To find out if you are pregnant you should get a pregnancy test, which you can buy from pharmacists and some supermarkets. Pregnancy tests can give you a result in minutes and can be done in private so nobody needs to know until you are ready to tell them.
There are some signs and symptoms that you can look out for which may hint that you are pregnant.
Signs and Symptoms
Some women intuitively know when they are pregnant, other women notice distinct signs and symptoms.
For women who have regular periods a missed period can be the most reliable sign of pregnancy, however this isn’t always reliable since some women experience bleeding during pregnancy - which can be mistaken for a period.
If you are using contraception which prevents periods then this method would obviously not work. Here are some other signs and symptoms of pregnancy:
- Tiredness - hormonal changes in a woman’s body during early pregnancy can cause tiredness
- Needing to pee more often than usual
- Constipation
- Sore breasts
- Feeling or being sick
- Metallic or strange tastes in mouth
- If you smoke, loss of interest in smoking
- Heightened sense of smell
- Change in vaginal discharge
- Going off certain foods
- Craving certain foods
All of these symptoms of early pregnancy can be caused by other health conditions, so to be absolutely sure you should get a pregnancy test.
Learn more about the pregnancy test.
Not sure you want to be pregnant?
If you’re not sure you want to be pregnant there is help and support available for you. As with all health care services, this can be kept private - if you are under 18 your parents don’t need to be informed.