Weird Early Symptoms of Pregnancy Before Your Missed Period
Do You Feel Weird In Early Pregnancy?
The nervous two-week wait before a pregnancy test is a rite of passage for women. Whether you're praying for a positive or crossing your fingers that it's just really bad PMS, read on and entertain or torture yourself with these weird early symptoms that sometimes mean pregnancy (and sometimes don't...).
Are There Any Early Pregnancy Signs Before I Miss My Period?
The early signs and symptoms of pregnancy can feel almost exactly the same as the signs and symptoms that your period is coming. Thanks to those drastic hormone fluctuations, PMS and pregnancy can feel almost the same (cramps, light spotting or bleeding, moodiness, etc.), so you won't know for sure if it's a period or a baby until it's time to take the pregnancy test.
But according to Rebecca Lee, a registered nurse in New York and founder of RemediesForMe.com, "It is very common to have pregnancy symptoms before your missed period. Although they may be slight, you may be able to catch them if you know what to look for." Below, you'll find a list of many signs and symptoms you might notice.
Weird Early Symptoms of Pregnancy
- You're stuffed up, congested, or feel like you have a cold.
- Food tastes different than it normally does.
- Suddenly, smoke and caffeine are gross.
- You experience nausea or reflexive gagging.
- You're exhausted.
- You can't catch your breath.
- You feel sad, mad, or anxious for no apparent reason.
- You have a superhuman sense of smell.
- You're bloated, gassy, cramped, or constipated.
- You need to pee more often.
- Your breasts feel painful or swollen.
- You feel inexplicably hot and sweaty.
- You feel dizzy and lightheaded.
- You experience dramatic mood swings.
Are you pregnant? Maybe, but maybe not. The reasons for each of these strange sensations is described below.
Does Being Pregnant Feel Like You're Coming Down With a Cold?
Reaching for the tissues in June? Early pregnancy (annnnd, well, the whole pregnancy) can cause rhinitis of pregnancy which is basically a stuffed up, runny nose that can also lead to a scratchy throat. Why? The extra estrogen surges can cause an increase in congestion, and the extra blood flow (yep, pregnancy creates more blood!) also contributes to swelling in the sinuses.
Later, the drippity drop of mucous may also make morning sickness and nausea worse. Yay.
If constantly dabbing at your nose with a kleenex is irritating the skin around it, grab some gentle lotion or chapstick and apply it to the affected areas during your bedtime routine.
Why Does Everything Taste Either Incredible or Incredibly Awful?
Suddenly your fruit salad from the deli tastes like it has been seasoned with an entire shaker of salt and your tongue is on fire after eating licorice and all you can think about at 3 a.m. is that can of Spaghetti-Os in the pantry. Why does this happen in early pregnancy? It's probably safe to chalk it up to rapidly changing hormones, but no one really knows for sure. The good news is that food aversions usually disappear in the second trimester.
A Sudden Intolerance for Smoke and Caffeine
Smells or tastes that you once enjoyed can suddenly send your stomach lurching thanks to a shift in hormones. Your body may become more sensitive to things like caffeine and nicotine, which may cause you to shake, sweat, and feel nauseous.
Why Am I Suddenly Gagging and Nauseous? Is It Morning Sickness?
Thank that sweet, sweet estrogen for the combination of a heightened sense of smell and lovely nasal drainage for this unpleasant symptom.
To ease early pregnancy nausea, eat a hearty, bland breakfast as soon as you wake up and try to squeeze a brisk walk in before you head out to work or school. You can also replace your regular minty toothpaste with a milder flavor to reduce gagging and vomiting while brushing your teeth.
Everything Is Exhausting
Sleepiness in the week leading up to your period is totally typical, especially if you haven't been getting enough Zs, exercise, or iron. But if you're worn out just from curling your hair and looking for any opportunity to plop down on the couch and stare off into space, there's a chance pregnancy is the cause.
Gulp extra water and indulge in those staring-off sessions—growing a human is exhausting.
Why Can't I Catch My Breath?
Huffing and puffing walking up the steps to your apartment? This is a feeling that will follow most women through their entire pregnancy, but can be especially alarming (and annoying) in the beginning, when the body requires more oxygen to grow the embryo.
Feeling Down, Anxious, or Just Plain Off?
This is a tricky, vague symptom of early pregnancy that can be attributed to premenstrual symptoms or just being human. However, if you suddenly find yourself in tears over a toilet paper ad or fuming about something a friend said on Facebook when you're typically stoic it might be a good idea to check the calendar to see where you're at in the two week wait.
Your Sense of Smell Is Totally Out-of-Control
Did you just smell your partner walk in the door all of the way from the upstairs bathroom? If you're pregnant, you can blame (that's right, say it with me) estrogen for your heightened sense of smell. From roses to ravioli, everything is going to start smelling much stronger, sometimes for the better but usually for the worse.
Time to start opening some windows.
Why Am I So Gassy?
It's no secret that gas and increased flatulence is a symptom of pregnancy, but for many women, it can be one of their first clues to the impending changes. That's because the surge of progesterone that happens when you conceive relaxes your body's muscles as it prepares for childbirth. This can result in a some sneaky little slips. Whoops!
Why Am I Peeing All the Time?
Suddenly, your bladder seems to have shrunk to the size of a peanut and you're running to the bathroom all the time. Extra blood flow to a pregnant woman's kidneys causes an increase in the production of urine, up to 25% more. Figure in the increased pregnancy hormone levels and you'll understand why you had to get up to pee eight times last night.
It'll likely stop during the second trimester, but it'll likely start again during the third. Don't stop drinking fluids, just think of the extra trips to the bathroom as exercise.
Your Breasts Hurt and Look Larger, Fuller, or Darker
One of the first signs of pregnancy is changes in the breasts. This can include darkening and deepening veins (like a roadmap on your chest), darker and larger areolas, and of course, soreness and pain, especially on the sides around your armpit areas and even leading down into your upper arms.
This totally uncomfortable symptom occurs because breast tissue is sensitive to progesterone, a hormone that's released in a woman's body when she becomes pregnant. It's also the reason many of us experience breast discomfort and pain before our periods, when progesterone surges.
Do Cramps, Back Pain, and Lower Abdominal Pain Mean You're Pregnant?
Cramps, twinges, and pains in your lower back or on one side of your lower abdomen can indicate implantation. Each month when you ovulate, your eggs are released from either the tube on the left or the right, sometimes causing soreness. Pain in your back and lower stomach area can indicate a fertilized egg attaching to the uterus.
Cramping will likely continue in the first few months of pregnancy as the uterus expands for your growing baby. To ease the pain, forego over-the-counter pain relievers which can be harmful, and instead take a warm, relaxing bath to take your mind off those twinges and pangs.
Totally Unexplained Dizziness, Vertigo, or Lightheadedness
Feeling like you just stepped off a roller-coaster after vacuuming or getting up off the couch too quickly can be an early sign of pregnancy. While the nausea and vomiting may never come, the dizziness is just as yucky.
As your hormones begin to rise, blood vessels relax and widen, contributing to those freaky dizzy spells of early pregnancy.
Dramatic and Melodramatic Mood Swings
Did you lose your cool in the parking lot? Did a song on the radio trigger a torrent of tears? Who knew that it was humanly possible to laugh and cry at the same time? The pregnant woman did, that's who.
Changes in metabolism and hormone levels can affect neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that regulate mood. When a woman gets pregnant, estrogen and progesterone start playing her mood like a violin.
More Questions About Early Pregnancy Signs
Does your pee turn dark yellow or orange during pregnancy?
You probably just haven’t been drinking enough water. Although dehydration can be a sign of pregnancy, it can also just be a sign that you need to drink more water!
My mouth tastes metallic, like it's full of loose change or like I've been sucking on spoons. Yuck. Is that a sign of pregnancy?
Dysgeusia, a distortion of the sense of taste, is a common early symptom of pregnancy. It can affect the taste of the food you eat but may be experienced even when you're not eating.
What's that stuff in my underwear? Is that normal?
Seeing an increase in white or clear vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) is a normal symptom of early pregnancy.
What if I'm feeling nauseous before my period is due?
Nausea is an early sign of conception, but it's also a common PMS symptom, so you'll have to wait to find out what your hormones are telling you!
How early can you detect signs of pregnancy?
Some women feel different right away, but you can't know for sure until you take that pregnancy test.
So If You Feel Weird, Are You Pregnant?
You'll have to wait two weeks to take a pregnancy test to know for sure.
Should You Avoid Anything in the Two Week Wait?
If you suspect you may be pregnant, here are some things to hold off on until you can test and find out for sure:
- Consuming Alcohol This should be pretty obvious but it's also highly (and hotly) debated as to whether this "rule" is really necessary. Suffice to say, most doctors advise against consuming alcohol during pregnancy as doing so can harm a growing fetus.
- Smoking If it's not good for you, it's certainly not good for a wee one!
- Caffeine Some doctors will okay a small intake every day (like a small morning cup), but caffeine can also trigger unpleasant reactions like dizziness, sweating, and lightheadedness.
- Aspirin and Ibuprofen Neither are considered safe during pregnancy unless recommended by a doctor.
- Deli Meats and Soft Cheeses Lunchmeat and soft cheeses (like feta and blue cheese) can carry listeria, the bacteria that causes listeriosis. Though contracting listeriosis—a food-borne infection—isn't necessarily life-threatening in a healthy person, it can cause miscarriage because fetuses are much more vulnerable to illness and infection than healthy adults.
- Scooping Cat Litter Besides the smell of the ammonia in cat urine being totally gross, cat feces contain the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, another disease that can prove fatal to a growing baby. If you can't get out of this chore, just make sure to wash your hands really well afterward. (Hey—you should be doing that anyway!)
- Saunas, Hot Tubs, and Hot Baths Excessive heat can cause a growing baby to develop birth defects because baby can't regulate his/her own body temperature. So while you can cool down quickly, baby can't. A good way to judge the water temperature is to make sure that your skin isn't turning pink. It's also a good idea to let your limbs drape out of the tub.
When Is the Best Time to Test for Pregnancy, and What is the Best Way to Test?
The pregnancy hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) isn't detectable until at least two weeks after conception—basically around the time of your missed period. Conception happens at the time of ovulation and most women ovulate two weeks before their period. While some early detection pregnancy tests claim to be able to tell you earlier than that, your best bet is to wait a day after you expected your period to test. Hey, pregnancies tests aren't cheap, and taking one too early may result in a false-negative.
How Early Can You Actually Take a Pregnancy Test?
I've read different old wive's tales across the internet on how to test for pregnancy at home—pee in vinegar, pee in baking soda, pee, well, all over. But the best place to pee if you want to find out whether or not you have a baby on the way is right on a scientifically-developed home pregnancy test.
With both of my pregnancies, I confirmed early on that I was pregnant using a First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test. As for how early you can actually test before you're pregnant, the general rule is 6 days before your missed period if you're using one of these early response tests. Follow the directions on the box and if you get a negative result but still don't get your period, test again in two days since the pregnancy hormone (that turns the second line on these tests pink) doubles every 48 hours.
Did You Take a Test?
Is your period late but you're still pulling up negatives on your pregnancy tests? Check out my article Why Would You Have a Late Period if You're Not Pregnant? for some of the most common reasons why.
How Did YOU Know You Were Pregnant?
When to Call Your Doctor
Hey, I'm just like you, I Google 100% of everything before I take it up with my doctor—much to her chagrin. Still, this article is not meant to be used as a tool for diagnosis. Always consult a physician for medical advice and if you're feeling unwell, having strange symptoms after unprotexted sex, or have questions about your fertility.
Questions & Answers
© 2013 Kierstin Gunsberg
Comments
I been having cramping under my stomach for the past 2 days what does this mean
Ok... so my periods are pretty regular never more than a day late. I use a period tracker app to know when my next menstrual cycle should start. On May I failed to check my fertile days and ended up being intimate on my fertile days. I used the morning after pill because I am not trying to conceive and the condom broke on us. so when my period was due I had very light spotting that lasted around 3 days now that is June I am 5 days late with no PMS symptoms. I had a home test done and was negative. With my 1st born I had 3 months no period with negative test. when I finally went to see a doctor blood work came back positive and therefore I swore I was about 3 month pregnant but ultrasound shown almost 8 month far. my first sono was on November and second on December and I gave birth on January. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this before. A pregnancy with no symptoms? Can someone still get pregnant after taking the plan B pill?
Okay I'm starting to have signs of getting my menstrual early like big red pimples and I know I might be getting my menstrual early last month I only got it for 5 days and me and my fiance had sex we're trying to get pregnant could there be a possibility that I might be getting my menstrual early that maybe I could be ovulating at this time because I'm having symptoms of getting the minstrel early
Ok i had while i was ovulating last month on the 24 and 26th both days, i came on the 10th last month, so the 24th was one of my ovulating days, about a week or so later i started having this pain at the bottom of my stomach and lower back some days, i came on this month 3 days late. Today is day 2 of my period and its heavier than normal, could i be with child, and when should i take a test
I just had unprotected sex yesterday and my period came on the very next day and it was odd because my flow was very heavy and ny cramps were unbearable usually its not heavy its light when it first comes on and my breast are tender and ive been feeling nauseous and i never feel nauseous when my period comes on
Want to know if I could be pregnant had my periods early last month on the 21st of may witch I normally gets it on the 25 started light then heavy the next day then 3rd and 4th day it was just brown now since the end o may ip till now I'm having morning sickness can I be pregnant also lower back pains and jot flushes at night
I knew I was pregnant when I went to get in the shower and saw what used to be my wonderful pink nipples were BROWN! Haha
Did a test and i was 1-2weeks pregnant.
Exciting!
Hi, my cycle is 30, my period is always regular and 7 days long even if I'm stress. I got my period last January 19, February 19, March 19 and April 19 on time.
But my period for this month came 2 days early, it came on May 17 instead of May 19. And then only lasted for 2 days. It started on May 17 (evening) and completely ended on May 19 (evening).
No cramps or pain. It was moderate bleeding with very few and tiny clots but wasn't heavy then turned into brown discharge then stopped out of the sudden on May 19 (evening)..
May 20, no bleeding, I woke up with my nipples were sore to touch.
May 21, 22, no bleeding, my nipples weren't sore anymore but I felt like weird, like a bit gassy and slightly felt like to gag but didn't vomit.
May 23, I took one urine pregnancy test (evening) didn't use morning pee, it is said negative.
May 24, no bleeding, still felt gassy.
I want to know if implantation can be heavy? Btw, I had unprotected sexual intercourse with my partner once or twice, from 1st week of May to May 16, we only used withdrawal method.
I feel weak and tired my back ache . am I pregnant
I'm almost 2 weeks late.. I had unprotected sex on the 2nd of may and I had just gotten off BC a week before it is now the 24th still no period. I sleep constantly.. no throwing up idk if it's nausea but when I wake up I feel like I have to burp but it won't come out and I feel really weak this has been going on for the past 3 days... I don't really have an appetite I cry for everything literally every little thing hurts my feelings or sometimes it's nothing and I just feel like crying I had cramping around the 15th and 16th but it went away my back is breaking out I don't know if I'm pregnant or maybe I could be stressed please help
My current symptoms are: brown spotting on toilet paper for one day, out of control crying this morning, splitting headache, nausea and heartburn now. 5 days till periods due! Hope I’m preggers!
So I had sex about a week ago 05/12 ish and we didnt realize that the condom broke. Now 05/19 and a few days before I started having a super stuffy nose, then tonight 05/19 I got a cramp in my lower left side. When I go to the bathroom, sometimes when I wipe theres a small amount of blood on the toilet paper. Also, my mouth is super dry even when I drink water it doesnt help. My period starts in like 4 days. Are these signs I could be pregnant?
So my period is usally pretty regular, heavy, bright red, and lasts 5-7days. My last period was light, light brown, and 4 days. Now I've gotten my period a week early. But its more like spotting and again light brown with a hint of red. My period has never been like this in the 14 years ive had it. Am i pregnant?
I had No period for two monthus all the symptoms and blood and pee is neg I have a history of miscarriage and molar pregnant so light head nauseous cramping for weeks peeing a lot and we been trying to conceive and the de are telling me it’s in my head it’s not my stomach is bigger then befor what do I do
My period start on the 4/19 completely end nothing there by 4/27, had sex on the 4/29, period tracker say I ovulate on the 5/2, sex again 5/4, now my breast are tender and heavy, I feel out breath when I walk my job stairs, hot flashy feeling, a bit congested followed by headache , it is too soon for symptoms
hi am having left pelvic pain and back pain when i lay down on my back after ovulation sometimes back hurt alot when am sleeping and its been 2 days i have pelvic pain
Hi, I had sex on my ovulating day April 13th (which I didn’t realize until after). I immediately noticed when i check my period tracker, since then I have been going to the bathroom to pee a lot even poop ( I know tmi but it could be helpful). During the first 2 weeks I was cramping way more than usual not to painful but it was there. I decided to get a early detection test and test 4 days before my expected period (April 23rd) but it was negative. I tried again the day after my expected period (April 28th) still negative. It has been driving me crazy and now I have started spotting very light bleeding not heavy on May 3rd (7days after my expected period) along with a sore throat. I don’t know what to expect because I have read so many things saying it could be late implantation bleeding, who knows. But I have been having many of the pregnancy symptons nausea, cramps, darker breast, more trips to the bathroom. I haven’t tested again, Should I try again?
Yes I feel weird
There are seven days till left for My periods. But today I found some brown stuff in my panties. I had sex without protection After my periods several times. Is it normal or m I pregnant
Hello my OD was on the 23rd had UPS on the 18th,19th,21st & 22nd
It’s now the 26th & I’m having lower back ache , slight headache & feeling really gassy
Could this be a sign of pregnancy?
I’m still 12 days out from AF
- Author
Hi, Ebony. Since your cycle was off I would try taking a pregnancy test. If it comes back negative and your cycles continue to be short or different from normal talk to your doctor. It may be a sign of perimenopause which can cause lighter or shorter cycles than normal.
Hi I’m 41 n I came on my (p) 4days before my expected (p) mind me I only stay on for 2day when my cycle is usually 5-7 days. Could I be pregnant? Please help
- Author
Hi, Nadia - I think if you're on cycle day 27 you should be okay to take a pregnancy test. If it's negative, I would still call your doctor and let them know you have a fever and pain because that can be a sign of infection.
Also, your doctor will be able to give you a pregnancy test if the one you take at home is inconclusive.
hi kierstin i have question am on cd27 am having red spotting high temp 36.7 and cramps back pain tender breast i dont know its period or implantation am having high temp 2 weeks and now 2 days spotting
- Author
Rice, I agree, if you have a typical 28 day cycle then it's unlikely you conceived. However, if on some off chance you ovulated a few days early this month then there's a possibility for conception.
Feeling cold, bloated, etc. before your period is not uncommon (at all) and sometimes the indicator of pregnancy will be less symptoms ahead of your period, since your body isn't getting ready to start it's cycle.
The only thing that kind of concerns me in regards to pregnancy is the spotting on the 29th. But some women do randomly experience spotting. I'd hold off and only take a pregnancy test if you period doesn't come on the day you expect it. If you continue to experience mid-cycle spotting, talk to your doctor.
March 22-26 is my period days ,march 28 we had a sex ,then march 29 i have spotting,and now 6 days before my expected period i feel so cold .my body is hot but no fever.sometimes i feel bloated and gassy also feeling heavy full at my lower abdomen ,i think march 28 is my safe period..do u think im pregnant?
- Author
Hi, Lima Lou! Thank you for the compliment but I'm sorry I freaked you out!
How far out from your period are you? It's completely possible that your symptoms have to do with PMS and even ovulation not pregnancy and that you're just now noticing them because you're nervous that you might be pregnant.
When it's four days from when you expect your period, I'd start testing just because I know you're going nuts wondering. Testing four days early is tricky, you can get a false negative but you can also get a positive (I did with my second daughter).
Keep testing every other day until the day your period is due and if it's still negative then then I would say more than likely, you're in the clear!
If it does turn out you're pregnant, if it brings you any comfort, I was 23 when I found out I (very unexpectedly) was pregnant with my first baby and 24 when I had her. A year later I had our second daughter. They're 4 and almost 3 now and even though becoming a mom at that stage wasn't what I had initially planned, we're doing really well. I know that everyone says this but it's true, I couldn't imagine life without them now!
And I'm also in college. Since you're a senior, it would be REALLY easy for you to finish up before (this hypothetical) baby arrives, or at least shortly after.
You've got this, either way!!
P.S. If you're not pregnant, check out Bedsider(dot)org for info on birth control options. They go through ALL of them and the pros and cons of each so that you don't have to deal with "scares" :)
I really appreciate the article you put together, Kierstin! It does have me a tad freaked out, though, haha. I recently had sex without recognizing that it was during my time that I was most likely get pregnant, and now I'm dealing with a super nasty cold, and a sore, scratchy throat -- both are things that I never get. I have also been having tight stitch-like pains on my lower right abdomen. It's the type of pain where you don't feel like you can stretch it, you know? And then mild back pain on my lower right side. The other day I was feeling a bit nauseous, extra thirsty, and incredibly hot too while I was in my biology lab (I'm 24, but I'm a senior in college). Lastly, lots of tummy rumbling, like extra gas is moving around but nothing really comes out. I was definitely not actively trying to have a child at all, in fact, it was the last thing on my mind, but if I am I will happily accept this blessing from God.
- Author
Hey, Loveness! If you're already experience intense symptoms and you're four days out from the start of your period then it would be okay to take a pregnancy test right now. If the hormones that are causing your symptoms are pregnancy related then you should get a positive test now. If the hormones that are causing your symptoms are related to your menstrual cycle, then the test will be negative.
If you get a negative test and your period ends up late, then should take another at that point.
- Author
Hi Anu,
Those are all typical PMS symptoms for sure. If you've recently had unprotected sex though, it's not a bad idea to grab a pregnancy test and take it, especially if your period ends up being late.
Hi my PM's date is tomorrow.unprotected and feeling Brest pain soreness and lower abdomen pain from 5 days and eating too much does it mean pregnancy r pms
- Author
Going off from a 34 day cycle, the best day for you to have started testing was on Sunday, April 8th. So, that you got a negative causes me to lean towards you not being pregnant. However, there's a possibility, since you do have irregular periods that you still could be.
I would continue to test every other day for the next week and if you still don't A), get a positive test or B) get your period, then I'd call your doctor.
As for the symptoms, they're not completely uncommon for PMS, I actually deal with similar symptoms before my own cycle starts, especially the later I get.
It's also possible, based on your symptoms that you're sick which could delay your period as well.
My cycles are 31-34 days. I do have irrregular periods so its not posible for me to have an exact date ever. I got my last periods on March 4. We had unprotected sex on March 18th and March 25th. During March 25th intercourse, we noticed very slight pink spotting. It wasn't red but just a light pink. Not sure if that was implantation bleeding or ovulation spotting or nothing. I was meant to get my periods 3 days ago. I tested yesterday and it was negative. I feel tired, rapid heart rate, loose stomach, lightheaded like i am in a daze. Am i pregnant?
- Author
Blossom, I'm sorry your beta was negative! I really hope you get your BFP soon and WHEN you do please come back and tell me!!
- Author
Hi, Faith! If you just had unprotected sex one day ago you wouldn't be feeling pregnancy symptoms. However, if you were fertile you would definitely feel ovulation symptoms and one of those symptoms is nausea. You can look up "ovulation sickness" for more information on this not-so-great side effect of being born female.
Thank you for responding so quickly ❤️
I had a beta hcg yesterday. Its a negative
- Author
Hi, Blossomsmv!
So, first, I love period apps for tracking my period but when it comes to TTC, I don't think they're very helpful, especially if you have PCOS which can cause irregular periods. Your tracking app won't be able to take your irregular cycles into account accurately. So, even though I know your app is telling you that you're late, it's possible that you haven't ovulated yet or ovulated late and that would mean that technically, your period may not be late at all.
All of that being said, since you are actively trying to conceive I would take a pregnancy test just to gauge where you're at. I know that's probably a really scary and intimidating thought right now but if you can do it with a friend or your partner nearby for moral support, that would be ideal.
If it comes back positive - yay! Dizzy spells can definitely be a symptom of early pregnancy, however dryness is not as common.
But if it comes back negative then the symptoms you're experiencing could be ovulation or PMS symptoms.
If you haven't already, I would look into the charting and temping method for conceiving. This would involve taking your temperature with a Basal Body Temperature thermometer first thing in the morning and charting the results to define when you are about to ovulate. There's a lot of resources online to learn how to do this, BabyCenter has some good groups and Toni Weschler's book Taking Charge of Your Fertility also has information on the BBT charting method.
Hi. According to my period app, im 7days late. I have pcos and have had 2 failed ivfs last year.
I had an early miscarriage in December 2017. I am 28yrs old
Still ttc naturally..
My cycles are irregular and since im 7days late (as per my period tracking app) im not sure if im pregnant. I have had dizzy spells recently, vagina was very dry and am having sharp pains in my left buttock region (pelvic area) today. Could these be early pregnancy signs? Pls answer asap :)
- Author
Hi Kirsten,
You should call your doctor and let them know about your symptoms. It's a germy time of year and I feel safe saying most people are feeling a bit under the weather right now so your symptoms could range from a virus to pregnancy to another condition that only a doctor can diagnose.
Before you call your doctor, go ahead and take a pregnancy test at home, that way you have more information to share with your doctor.
Hey guys ive never been pregnant before. I had sex last actually about a month ago. I haven't done a test yet didnt want too. Im feeling very weird i mean by that is i have been having a very dry mouth almost like im dehydrated but im not very very sleepy to where im at work dragging horribly. No nausea or puking but also been having dizzy spells when i squat at work and get back up. Bad lower back pain lots of bloating where i look pregnant. Just all around a weird feeling. Someone tell me plz whats happening.
- Author
Elizabeth, you are TOTALLY freaking yourself out. I answered your question in the Q&A section, but I'm pretty certain you're not pregnant.
I "messed around" but did not have penetrative sex 2 days before my expected period. My period arrived on the day it was expected but was unusually short and light and I didn't cramp very much which is unusual. I am also on birth control. Is there any way I could be pregnant since I am on birth control and there was no penetration? I feel like i have had some pregnancy symptoms but might just be freaking myself out. Thanks!
On December 14 2017was my last period a month a half later I found out I was pregnant on February 12 2018 I had a miscarriage bleed that whole one week after the bleeding stop me and my husband had sex and haven’t yet received my period plus I been taking over the counter prenatal vitamins and took about 6 pregnancy test out of the first two were negative than the other 4 were positive with the faint line and now it’s the end of March so do this mean that i’am pregnant.
I’ve been on my birth control pill for a year and like four months now this previous week I missed my pills I had a lot going on and forgot to take them for 5 Sydney straight I regularated myself back to normal but I’ve been really hungry lately and when I woke up this morning my nipples were really sensitive and when I wasn’t cooking I couldn’t stand the smell of the meat could I be pregnant I don’t start my period for almost week and a half but also in the time I forgot to take my birth control pills I had unprotected sex and he came in me what are my chances I’m pregnant....
THANK YOU I WILL TAKE ANOTHER TEST THIS WEEK BUT MY DATES ARE CRAZY BECAUSE I ACTUALLY HAD MY PERIOD TWICE IN THE MONTH OF FEB. AT THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF THE MONTH BUT ONE WAS SUPER LIGHT AND THE OTHER WAS REALLY HEAVY
- Author
DK, I'm a little unsure of your dates but since you're late for your period I would take another test! I have friends who didn't get an accurate result until they were at least a week late for their period.
If the test is still negative, then it's possible you are actually sick and that that delayed ovulation (and caused your period to be late).
Regardless, if your hands and feet are still swollen you should call you doctor and let them know about that symptom.
My period was April 20- March 3rd. I have irregular periods I've tried various birth control I had started new birth control on april 20th but it kept making me bleed more so I had stopped taking them. Which i hadn't had birth control in two months. After I stopped takign them my boyfriend and I decided to try to concieve. On the 20th of march I started having nausea,cramps,swelling of hands and feet, dizziness,lower back pains, slight constipation in which the nausea and cramping I usually start getting before my period comes on with some uterus pain(the shedding) but I didn't experence the pain at all. My boyfriend has been kind on and off sic with headaches too. I'm now 5 days late. i took a test when i was 1 day late it was negative. but i'm still having symptoms should i wait until next week to take another test or go to the doctor
- Author
Hi, Kia! It looks like you also asked this question in the Q&A so I'm going to answer it over there for you. If I'm mistaken and that wasn't you please let me know and I will make sure to respond here too!!
I been having cramps , nausea , and shortness of breathe , and extreme lower back pain , joint and muscle pain , and pain on my lower right side and it then went to he left lower side of my stomach , can I Be pregnant ? Last year I was exposed to a std (ghonarea) back in October can that be the reason why I can’t conceive concieve ? And I’m not on birth control and don’t use protection with my partner .
- Author
Amar, I said "people I know who use the withdrawal method have never gotten purposely pregnant" when what I meant to say is that they've never gotten ACCIDENTALLY pregnant.
I should probably stop responding to readers while I'm drinking my morning coffee and wait until that stuff sinks in.
- Author
Amar, I'm so sorry you're feeling anxious about this.
The first thing you should know is that (according to Planned Parenthood) the withdrawal method, when done right is 96% effective in preventing pregnancy. To put that in perspective, hormonal birth control is stated to be 99.9% effective. There's a margin there that suggests withdrawal isn't the safest method for preventing pregnancy, but the odds are still in your favor.
Anecdotally, I know more than one person who ended up pregnant on birth control while the people I know who use the withdrawal method have never gotten purposely pregnant. That's not scientific, but hopefully it's comforting.
So, now to your dates. According to those, you could start testing on Monday, March 26 and get a pretty accurate result. Is there a chance you could have gotten pregnant? Yes. Is it a good chance? It's not a GREAT chance because you did use a method of birth control (albeit one that takes a lot of precision).
Since you don't know exactly when you ovulated, I would take a deep breath, attribute that frequent urination to PMS symptoms (I get that) and take a test on Monday morning to calm your nerves.
Putting this in perspective WORSE CASE SCENARIO is you did get pregnant. In the scheme of life that's not the worst thing you could have done and even though unplanned pregnancies are scary there are a lot of resources out there to help you figure out the past path for your life.
Best case scenario (and the most likely), you didn't get pregnant but you might want to look into birth control options that leave you feeling confident. I love the website Bedsider(dot)org because it's really in-depth about every birth control option available and it also helps you find where and how to get that birth control (and goes over the pros and cons of each one).
Good luck, Amar! You've got this, no matter what!
I had un protected sex 4 days ago (March 16) I have been feeling normal but today I am especially anxious and worried if we did not get it out on time (which I think we did) also have been peeing a little more frequently. I use the MyCycles app, my average cycle is 32 according to the data I have entered into the app. My ovulation window says it was from march 8 to march 14. My previous period was on feb 24 until march 2. And my next period is supposed to be march 29, although somethimes comes a few days before or after what the app says. Am I worrying too much or is there a good chance I could have gotten pregnant?
- Author
Hi Tina! If I were you I would hold off on a test.
Go to CountDownToPregnancy(dot)com and use their pregnancy test calculator to put the date of your last period and your average cycle length into the calculator. It's really handy and will tell you when the best day for you to take a test is.
- Author
Lucille, it's possible that instead of a period you actually experienced implantation bleeding (IB). Some women have it and others like myself, never experienced it! Since your last period was abnormal, I would go ahead and take a pregnancy test right now. If it comes back clearly negative then keep track of your symptoms and if they persist let your OB know.
Some women also experience ovulation sickness - it can cause you to feel pretty awful during your fertile week as you prepare for, begin to, and end ovulation. This is thanks to a hormonal surge that happens when your egg is released.
Definitely don't hesitate to call your doctor, especially about the shortness of breath. They could even administer a pregnancy test at their office.
- Author
Hi Mercy,
These symptoms, especially headaches and back pains are very normal during menstruation. Dizziness is also a common symptom for some women during their period (including me).
It's possible that you deal with anemia during your menstrual cycle which would mean the iron in your blood is low. This is a pretty simple fix - I take a multivitamin that also has iron in it and that helps me to control the headaches and dizziness.
If your period seems abnormal to you or you feel like these symptoms are indicative of implantation bleeding and not a period then you might want to call your OB and let them know what's going on. They're period experts!
Normally my period heavy from day one to three and from day four it light to day seven. This month, day one was light, day two was heavy and from day three to five my period was light. According to my app I'm ovulating in two days, I'm constantly tired, and can sleep all day. I'm constantly light headed and can't walk to the gate of the complex without getting out of breath. My boobs sore on the side that I can't even wear a bra. With certain smells I can't take and can smell certain things from a mile away. Could I be pregnant?
Hi, I last had sex few days after my period, 6 days after sex I’m feeling really sick, with back pains, feel like vomiting, mouth taste, I just feel like I’m pregnant already,,, can I do the home test? Even though my period is 5 days away?
- Author
Hi, Daneshia. I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Your symptoms could be early signs of pregnancy or symptoms of a virus or some other issue that would need to be addressed by your doctor. My best advice is to wait until a day or two before your period is due to start testing so you can get reliable results.
If your symptoms persist or get worse, definitely call your doctor.
Hi i had unprotected sex two days before i ovulated and a day after i ovulated a week later im feeling like im finna faint my head spinning and it feel like i gotta throw up what can be the issue
I have a sex just before my periods and I also take contraceptive pill just after the next day of penetration and till now I didn't get my periods. Can I get pregnant??
implantation bleeding. It helps that I'm super in touch with my body, and with my cycle.
I was Spotting on the 10th day after my ovulation and before my period. I’m 10days delayed right now. I took pregnancy test 3times but the result was negative. Do you have any idea whats happening?
- Author
Hi, SE!
According to your dates, I think it was too early to test and get an accurate result. I don't know your exact dates (like when you usually ovulate, how long your luteal phase is, etc.) but for an average cycle you shouldn't start testing until Saturday, March 10th with the highest rate of accuracy beginning on Tuesday, March 13th.
I hope you get the answer you want and if you don't and you feel ready to try for a baby, I would recommend tracking your ovulation. That will help you with the timing!
Hello, I started my period on February 12 and I had unprotected sex with my husband on the 15th and the 18th, and I got off my period on the 18th. I have been having bloating, slight sore throat in the morning, constant nausea, everything I smell makes me sick to my stomach, I have had slight cramping, and my breast feel larger. I am really exhausted and really moody for no reason. I took a pregnancy test on Tuesday but it was negative, I was kind of disappointed, I figured i should wait to see if my period comes and re-test, what do you think?
- Author
Hi, Alisha! It doesn't necessarily mean you're not pregnant, but what it could mean is that you were experiencing symptoms of ovulation which can certainly mimic early pregnancy symptoms since ovulation causes a surge in hormones.
Ovulation happens, usually, about halfway through our cycle. That is, around two weeks after the start of your last period and two weeks before the start of your next period. That's why you can have yucky pregnancy like symptoms halfway through your cycle that disappear as you near your period.
I am experiencing pregnancy symptoms and now that I’m getting closer to my cycle time not so much what does that mean
Hi am little confused this is my second month but I don't feel any sign of period or ovulating don't know what to do last month my period came 40 days late this is my 13 month and not pregnant yet how to know about period or ovulating without any pain or anything because I don't feel anything
Kierstin, I seen you comment, but I wasn’t sure of how to find where my question that I asked was, lol. I seen other questions but not mine, but thanks so much for getting back to me!
- Author
Hi, Taylor! I will go find it and answer it right now. It should send you a notification/email that I've responded but if not you can just check back and see.
I posted a question up above, I have never been on a website and asked questions before, but I didn’t know how I could find a response if I did receive any? Thanks!
- Author
B, nothing is more confusing than pregnancy dreams! I've had them and I always wake up like "Uhhhh..."
I'm not sure of your age but perimenopause can start as early as our 30's which can lead to skipped periods, among other things. It's also possible that your body just randomly skipped ovulation last month.
The symptoms you're describing do sound like ovulation (especially pain on only one side), so it's possible your body is gearing up for your next menstrual cycle to start within the next two weeks.
Since you don't usually skip periods, if you miss this next one (depending on your cycle averages) I would call you OB or GP and just let them know what's up. Missing periods isn't uncommon and not generally a sign of a serious issue, but it can be a sign of a really treatable issue that you might want to address.
Sorry you're dealing with this, it's really annoying to not know what your body is doing!
My expected period date was Feb. 6, 2018.. Til now I haven’t got it. And the last time I had unprotected sex was last month Jan. 16, 2018. I took 2 PT in the morning and both came back negative. But I have been cramping a lot on my right side (it comes and goes), tired all the time, eating more than usual, very moody, tingly and weird sensation in stomach and people telling me that my boobs look bigger. Idk my body just feels weird/off and I haven’t missed my period like this in years. But the past couple of months my period has been a day or two late which I usually get my period exactly on the expected date on my period tracker. And just last night I had a dream that I felt and saw the babies little feet kicking and moving in my stomach but I didn’t know I was pregnant. It was really weird cus that’s all I remember of my dream.
- Author
Jasmine, congratulations! What day of your cycle did you end up getting your positive result?
- Author
Lexi, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your son.
It's understandable that you're skeptical if your symptoms are true symptoms or just wishful thinking.
Personally, before I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter I felt flu like symptoms and experienced cramping in the early stages of all of my pregnancies. It was confusing though because I did find out I was pregnant with my first during flu season as we're in right now.
I know that a lot of people will tell you to wait to take a test until your period is late, but I think that in your case, the more days you wait, the more miserable you're going to be. If you're four days out (or closer) from the day your period is due, I would start testing in the morning with a regular First Response so that you can have an idea of what's going on either way. I wouldn't test earlier than that because I don't think you'd get an accurate result though and it would just add to the emotional roller coaster.
My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant again we lost our son and are ready to try again and we’ve been trying and it feels like it did the last time I got pregnant but I don’t know if that’s because I’m wanting to get pregnant I’m having like a crampy sick throw up feeling and keep getting headaches and feel like I have the flu ?
very helpful.. thanks to the author..
- Author
Hi K! I'm sorry it's taken me two days to respond, I was away from my computer this weekend.
I put your dates into a pregnancy test calculator and in theory you should have been able to start testing on Tuesday, February 6th with an accurate result.
However, I don't completely trust pregnancy timing calculators OR period apps. I was using a period tracker all of last year and it was constantly telling me I was late because it would make sweeping adjustments if my cycle was one or two days off.
How are things now? If your cycle is still MIA then I think it would sound to take another home pregnancy test. If THAT one is coming up negative then I'd just put a call in to your OB or GP and tell them what's up. They may offer a blood test. I have a friend who sometimes can't get a positive until she's at least 6 weeks along and personally when I was pregnant with my second I had a start negative one day and stark positive two days later!
Good luck and I hope that you get the answer you want :)
- Author
Hi, May. How are you feeling today and have you taken a pregnancy test yet?
What you describe can certainly be symptoms of pregnancy, however they are also indicative of an infection so I would call your doc and ask if you can come in to have a urine test done to check for pregnancy as well as urinary tract infections.
- Author
Neek asks "Hello Author, I had sex unprotected sex on the 27th of January . I do not remember when my last period was but I do remember i had a period in Decemeber (25th- beginning of January) , I just recently had sex again on the 3rd of Feb ... I am worried and I need help . I do not think I missed my period because it sometimes irregular. What do you think ? HELP!!!!"
Hey Neek, sorry I had to edit some of your comment but I have to be careful with my spam filters here. I did read your whole comment though :)
My best advice, since you have an irregular cycle is to take a pregnancy test and go from there. Because you can't depend on your dates, taking a test every six weeks isn't an altogether bad idea.
- Author
Hey AntifaKitten - First, you need to take a very long deep breath and remember that just because you're feeling sick doesn't mean you're pregnant. It's flu season and there's a good possibility that you're just sick right now.
But, if you ARE pregnant everything is going to be okay and feeling terrified is completely normal. Right before I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter I was 23-years-old, underweight, taking a semester break from college and had just quit my job. I was dealing with a bad anxiety flare up and we were living with my parents. By all standards I was 100% NOT ready for a baby but at the same time I desperately wanted one. I'd been feeling dizzy for about a week to the point where I was having trouble walking but I was too scared to take a test. My husband went out and bought one and threw it at me and told me it was time to take it, lol but I was so scared to confirm what I already knew because I was so scared I would be the world's worst mother and fail my child in every way.
Five years later I can say with confidence that not only am I pretty darn good mother to my daughters but that the act of becoming a mother helped give my life a direction and purpose that it sorely lacked before them.
At the risk of offending a lot of people I'm just going to say that many people, no matter their age, do not feel they "have their lives together" before they have kids. Some do. But I think that babies help light up the path.
The other thing I want to add is that age doesn't always have a lot to do with a healthy pregnancy. I was pregnant at 23 and 24 with my daughters and had hyperemesis gravidarum with both, which is not a good recipe for a healthy pregnancy. Both of my children were born very healthy (and still are)! I have friends of "advanced maternal age" who had much better pregnancies than I did.
All of this is to say, you're not alone and whatever you find out from that test you will be able to handle, even if it's just one day at a time.
I have been terrified for the last several days that I may be pregnant. I have PCOS & my cycle typically begins heavy with massive clotting and dark red and brown blood. It lasts up to two weeks at a time. For the last four days, I have experienced incredibly light bleeding, so light, in fact, you could more accurately describe it as a light pink discharge. I have had awful headaches, fatigue, back pain, diarrhea and constipation (no regular bowel movements), frequently running to make peepee, and my BF thinks that I have been a real BIT-EI-EI-O . I Don't know if I'm psyching myself out but I'm definitely going to take a pregnancy test after having read up on the site here. Tomorrow. I've also said aloud several times the last few weeks "I stood up too quick...shew" after a quick bout of dizziness.
I'm honestly scared to death right now. I'm 36 years old and have no children thus far and I am afraid that I am too old and too set back to maintain a healthy pregnancy and even too. Old and in an unstable point in life to have a child. Up until now, we have tried for a year and a half to conceive, but now I feel as if I am scared and may not be a great. Parent or be able to offer my child everything in life they may deserve. I'm not sure how my age old body is going to hold up during pregnancy. Please send prayers and good luck vibes to the Virgin baby maker.
My period according to my app is 5 days late I took two pregancy tests yesterday and one on Sunday both negative my last period was January 8th (start) I’ve been feeling
Tired lazy (started today)
Odd times I’ll get sharp pains in my hips / boob they will last for a couple seconds and go away.
My boobs look slightly bigger and darker to me but no constant pain
Dry lips
A warm fluttery feeling in my belly kinda around my belly button
Lower back pain
My sense of smell seems stronger
And certain foods I die for and need others I can’t eat it all or turns me off completely not so much nausea yet but sometimes I feel full and not hungry for hours
Odd headaches last week
No cramping
No signs of my period starting
No implantation bleeding
Could I be pregnant? If so when should I take another test to be certain???
Hi am having brown spotting my period late 11 days and today am having spotting after nausea and stomach cramps is this pregnancy my stomach feels uncomfortable
- Author
Hey Kaire! In my experience, stomach pain is not a typical sign of pregnancy, but stomach pain combined with nausea can be a sign of infection and infections and illness can delay your period. I would call your doctor today and ask to come in and have your urine checked for a UTI as well as a moment to go over your symptoms with your doctor.
If they suspect pregnancy they can also give you a simple blood test.
I hope you feel better soon!!
- Author
Hey Mary, I've heard of implantation bleeding or early pregnancy spotting mimicking a period. Have you taken a pregnancy test yet?
- Author
Ugh, Melissa, heartburn is AWFUL!! I get it pretty bad when I'm pregnant too.
I got heart burn which i only get when pregnant
- Author
Carmesha, I would definitely take a test!! You may be late for other reasons but if you're late because you're pregnant I think you're safe to get an accurate result at this point. I hope you get the result you want :)
Add Your Comment..my period is 6 days late should I take test
- Author
Caroline, I certainly hope you're feeling early pregnancy symptoms and NOT the flu!!
- Author
Hey Sofia, the dude sounds like a dud. Unsolicited advice, but I would definitely stop seeing him. If you are pregnant, you have a lot of big stuff ahead of you and if you're not, it doesn't sound like he's a great boyfriend to keep around anyway.
It's unfortunate you don't have one of those resources nearby! Your other option, if you're comfortable with it, would be to ask your school nurse for a pregnancy test. Some districts offer that.
Here's hoping you're able to get your hands on a test today and get some answers!!
- Author
Hello, Priscilla. Yes, it is possible IF your "period" was actually implantation bleeding or if you have ovulated extremely early in your current cycle. I don't think either of those situations is ultra common, however. To me, it sounds like you're actually coming up on your fertile window. Sometimes when we're ovulating, the increase of hormones associated with that ovulation can give us some goofy symptoms.
If you're not sure whether your last cycle was regular, go ahead and take a test right now. It's probably going to be negative, but on the oft chance that you mistook implantation bleeding for a period, a test would be positive by now.
If it comes up negative, wait to test again until you are at four days before your expected period, then begin testing once every 48 hours (every other day).
Good luck, I hope you get your BFP soon!
- Author
Hi Tiff! It's probably too early for you to get an accurate result on a pregnancy test. If I were you, I wouldn't start testing until Monday morning at the earliest because the closer you are to the day of your expected period, the more pregnancy hormone you would have built up in your body. If you're testing early (before your missed period) I would also suggest using a brand like First Response Early Response which tests for a lower amount of hormones. In early pregnancy, HcG, which is the hormone that at home pregnancy tests detect, double every 48 hours.
For now, I would certainly not worry about the radiation :) This early in the game, if you are pregnant, at most, you have a hardy little zygote.
Good luck, I hope you get your positive test soon!
- Author
Hi, Jenna. I'm sorry that you're not feeling well and also that you're having a hard time with your mom. It's not fair to be going through a complex situation and feel like you don't have support.
First, I would take another test. For a lot of women, myself included, we can end up with false-negatives. I did take a pregnancy test when I was pregnant with my second daughter and it came up negative! Two days later I took another one and it also looked negative but after a couple of minutes it developed and was clearly positive and here we are over three years later.
I always use First Response Early Result tests, I've just found them to be most reliable, so if you can get your hands on one of those, that's probably your best bet for an accurate result.
If it's still negative then I would just take a deep breath and let things happen. There's a lot of reasons a period can be late INCLUDING stress (dealt with this one myself more than once) and it sounds like you're probably dealing with some stress.
PMS symptoms can also mimic pregnancy symptoms, and before my own period is about to start it's not rare for me to feel out of breath and exhausted climbing stairs of buckling my kids into their car seats.
One thing I want for you to keep in mind though is that having unprotected sex five days ago and then missing your period sounds like a late period to me. I'm not a doctor, but just from my own experience with cycles, you likely weren't fertile five days ago. A great way to see a rough idea of how cycles work and when we're most fertile is to use the calculators on CountDowntoPregnancy (dot) com
When you take your test come back and let me know how things went! I hope you get the results you want!
- Author
Is she just having you wait until Friday? If she's just waiting until your dad's payday then I know it's hard, but I'd sit tight. That's just a couple of days away and pregnancy tests are expensive. But if she's actually refusing to help altogether (and since your partner isn't much help), I would contact a Pregnancy Care Center or a Planned Parenthood in your area.
He is just like my mom he is saying the same thing that probably I'd get it this week and my mom actually told me to wait till this month is over to see If i get my period or not and on Friday my dad gets paid so I'd see how I'd do it it's so tough!
- Author
Sofia, I'm sorry that your mom isn't helping you out with this. That's not cool - at all and as a mom to two daughters that makes me feel for you.
If you are unable to access a vehicle or money are you able to ask your partner to pick you up a pregnancy test? If he's worth his salt, he'll get his butt into Walgreens or Rite Aid, or wherever and find one.
If not, I would use Google to find a "pregnancy care center" or Planned Parenthood near you. Call them and let them know that you need a pregnancy test and just explain your situation to them. They are there to help you. Do these things and then update me and let me know how things went.
- Author
Hey, Khellinah! If I were you, I would take a pregnancy test four days before your period is due. If it's negative and you continue to experience abnormal bleeding definitely contact your doctor.
- Author
Hi, Gin! No, I personally don't think those symptoms are too early! I do think that it's too early to take a pregnancy test though. I would start testing four days before your period is due. If you get a negative, wait two more days and then test again.
- Author
Hi, Sara! It's probably too early to test. Even if you were pregnant it would be tough to get an accurate positive this early. I would start testing the morning of Sunday, January 28th.
236