Am I Pregnant?

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Am I Pregnant?

Signs of Pregnancy

• Missed period: A missed period is usually the most common sign of pregnancy, but some women continue to have light periods even when they are pregnant. A missed period does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. Often periods are irregular or absent altogether due to stress, illness or other factors. If your period is late or if you have only light spotting at the time your period is due, continue using birth control and have a pregnancy test as soon as possible.
• Nausea: Some women feel sick to their stomach in the morning, but so-called "morning sickness" can happen at any time of the day. Some women do not experience morning sickness at all.
• Dizziness, fatigue or sleepiness
• Peeing more often
• Increased vaginal discharge: Vaginal discharge changes during pregnancy. A greater amount of clear or white discharge from the vagina is normal. If you notice yellow, clumpy, smelly, or itchy discharge, see your doctor since this may be a sign of infection or a sexually transmitted disease. Pregnant women are more susceptible to yeast infections.
• Breast Changes: Some women experience a 'tingling sensation' or a feeling of tightness in the breasts. Nipples may become very sensitive. Breasts usually get bigger during pregnancy and the dark area around the nipples (areola) usually gets darker and bigger. Fluid (colostrum- yellowish and watery) from the nipples may begin to appear as early as the 11th week of pregnancy.

How to get a pregnancy test

If you think you might be pregnant, it is a good idea to have a pregnancy test, whether or not you wish to continue the pregnancy. Urine tests can usually detect pregnancy from the first day of a missed period.

In certain situations where it is important to confirm pregnancy before a missed period, a doctor can order a blood test that can detect pregnancy about 5 days before a missed period.

A pregnancy test kit detects human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant there is HCG in her blood and urine. If you have a test done and the result is negative (not pregnant) but you still suspect you are pregnant wait a week and repeat the test. A negative result could mean that the test was done too early in the pregnancy or the urine was not concentrated enough. Urine from first thing in the morning is most concentrated and should be collected or tested then.

Pregnancy tests and pregnancy options counseling are free and confidential at Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon. Pregnancy tests are also available through walk-in clinics and family doctors. The Public Health Birth Control and STD Clinic also provide free pregnancy tests. Home pregnancy test kits are available at drugstores and many supermarkets.

How many weeks are you pregnant?

A pregnancy is calculated as 40 weeks starting from the FIRST day of your LAST menstrual period. This is because most women know when their last period began but not exactly when an egg was fertilized.

For Example: If your period started on February 1st and you have a positive pregnancy test on March 8th you will be 5 weeks pregnant.

If you are pregnant...

If you are faced with an unplanned pregnancy you have three options:

• Continue the pregnancy and parent the child
• Continue the pregnancy and make adoption plans for the child
• End the pregnancy (abortion)

Some women know almost immediately what they will do once they discover they are pregnant; for others the decision isn't so clear. Although ultimately the decision is yours to make, there are various agencies and services that are available to offer information and support in choosing the option that is best for you.

The following list of questions is intended to get you thinking about some of the issues you might want to keep in mind while making your decision. Answer these questions as honestly as you can, they might help you to clarify some of your feelings regarding the options available to you.

Questions to consider...

How do you feel about being pregnant?

• Do you know what your three options are? How much information do you know about your three options?
• Do you have any religious or moral beliefs that will affect your decision? How important are these beliefs compared to your other values and goals?
• What are your future plans? How will they be affected by each of the three options?
• What is your financial situation? How would it be affected by each of the three options?
• Do you know about help available to you in the community such as financial, legal and counseling support?
• What is your relationship with the father of your baby? Have you discussed your options with the father?
• Will the father be supportive of your decision both emotionally and financially?
• Do you want your family and/or friends to have any input in your decision?

You may find that you are faced with pressure from your partner, family or friends to make a decision that they think is right. Listen to what they are saying but most importantly listen to your own feelings. You are the one who will be most affected by your decision.