10 Reasons Why You Should Take A Pregnancy Test

Cynthia was too busy to be pregnant.

In fact, she just couldn’t be. It didn’t matter that she had missed her last period or she’d started to doze during those long, boring meetings at the office.

All that matters is that she just couldn’t be pregnant.

Or Could She?

Many women consider a missed period and/or morning sickness to be the hallmark of being pregnant.

However, there are other signs to look out for.

In this article, we’ve compiled 10 of these ‘other signs’ for you. They should prompt you to consider doing a pregnancy test.

1. FATIGUE

Most women tend to get tired faster during the early stages of pregnancy.

This is caused by increased production of a certain hormone called Progesterone. In addition, pregnancy causes the heart to work harder as it pumps more blood to send necessary nutrients to the growing baby.

2. MOOD SWINGS

Pregnancy comes with a lot of hormonal changes.

Sometimes, these hormones affect your mood. Most pregnant women claim to have started experiencing sudden mood swings as early as the first week of pregnancy.

3. WEIRD FOOD CRAVINGS

Many husbands dread this part.

Sudden food cravings are quite common throughout pregnancy. In some cases, it is even difficult to eat a meal that you craved for just minutes ago. Certain food cravings can even last all through the period of pregnancy.

4. TENDER/SWOLLEN BREASTS

This symptom can arise as early as the second week of pregnancy.

The hormonal changes during this period can make the breasts sore, swollen or even ticklish. In many women, the breasts feel heavier or fuller.

5. Headaches

Of course, no one likes this.

Once again, the hormones released during pregnancy can result in periodic but annoying headaches.

6. Slight Bleeding

This is different from the usual menstrual bleeding. In this case, the blood is slightly lighter in colour than menstrual blood.

The slight bleeding that occurs in the early stage of pregnancy is called Implantation Bleeding; this happens when the developing baby safely attaches to the walls of the womb.

7. Frequent Urination

Has the need to pee suddenly tripled?

You probably need to conduct a pregnancy test. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, the pressure to urinate increases drastically. This is caused the action of a pregnancy hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HcG).

8. Morning Sickness

Nausea or Morning Sickness usually begins in the 2nd or 3rd week of being pregnant. It is also important to note that this feeling of nausea or irritation can be experienced at any time of the day.

9. CRAMPS

Again, the hormones are responsible.

Rapid hormonal changes in the first few weeks of being pregnant sometimes result in mild cramps. Although they are not as intense, women often write them off as the regular menstrual cramps.

10. VAGINAL DISCHARGE

During pregnancy, there are noticeable changes to this normal process.

Some women begin to notice an increase in the volume of vaginal discharge as soon as they get pregnant. Most times, this discharge is clear or milky white.

Eventually,

Cynthia bought a regular home pregnancy test kit from a nearby pharmacy. Within minutes, she confirmed that she and her long-term partner were indeed expecting a baby!

Although these symptoms are closely associated with early pregnancy, they can also mean something else. In some cases, they may result from stress, medication change or lifestyle modifications.

If you really think you’re pregnant, the smartest option is to actually conduct a pregnancy test.