answer to this question. 

At Eve Medical of Miami, we offer free pregnancy testing so you can get the answers you need in a private, caring, nonjudgmental setting. But many women still question whether they need a pregnancy test or not. 

Here, we want to share with you some of the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Knowing what to expect during those first few weeks may help you decide what you need to do next.

Early signs and symptoms of pregnancy

After it’s fertilized, the egg makes its way through the fallopian tube to the uterus for implantation, which occurs about 6-12 days after fertilization. Cramping and spotting are common symptoms of uterine implantation.

However, you may miss these early symptoms of pregnancy since the cramping and spotting are almost imperceptible. And even if you happen to notice them, you may mistake these symptoms for your period.

When searching for early signs of pregnancy, your breasts may provide more noticeable clues. At the moment of conception, your hormone levels change drastically. Within a week of conception, these hormonal changes may cause your breasts to swell and become sore and tender.

Your hormonal changes also affect your energy levels. In addition to your sore breasts, feeling more tired than usual may also be one of the early signs that you’re pregnant. 

Other clues you may be pregnant

No single pregnancy is like another, and you may or may not experience these early signs and symptoms. 

Other clues to look for to help you know if you’re pregnant include:

• Bloating
• Feeling more emotional than usual
• Constipation
• Urinating more often
• Aversion to foods
• Mild headaches or backaches
• Feeling dizzy or faint

Of course, these signs and symptoms aren’t unique to pregnancy and you may not even notice them until your period is a week or two late. The only way to really know if you’re pregnant is to have a pregnancy test. 

How to know if you’re really pregnant

A pregnancy test is an accurate and safe tool that can let you know if you’re really pregnant. There are several types, including pregnancy tests you pick up at your local pharmacy and the free pregnancy test we offer at our clinic.

The at-home tests check your urine for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is a hormone you only produce during pregnancy. These types of pregnancy tests provide the most accurate results when you take them after you miss your period. 

Though some drugstore pregnancy tests say they can detect pregnancy as early as 10 days after conception, the results may not be accurate. 

Our pregnancy test is a blood test that also checks hCG levels. However, unlike the drugstore urine tests, our blood test provides accurate pregnancy results before you miss your first period. The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the sooner you can start taking the steps that best meet your family planning and health needs. 

We also offer free ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy, if desired, and provide counseling for family planning, birth control, and abortion. With these services we aim to help you make informed decisions about your body and your health. 

If you need to know if you’re really pregnant, contact us today. Call our office in Miami, Florida, or request an appointment here on the website to schedule your free pregnancy test.