How to Determine Pregnancy

Have you missed your period or feeling nauseated? It's possible you are pregnant. With a mixture of listening to your body's clues and taking advantage of the latest medical technology, you can determine for sure if you are pregnant.

Things You'll Need

  • Home pregnancy test
  • Obstetrician/gynecologist
  • Medical insurance
  • Ultrasound

Instructions

    • 1

      Look for the signs or symptoms of pregnancy. The most common sign is amenorrhea, or a missed period. Other signs include nausea and vomiting, soreness and enlargement of the breasts, increased urination, fatigue, backaches or headaches. You may just have a feeling you are pregnancy, which may be sign enough to get tested.

    • 2

      Take a home pregnancy test. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of pregnancy, you should purchase and take a home pregnancy test. You can buy pregnancy tests from your local drug store, grocery store or pharmacist. Read the directions before taking the test. Most home pregnancy tests require you to urinate on the “stick.” The pregnancy test looks for the hormone “hCG,” which stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The hormone is secreted by the developing placenta shortly after implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine lining. The test will give you a positive or negative result. Read the directions on the test to determine the end results of the test.

    • 3

      Call your obstetrician/gynecologist or certified nurse midwife. If you have a positive pregnancy test, call your doctor or midwife right away to schedule an appointment. If you took the test and got a negative result but feel pregnant, call your doctor or midwife and set up an appointment. Confirm with your doctor and medical insurance provider that your doctor is a participating provider and that the charges will be covered for the most part. At the appointment, your doctor will examine you and confirm that your uterus is the appropriate size for how far along you are in your pregnancy.

    • 4

      Confirm your pregnancy through the use of an ultrasound. Pregnancy can also be determined through the use of an ultrasound. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to detect fetal movement. A baby’s heartbeat can be detected as early as five or six weeks into the pregnancy.

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