Contents
Female Reproductive Anatomy
How to Tell If You’re Pregnant
Prenatal Care
Fetal Development Calendar
Common Pregnancy Discomforts
Pregnancy Complications
Nutrition for Pregnant Women
Drugs and Environmental Hazards
Exercise During Pregnancy
Sexual Activity During Pregnancy
Special Pregnancies
How to Prepare for Childbirth
Labor and Childbirth
How to Care For Your New Baby
Learn more with these titles from Barnes & Noble
|
 |
 |
 |
|
How to Tell If You’re Pregnant
A pregnant woman’s body changes as it prepares to sustain a baby. Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Some early signs of pregnancy (listed from most to least common) include:
- Missed menstrual period
- Slight bleeding or spotting and cramping at the time of the expected menstrual period
- Nausea and/or vomiting or food aversion
- Tender and swollen breasts
- Fatigue, faintness, and dizziness
- Frequent urination
Pregnancy Tests
Many early signs of pregnancy are similar to premenstrual symptoms and even symptoms of a cold or illness. If you’re experiencing one or more signs of pregnancy, the best way to determine whether you’re actually pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. There are two types:
- Laboratory pregnancy tests: Very reliable tests that require a blood sample. To get one, you’ll have to visit a healthcare facility.
- Home pregnancy tests: Quick, simple, inexpensive kits that use a urine sample. They are slightly less reliable than laboratory tests (about 97–99% reliable when used correctly). They can be bought without a prescription in most drugstores and supermarkets. Read the instructions carefully, since these kits use various methods of urine collection and may show results differently. Most kits provide a toll-free hotline to address questions.
Home pregnancy tests can give both false-positive and false-negative results. If your test is negative and you continue to have symptoms of pregnancy, repeat the test a week later. If it’s positive, consult a healthcare professional for a physical examination to confirm your pregnancy.
| Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
