In ways much more than one, the onset of pregnancy is a significant event in a woman’s life. Naturally, it becomes imperative to know every tiny detail, as one should ideally be aware of every possible occurrence and consequence arising out of this delicate situation. As a very first step of this careful and deliberate process, one can certainly be on the lookout for early signs of the process of pregnancy. A missed period is undoubtedly a surefire way to indicate pregnancy with some degree of accuracy; however it is not the only way to determine the same at all. In fact, a missed period on its own may not always be a signal of pregnancy, but a missed period, coupled with some other symptoms, points to a greater chance of a woman being pregnant. There are, of course, scientific methods to test pregnancy such as ultrasonography and pregnancy tests, but natural, bodily symptoms are the body’s way of telling you the same, and if one pays attention to them and are alert to such prodromes, they will be able to prepare themselves for this momentous occasion in a much more capable manner than before.

It should be noted that the last date of one’s most recent menstrual period determines their first week of pregnancy. This is also how the expected delivery date of childbirth is calculated. Hence, for some people, it is completely normal to not have discernible symptoms during the first 1-2 weeks. However, there will be symptoms for many during that period, and for all, following that period, till the fourth week, which is when the missed period commonly occurs, after the due course of a month. Missed period dates can fluctuate and be different for each person, so there is no reason to worry. One simply needs to be alert and take proper care of oneself.

That being said, there are various ways to know whether you are pregnant or not. Missed periods is definitely the most visible and common symptom, but there are so many ways to find out whether you are really pregnant or not.

How can I Know if I am Pregnant?

As we said, taking care of yourself and paying attention to even the slightest of changes can help you in accurately predicting the presence of another life in your womb. Pay attention to your bodily changes on a regular basis. One of the most common and early signs of pregnancy is the occurrence of cramps across the abdomen, lower back, and legs. The abdominal cramps are akin to menstrual cramps. Minimal amounts of vaginal bleeding might be visible during the first few weeks of pregnancy. The technical term for this is implantation bleeding, because this occurs when the egg is implanted on the uterine wall. It should be noted that this is lighter and lesser in volume than period bleeding. In order to cope with the rigors of early pregnancy, the body produces more progesterone, which induces sleep. Lower blood sugar and blood pressure can also contribute to extended periods of tiredness.

Owing to an increased circulation of blood along with hormonal imbalances, there can be prolonged throbbing of the head and sinuses, leading to headaches. Along with fatigue, low blood sugar and blood pressure can also cause lightheadedness. Blood vessels dilate more during this period to facilitate increased circulation, which also makes one prone to dizziness and near-fainting. A lot of women happen to experience random mood swings in the early months of their pregnancy. This might be due to the drastic changes in the hormonal levels in their bodies. That being said, it is difficult to pinpoint these mood swings to pregnancy, as they could just be symptoms of PMS. Nevertheless, it is important to take note, if you are going through severe mood swings.

Basal body temperature is the temperature of your body, while you are resting. It is usually lower than the normal body temperature. An increase in this temperature could be indicative of you being pregnant. You can make a chart of this temperature throughout your ovulation, to determine whether you are truly pregnant or not. Many women happen to urinate frequently in the early months of their pregnancy. The reason behind this is that after conception, the blood flow to the kidney increases, which in turn makes the kidneys produce more urine, hence frequent urination. If you are taking more short trips to the bathroom that usual, maybe it’s time to actually get your suspicions confirmed. Frequent trips to the washroom automatically refer to the frequent draining of fluids from your body, which means you’ll feel thirstier than before. This can be a sign of pregnancy, as your body needs more fluids for both you and your baby. However, sometimes, frequent thirst could be an indication of low blood pressure during your pregnancy, or something serious. Consult a doctor, if this problem persists.

Nausea and morning sickness are extremely common during pregnancy. Although the cause is unclear, hormones do have a role to play in this. This sickness only lasts in the first few months of the pregnancy though. Even after this discussion, which can definitely help you in somewhat predicting your pregnancy, a disclaimer should be added that in order to properly get your pregnancy detected, it is always important to consult a doctor.