Whether you know you’re pregnant or just think you might be, you likely have tons of questions swirling around. At Sira in Gainesville, we help women get the answers they need throughout their pregnancies and beyond. These are some of the most common early pregnancy questions we encounter…
What Does Early Pregnancy Feel Like?
While pregnancy is different for every woman, there are early signs that most pregnant women experience. Pregnancy symptoms often include some combination of sore breasts, frequent urination, nausea and throwing up, aches and muscle soreness, difficulty breathing, tiredness and loss of balance. You may also experience abdominal cramping and menstrual spotting. Don’t mistake these for your period, especially if you experience them along with any of the other common signs of pregnancy.
Can a Home Pregnancy Test be Wrong?
Yes, home pregnancy tests can be wrong. While they can be relatively accurate when used correctly and after a sufficient amount of time following conception, they are not perfect. Home pregnancy tests may provide either false positive results (indicating you’re pregnant when you’re really not) or false negative results (indicating you’re not pregnant when you really are). The only way to know for certain if you’re pregnant is with a medical pregnancy test followed by a pregnancy confirmation ultrasound.
How Early Will People Notice I’m Pregnant?
Some women start experiencing pregnancy symptoms as early as five days post-ovulation. For others, it can be two weeks or longer. Most of these signs won’t be apparent to others unless they’re observant enough to pick up on related behavioral changes, like you needing to rush off to the bathroom more frequently. The most obvious sign you’re pregnant will be the development of your pregnancy belly or “baby bump.” For most women, the expansion of the belly begins to be noticeable around four months into a pregnancy.
Can Miscarriages be Prevented?
Sadly, not all miscarriages can be prevented, but there are steps you can take to help reduce the risk of miscarriage. Practicing good hygiene to prevent possible infections is a good place to start. Keep your distance from people who are ill and wash your hands regularly. You should also immediately quit smoking, drinking alcohol or taking any illegal drugs. Prescription drugs can also be dangerous, so talk to your healthcare provider about any prescriptions you take. Beyond that, take care of your body and your developing baby with a healthy, balanced diet and get proper prenatal healthcare.
What Does Proper Prenatal Healthcare Include?
Pregnancy is a delicate time for your body and for your developing baby’s. Prenatal healthcare should include regular medical checkups, including ultrasound exams, throughout your pregnancy to make sure you’re both healthy. You will also likely want to take some combination of prenatal vitamins to ensure you and your baby get the nutrients you both need. Folic acid, iron, iodine and calcium are particularly important. Your healthcare provider will provide guidance on the right vitamins based on your current health and medical history. Eating a proper diet is also key to helping you get the nutrition you need for a healthy pregnancy.
If you believe you may be pregnant, it’s important to know for sure as early as possible. At Sira in Gainesville, we offer free medical pregnancy testing and free pregnancy confirmation ultrasounds, with no insurance required.
To schedule your free, confidential appointment, contact Sira today at 352-377-4947.
