Early Pregnancy Guide
Was that cramp from PMS or early pregnancy? Has my appetite changed or is that just in my head? Am I nauseous or just anxious? When can I take a pregnancy test? If you suspect you may be pregnant you have probably asked yourself all these questions and more. The first 6 weeks of pregnancy can be emotional and confusing. From trying to figure out if you really are pregnant or not, to waiting for your first doctors’ appointment, to navigating early pregnancy symptoms, it can be overwhelming. But the Life Center is here to help walk you through these first weeks and beyond.
Very early pregnancy symptoms (0-4 weeks) can be hard to spot because they often mimic PMS symptoms and are not very strong yet. You may experience cramping, light spotting, a change in appetite, tender breasts, fatigue or a sensitivity to certain smells.
Or you may not experience any notable symptoms at all. Women often do not realize they have had any symptoms until they miss a period. Once you have missed a period it is time to take a home pregnancy test. By this time there is enough pregnancy hormone in your blood and urine to show up on a test. The Life Center provides free stick pregnancy tests to make this step as easy as possible.
Once you have a positive at home pregnancy test it is time to make an appointment with an OBGYN to confirm your pregnancy. If you take a stick test with us, we can also help you make this appointment. It’s important to remember that while stick tests are generally reliable, they are not 100% accurate and cannot confirm that your pregnancy is viable. It is important to see a doctor to make sure everything is okay with you and the baby. They will typically make your first OB appointment for 6 to 10 weeks gestation. If you get a positive stick test when you were supposed to start your period, you are about 4 weeks along. This means that you may have several weeks in between finding out you’re pregnant and seeing a doctor. So what do you do in the meantime?
Firstly, don’t panic! We can help guide you through this early stage of pregnancy with video classes and peer support. You are not alone in this, we are here for you. Secondly, keep track of how your body is feeling and any symptoms you start to have. Symptoms should get more pronounced the further along you are in pregnancy. This can be uncomfortable, but it is a good sign that your baby is growing. Some symptoms may include, nausea, changes in appetite, sore breasts or nipples, light cramping, spotting or fatigue. Keep in mind that every woman and every pregnancy is different.
You may experience all, a few, or non of these symptoms in the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. Typically, after 6 weeks you will start to experience more pronounced symptoms.
What should you do during early pregnancy before you see your OB for the first time? It is important to take good care of your body. Drinking a lot of water, eating healthy foods, getting moderate exercise like walking all help support your body as it works hard to grow a baby. Avoiding things that can be harmful to the growing baby is also important. Things such as smoking or vaping, drinking alcohol, having too much caffeine, eating highly processed foods, or foods with a lot of sugar, can harm your baby as it grows and develops. If you experience severe cramping or heavy bleeding call your doctor immediately.
We know that finding out you are expecting a baby can be overwhelming. There is so much to learn and do. Your body is changing rapidly, and you are dealing with uncomfortable symptoms all while preparing to care for the new human life your body is creating. The Life Center is here for you. We can teach you everything you will need to know about pregnancy and taking care of a baby. We can also help you get the supplies and baby items you will need.
