Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a very exciting time in your life, but it is important to know that it comes with great responsibility(34). Bringing a child into the world is a lifelong commitment. You will need time, energy and resources to be able to properly care for and support your child as they grow and develop(34).

Signs and Symptoms
Pregnancy Tests
Resources
Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, thinking about getting pregnant or want to learn more, it is always important to talk to a healthcare professional. They can provide you with options and resources that are specific to your needs.

Deciding to become pregnant is a big decision, but always remember that this is your body and your life and you will know what is right for you.

Signs and Symptoms of a Potential Pregnancy

Early Pregnancy Sypmtoms

Sometimes, pregnancy symptoms may be similar to symptoms experienced with a period. The only way to confirm that you are pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test(36)

Store-bought pregnancy tests are a great way to determine if you might be pregnant.

You should see a healthcare professional if you test positive and would like to discuss your options with your pregnancy, or if you test negative but have missed your period and are experiencing symptoms. You would want to find out if you are pregnant or not (37)

Some common symptoms to look out for include(36):
  • Morning sickness, or feeling nauseous
  • Your period being late
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Feeling bloated or constipated
  • Sore and tender breasts; breasts may feel more significant than usual
  • Moodiness
  • Frequent urges to pee
  • Feelings of dislike or disgust towards foods that you usually enjoy
  • Cramping and spotting – this could also indicate your period is coming/present, so it may not be the most reliable symptom

Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy Tests

If you missed your period, experienced any common symptoms, or had sex and believe that you might be pregnant, taking a test is an excellent way to check.

Pregnancy tests will check how much of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is in your pee. When this hormone is present in high amounts, it is a good indication that you are pregnant(37).

Best time to test:
The best time to test for a pregnancy is after a missed period. Some tests may be able to tell you if you are pregnant on the first day of your missed period or sooner, but to be safe, it is better to test yourself after your period should have finished(37). For example, if your period is supposed to come on March 3rd and you usually bleed for 5 days, testing on or after March 8th will give you more accurate results.

Tips for taking pregnancy tests(37):
  • Take the test first thing in the morning, before you go pee. This way, you have the most hCG present in your pee, because you have not released any from your body that morning.
  • DO NOT use a test if it is expired – it may not give you the correct result
  • Follow all directions provided with your specific pregnancy test. Each test is slightly different. There are testing strips and sticks – these may display results differently, may require different lengths of time before they display the result, and may collect the sample in different ways
  • Stay calm and relaxed.

If you are unsure of your pregnancy test result, testing again in a few days may be a good option. Otherwise, your healthcare provider can test a urine or blood sample and discuss potential causes of the symptoms you are experiencing.

Resources

To learn more about pregnancy and what to expect when pregnant, take a look at the links below

INDIA SPECIFIC RESOURCES:

CANADA:

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, or need any help, it is always best to talk to a qualified healthcare professional.

  • 34. Planned Parenthood. Considering pregnancy [Internet]. [place unknown]: Planned Parenthood Federation; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. Available from: [LINK]
  • 35. The Times of India. 8 common pregnancy myths busted [Internet]. [place unknown]: Entertainment Times; c2022 [updated 2017 May 3; cited 2022 Jan 22]. Available from: [LINK]
  • 36. Healthline. Raised body temperature during early pregnancy [Internet]. [place unknown]: Healthline Media; c2005-2022 [reviewed 2021 Sep 23; cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: [LINK]
  • 37. Health Link BC. Home pregnancy tests [Internet]. British Colombia: Province of British Colombia; c2021 [reviewed 2020 Feb 11; cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: [LINK]
Resources