Am I Pregnant? An In-Depth Guide to Pregnancy Symptoms and Testing


For a woman desiring pregnancy, the two-week wait and beyond is a time of excitement, anticipation and hope that a baby will soon be on board. With pregnancy symptoms varying from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy, it is easy to see why so many women are left wondering, "Am I pregnant?" Luckily, by reviewing the following signs and confirming with pregnancy tests, a woman can feel confident that her answer to that question is the right one.

I am pregnant

Early Pregnancy Symptoms


Implantation Spotting & Cramping


The two-week wait, the time between ovulation and the end of a woman's reproductive cycle, is a nail-biting period in the life of women desiring pregnancy. For some women, early pregnancy signs can begin surfacing as early as a week after conception. One of the earliest pregnancy indicators is implantation spotting and cramping. From six to twelve days after conception, light spotting and menstrual-like cramps may appear as the embryo snuggles into the uterus. Ironically, this cramping and spotting is often mistaken for the upcoming menstrual cycle and frequently ignored as a pregnancy symptom. Since many women don't experience this spotting and cramping, if it doesn't occur it has no bearing on whether or not a woman has conceived that cycle. Additionally, a woman may experience an increase and consistency change in her vaginal discharge due to a thickening in the vaginal wall after conception.

Breast Changes


In the one to two weeks following conception, many women notice their bras getting tighter as breasts swell and grow heavier due to the rapid hormone changes going on within the body. This hormonal explosion may cause breast enlargement and sensitivity, as well as a darkening of the areolas, the skin around the nipples. Some women also find the blue veins in their breasts gaining a more noticeable map-like appearance during pregnancy.

Oh the Stomach Woes


Beginning two to eight weeks after conception, an upswing in progesterone can leave a woman feeling like a sailor as burping and flatulence increase from relaxing gastrointestinal muscles. If that weren't enough, rising estrogen causes the stomach to empty slower, leaving many moms-to-be nauseous and/or vomiting. Although lovingly called morning sickness, some unlucky expectant moms experience all day sickness, while others have none at all. As pregnancy hormones rage a battle within the pregnancy body, constipation can also result from food moving slower through the intestines. To help this unpleasant symptom, drink plenty of water and eat a high fiber diet. Nausea and vomiting can also result from a heightened sense of smells and tastes. For those unfortunate moms, even a walk through the grocery store may lead to an unscheduled dart to the bathroom.

Food Cravings and Aversions


Those never experiencing pregnancy may think the stereotypical pickles and ice cream is little more than an exaggerated myth. To a newly pregnant mom, however, these wild cravings are not only real, but can dominate daily thoughts. When the expectant mom says she needs nacho cheese and chips at that second, she's not kidding! Similar to food cravings, some women experience equally strong food aversions. Foods that were previously enjoyed suddenly become repulsive to the pregnant woman. Eating or smelling these foods may result in nausea or even vomiting.

What is Happening to my Body?


The number of body changes occurring after conception can be mind boggling for the new mother-to-be. Rapidly changing hormones and increased blood production can cause extreme fatigue beginning a week after conception. If the woman suddenly finds herself nodding off at work or falling asleep in the early evening, a positive pregnancy test could be in her future. The sudden rise in hormones is also wreaking havoc on her body, leading to headaches, backaches, nasal congestion and even insomnia. Lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar and dilating blood vessels can cause lightheadedness, dizziness and even heart palpitations as the body prepares to nurture a baby. On top of the growing physical changes, the expectant mom may feel like an alien is taking over her emotions as she deals with wild mood swings due to increasing hormones. It is not unusual to see the pregnant woman go from crying to hysterical laughter in a matter of minutes.

Delayed Menstrual Cycle


One of the biggest pregnancy symptoms is a delay or lack of menstrual cycle in a woman with regular cycles. If the period is a few days late, it is a good idea to test for pregnancy so that prenatal care can begin.

Read next about the Home Pregnancy Tests and remember - Pregnancy is a beautiful and short-lived period in your life. Although pregnancy symptoms can drive you nuts and make you miserable, take the time to embrace your body changes and crazy hormonal behavior. Once that precious bundle of joy is born, you might even miss that big pregnancy belly and the special feelings and emotions that only an expectant mother knows.