Before It Stopped: Pregnancy Symptoms before Missing a Period

There are times when you wonder whether you are pregnant even if there are no obvious signs of pregnancy, and your period isn’t due for a while anyway. The “wait until you miss it” advice is neither true, nor helpful, especially when it comes to women who have irregular periods. There are actually quite a few pregnancy symptoms before a missed period, despite the majority of pregnancies being confirmed at two or three weeks after implantation.

How to Know

The most important benchmark is body temperature fluctuations. The human body is astoundingly efficient in regulating its temperature through a delicate hormonal process. A sustained rise in body temperature as measured every morning is a very accurate indicator of pregnancy. Since very few of us keep meticulous records at the exact same time for extended periods of time, you should verify your records with your doctor.

Another pregnancy symptom before a missed period is frequent urination, since it occurs as soon as the first week of pregnancy. This is due to a combination of subtle hormonal changes and an enlarged uterus that presses upon the bladder.

Other Signs

The third sign, though admittedly more subjective than the other two, is tender breasts. The body’s adjustment to a breastfeeding regime that doesn’t start until ten months later is curiously speedy, but unlike lactation, a sore feeling can be due to many different factors other than pregnancy. Many women have unwittingly worn a wrong cup size for years on end, and suffer from wholly preventable back aches and sore breasts as a result. Needless to say, swollen and sore breasts by themselves do not a pregnancy make.

If you experience irregular periods, and were hoping to use this list to confirm your suspicions, your best choice of action would actually be a blood test. Pregnancy symptoms before a missed period is by and large a hit-or-miss affair, so when in doubt, consult a professional.