If you are feeling a little more tired or experiencing other unusual changes in your body, you might wonder if you could be pregnant.
There’s always a chance of pregnancy when you are sexually active. If you are, it is very possible you could be pregnant and not know it when you’re in the early stages of pregnancy.
The best way to verify a pregnancy is with a pregnancy test followed by an ultrasound. At Alpha Center, we offer no cost, confidential pregnancy tests as well as limited ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy.
Get the clarity you need: call or text us 24/7 at (605) 361-3500, or visit us at 3405 S. Kiwanis Avenue in Sioux Falls. You can also book your appointment here.
Why Pregnancy Isn’t Always Obvious
Not everyone has clear early pregnancy symptoms. Some women experience noticeable, dramatic physical changes due to hormonal shifts, while others have more subtle changes that can be mistaken for regular fatigue or a virus.
You may have heard of women not knowing they were pregnant all the way up till labor, and this is also known as a cryptic pregnancy. Cryptic pregnancies are rare but happen when nothing triggers you to believe you are pregnant.
You may even mistake implantation bleeding for your period, for example. Taking an at-home pregnancy test in this case is the first step to verify your pregnancy.
Some other reasons pregnancy goes unnoticed are due to irregular periods, minimal symptoms that come and go, and other physical changes, which could be due to stress or illness.
Signs & Symptoms of Early Pregnancy
Early pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some women have little to no signs or symptoms.
Some common early pregnancy symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Increased urination
- Breast tenderness
- Mild cramping
- A missed period
Pregnancy symptoms alone cannot determine whether you are pregnant since they are not reliable. For example, a missed or delayed period could be due to stress or other lifestyle changes, which can be mistaken for pregnancy.
Get Clarity with a Pregnancy Test
The most accurate way to know whether or not you’re pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test followed by an ultrasound. Pregnancy tests work by detecting hCG, a specific hormone produced during pregnancy, in your urine or blood.
You can take a pregnancy test one or more days after your missed period. If the test result is negative and your period still hasn’t arrived a week after, then you should repeat the test.
If you have a positive pregnancy test result, then the next step is to get an ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms how far along your pregnancy is and provides other essential details that affect your health and safety.
Take the Next Step With Alpha Center
Having an unexpected pregnancy can bring a range of different emotions, from excitement to anxiety. Alpha Center offers several confidential pregnancy services for women, from pregnancy testing to education and mentoring, as well as STD and limited ultrasound testing.
We offer confidential, lab-quality pregnancy tests and consultations. Our trained staff are here to review your results and answer any questions you might have about your pregnancy. We are here to support you.
Schedule a no-cost appointment online or by calling or texting (605) 361-3500.
We are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. You can also reach us on our website chatbox any day, any time.