So, you and your partner have decided to take the plunge and are trying for a baby: congratulations! Welcome to the first steps of the beautiful, exciting, nerve-wracking, and confusing journey of parenthood!
Now that you are actively “trying,” you may be wondering what are some of the first signs of pregnancy? Obviously, a positive pregnancy test is your best indication; however, there are other signs as well. These can include nausea, cramping, bloating, or a missed period. Of course, these symptoms can also be attributed to other conditions, even something as basic as stress.
If you are ever in doubt, just take a pregnancy test! You can buy cheap, accurate tests in bulk on Amazon, or you can get them at the dollar store. The best time to take a test is after a missed period, but more sensitive tests may be able to produce a positive a few days sooner. This will all depend on the strength of the levels of pregnancy hormone (hCG) in your body. If you test negative, try again in a few days, or until your period arrives. The hormone levels double every 48 hours, so don’t count yourself out until your period arrives!
Also, it is important that you start taking prenatal vitamins with DHA as soon as you start trying to conceive. These nutrients are important for supporting critical neural development that occurs in the early weeks of fetal development. By the time you get a positive pregnancy test, you will already be at least two or three weeks post-conception. So start taking those vitamins well in advance of that special day!For more information on early pregnancy symptoms, here is a helpful article from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/…/symptoms-of…/art-20043853Best of luck in your journey! We are happy to provide resources and to help answer questions you may have!