Signs of Pregnancy Before a Missed Period
For most women, the moment they suspect they are pregnant is when their menstrual period is late. Others, however, feel that they have become pregnant just a few days after their expected ovulation date. There are some signs of pregnancy before a missed period that can cause women to begin thinking they may be carrying a child, and these are usually either confirmed or denied when the period occurs or is missed.
6 Signs of Pregnancy Before a Missed Period
Decrease in Temperature
A drop in your basal body temperature (BBT) is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy before a missed period. Women who are tracking their BBT in order to predict ovulation will be able to notice the dip in the temperature which occurs approximately one week after ovulation. This temperature change is likely to mean that conception has occurred.
Implantation Bleeding
This is a very light bleeding experience that can occur as the fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining or the uterus after conception. It is usually hard to detect unless you are actively looking for it. There tends to be nothing more than light brown or pink staining on the toilet paper when you wipe during implantation bleeding. This symptom typically occurs eight to ten days following ovulation.
Abdominal Cramps
These signs of pregnancy period a missed period may feel very similar to menstrual discomfort. In some cases, women who think they may be pregnant are often fooled into thinking they are about to start their period when it fact they really have conceived. The cramping is usually due to the implantation of the egg in the uterus, meaning the symptom tends to occur around eight to ten days after ovulation.
Morning Sickness
This symptom is nothing more than nausea. It tends to occur first thing in the morning, hence the name. In reality, however, many pregnant women feel queasy at different times throughout the day and night. Morning sickness usually begins two to four weeks after ovulation, though many women have claimed to experience the symptom several days before their expected period.
Breast Changes
Changes in the breasts can be one of the common signs of pregnancy before a missed period. Tender breasts can be a sign of pregnancy, but it could also be an indication that your menstrual period is about to occur. On the other hand, if your breasts become enlarge, you may very well be able to tell you are pregnant before missing your period. If the soreness and swelling is combined with tingling in the breasts, they are usually an indicator of pregnancy.
Positive Pregnancy Test
A home pregnancy test is generally the first step a woman uses to determine pregnancy. These devices check for the level of hCG in the urine, and can be accurate as early as five days before the missed period. Blood hCG tests can be performed at your doctor’s office or local health department. They are more accurate than urine tests, and can determine the level of hCG in the body earlier than a urine pregnancy test can. hCG levels start to rise seven to ten days after ovulation, so tests can be used to confirm pregnancy at that time. However, many women and doctors prefer to wait until after the missed period to test.
