It can be a nerve-wracking time when you think you might be pregnant. You may be wondering if it’s too soon to get an accurate result from a pregnancy test or if your period is just late this month.

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant, you might already understand your fertility window and how you can best prepare your body for pregnancy. The next step is finding out if you are pregnant.

In this blog, Dr. Patrick S. Ramsey, a maternal-fetal medicine physician at University Health, discusses the early signs of pregnancy, when to take a pregnancy test and what your next steps could look like.

What Are Some Early Symptoms of Pregnancy?

• Missed period
• Nausea (also called morning sickness, though it can happen any time of the day)
• Mood swings
• Change in appetite or food aversions
• Fatigue
• Breast tenderness

Everyone is different, so you may or may not experience all these symptoms. A missed period is the first hint that you may be pregnant. As the days and weeks go on, you may start to experience mood swings, fatigue and nausea.

How Soon Can Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

Pregnancy symptoms may start before your first missed period, but they become more obvious about four to six weeks after conception. This is generally around the time you miss your first period, and you might start feeling unusually fatigued or nauseous without any apparent reason.

Dr. Ramsey stresses that some early signs of pregnancy may be attributed to other conditions, so it’s important to take a pregnancy test to be certain. You may be feeling some confusion and uncertainty at this time, which is completely normal. Check out our blog debunking pregnancy myths and rumors.

Other Reasons for a Late Period

A delayed or missed period could indicate other health issues that may need medical treatment. A missed period could be caused by:

• Stress
• Hormonal imbalance
• Weight gain or loss
• Change in birth control
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Early Pregnancy vs. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Symptoms

Dr. Ramsey notes that early pregnancy symptoms can sometimes mimic premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a hormonal shift that occurs in the days leading up to your period. PMS is normal and not usually a cause for concern.

PMS Symptoms

In the days leading up to your period, your body produces significantly less estrogen and progesterone hormones. This sharp drop in hormone production can cause:

• Bloating
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Cramping
• Abdominal and/or back pain
• Constipation
• Acne

PMS symptoms resolve once your period starts.

hCG Hormone and Pregnancy Symptoms

Similarly, when you are pregnant, your body (specifically the placenta) begins producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG production really ramps up in the first trimester, causing unpleasant symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue and swollen breasts. But by the second trimester, hCG production evens out, and many of these symptoms go away.

How Can I Find Out if I’m Pregnant?

“The most accurate way to find out if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test,” said Dr. Ramsey. “Pregnancy tests use urine or blood.”

You can buy at-home tests at a drugstore or go to any University Health women's health clinic for a free pregnancy test. Most people take a pregnancy test at home and then confirm their pregnancy at a clinic with their health care provider. 

At-Home Pregnancy Test

At-home pregnancy tests use a urine test strip to detect the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in your urine, which indicates pregnancy. The placenta produces hCG hormone, and only pregnant or recently pregnant women will have a placenta. Very rarely does the body produce hCG outside of pregnancy.

Depending on the brand of at-home test you are using, a positive test will show two lines, a + symbol or a word to indicate the presence of hCG.

Be sure to read the instructions on the test to ensure you are using it correctly and getting an accurate result. At-home pregnancy tests are 97-99% accurate when taken correctly.

Also be aware that if your test shows two lines, even if one line is very faint, it indicates pregnancy.

Clinical Pregnancy Test

A clinical pregnancy test is similar to an at-home pregnancy test but is administered and read by a health care provider. This may give you more peace of mind that the test is accurate.

A clinical pregnancy test may use urine or blood. A blood test will be accurate sooner, so you will know if you are pregnant sooner than taking a urine test. If your test is positive, your health care team can help you arrange prenatal care. A clinical pregnancy test is the best way to confirm a pregnancy and start preparing for your next steps.

Can I Find Out I’m Pregnant Without a Test?

A pregnancy test is the best way to know if you are pregnant. If you choose not to take a test, as your pregnancy progresses, you will begin experiencing more pronounced symptoms like those listed above.

You may also begin to experience:

• Constipation
• Cramping
• Backaches
• Bloating
• Increased urination

Another way to confirm a pregnancy is by ultrasound at a doctor’s office. An ultrasound creates an image of your uterus and can show whether pregnancy is growing.

When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

Taking a pregnancy test at the right time will help you get an accurate result.

It’s best to take an at-home pregnancy test first thing in the morning when you use the restroom. This is when hCG levels in the urine are highest.

If you take the test too early before your missed period, it may show a false negative, meaning you are pregnant, but the test did not detect it. If your test is negative but you suspect you might be pregnant, wait five to seven days and then take it again.

Most at-home pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy starting on the day of your first missed period. Some very sensitive tests can detect a pregnancy up to six days before your first missed period.

What Should I Do Once I Get a Positive Pregnancy Test?

Once you get a positive pregnancy test, it’s a good idea to schedule your first prenatal care appointment. Prenatal care is a crucial part of maintaining your health. Your health care team will walk you through next steps and what to expect throughout your pregnancy journey. Go to your prenatal care visit with a list of questions and a support person, if possible.

University Health offers prenatal and infant care classes to help new parents prepare for the arrival of their baby.

It’s also a good idea to start preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy. Some ways to do this include:

• Stop smoking and/or drinking alcohol
• Start taking prenatal vitamins
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Get plenty of sleep
• Exercise regularly

If you have a medical condition, like diabetes, high blood pressure or an autoimmune disease, Dr. Ramsey recommends seeking care before you attempt to get pregnant or early in your pregnancy. Taking this step ensures your conditions are well controlled and helps minimize the risk for you and your pregnancy. A high-risk obstetric, also known as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, can assist with pregnancy planning and care.

If you do not wish to be pregnant, talk with a health care provider about your options or explore resources online through Planned Parenthood.

Pregnancy and Childbirth at University Health

If you recently found out you’re pregnant, you’re not alone. Learn more about how our women’s health team at University Health can support you every step of the way. From free pregnancy tests to prenatal counseling and infant care classes, we offer guidance and resources to answer all your questions. 

Women’s & Children’s Hospital

Take a virtual tour of the University Health Women’s & Children Hospital and see the high-quality care that we offer for patients at every stage of pregnancy.

As the first hospital in South Texas dedicated to taking care of women, children and babies, our team of specialists include maternal-fetal medicine doctors who have extensive specialized training in caring for women with complicated pregnancies.