Some women, using early pregnancy signs alone, can typically tell that they are pregnant long before they have taken a pregnancy test. For women who have had children in the past, these tell-tale signs are generally quite easy to identify. However, for those who have never been pregnant, many of the more common symptoms can easily be mistaken for a flu or a cold. By understanding the changes that a one’s body goes through when she becomes pregnant, a woman may be able to determine whether to seek out a pregnancy test administered by a medical professional much earlier on in her pregnancy.
Morning sickness is probably one of the symptoms that is most commonly associated with the early stages of pregnancy. In spite of the fact that it is something with which most pregnant women will suffer, the nausea that comes with morning sickness is often mistakenly attributed to the flu. One of the best ways of differentiating between the flu and morning sickness is the length of time that the nausea lasts. Flu symptoms will often subside in just a few days, while the stomach discomfort that comes with pregnancy can last for many weeks.
General fatigue is another symptom that commonly accompanies the beginning of a pregnancy. This, coupled with the nausea mentioned above, is often misread as a symptom of a cold or a flu. The fatigue that comes with pregnancy should be relatively mild and should not interfere with your carrying out your daily activities. Instead, many women may feel that they are uncommonly tired at the end of the day, or that they are less likely to build extra activities into their schedule. Fatigue alone is not a good indicator of pregnancy, as it can have so many different root causes.
The mood changes that come with pregnancy are among the most lampooned side effects of carrying a child. Though they are often exaggerated for comedic effect in television and movies, the changes in hormone levels that begin when an egg is fertilized can have a big impact on a woman’s mood. When these drastic fluctuations in mood are accompanied by any of the above symptoms, it may be time to consult your doctor or visit a drug store for a pregnancy test.
Most of the early signs of pregnancy can also be symptomatic of other changes in your physical health. Women who experience these symptoms for more than a few days should always consult their physician.