This article was co-authored by Lisa Shield and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Lisa Shield is a love and relationship expert based in Los Angeles. She has a Master's degree in Spiritual Psychology and is a certified life and relationship coach with over 17 years of experience. Lisa has been featured in The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, LA Times, and Cosmopolitan.
There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Maybe your girlfriend’s feeling a little funky, or you just have a gut feeling that something is off. Could pregnancy be the cause? One thing’s for sure: pregnancy is never an easy topic to bring up, no matter how long you’ve been together. Try not to panic, though. While talking with her and having her take a pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure if she’s pregnant, there are plenty of verifiable symptoms that can help you figure out what’s going on.
Steps
Missed period
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The hormone changes of pregnancy cause a woman’s period to stop completely. You probably don’t know the ins and outs of your GF’s period, and that’s okay! Chances are, she’s mentioned it off-hand in a conversation before, or you’ve noticed her stashing some extra tampons or pads before an outing or trip. If she hasn’t mentioned her period in over a month, there’s a chance that she missed it completely.[1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- These are good clues to watch out for, but they aren’t irrefutable proof that she’s pregnant. Some women like their privacy and may not share any details about their period when it comes around.
- At the start of a pregnancy, a woman may “spot,” or lightly bleed from her vagina. This is easy to mix up with a regular period, but it’s actually a key sign of a successful pregnancy.[2] X Research source
Morning sickness
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Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of a starting pregnancy. Better known as “morning sickness,” these unpleasant symptoms tend to flare up in the early weeks of pregnancy. If your GF seems to be getting sick without any rhyme or reason, morning sickness might be the cause.[3] X Research source
- “Morning sickness” is actually a misleading name, since pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting can happen at any hour of the day.[4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- You might say something like, “I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well, babe. Do you think it’s a stomach bug or something?”
Repeated bathroom trips
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Pregnant women have to pee frequently at the beginning of their pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman’s body creates extra blood, which gets processed through her kidneys. This extra blood leads to extra waste, which turns into extra pee. If your GF seems to be taking way more bathroom breaks than usual, there could be something else at play.[5] X Research source
- Keep other factors in mind, too. For instance, your girlfriend might head to the bathroom a little more frequently if she just chugged a glass of water.
Tender breasts
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Pregnancy-related hormone changes may cause her breasts to feel sore. The next time you and your girlfriend get together, see if she complains about her chest feeling a bit sore or tingly. Just keep in mind that tender breasts are also a common side effect of periods, too.[6] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Headaches
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Big hormone shifts in early pregnancy can lead to nasty headaches. The occasional headache isn’t anything to worry about, but frequent headaches could signify something bigger in the works. Try to count how many headaches she has in a week, and see if that number is higher than usual.[7] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- In addition to headaches, hormone changes can cause some pregnant women also feel a bit lightheaded.
- Keep in mind that headaches are really common and can mean a lot of different things. If headaches are the only real change you notice in your GF, pregnancy probably isn’t the cause.
- You could say something like, “Wow, you’ve had a lot of headaches this week. Are you feeling okay?”
Tiredness
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Increased hormone production leaves women feeling extra sleepy. During pregnancy, a woman’s body produces a ton of progesterone, which causes her to feel pretty exhausted. With this in mind, see if your girlfriend feels more tired than usual, or if she takes more naps than she typically does. [8] X Research source
- It’s important to note that fatigue is a really common side effect that’s connected with a variety of different health issues, like anemia, stress, and anxiety disorders.[9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Bloating
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An uncomfortable bloating feeling can be a sign of pregnancy. As you spend time together, see if she complains about having a stomachache or something similar. Bloating usually happens during the early weeks of pregnancy, so it’s a good warning sign to look out for.[10] X Research source
- Bloating on its own isn’t necessarily a pregnancy sign. Some women also feel bloated right before their periods begin again.[11] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Feeling hot
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Pregnant women feel warmer on a day-to-day basis. During pregnancy, a woman’s body naturally makes more blood, which causes her blood vessels to get a little wider. This forces the blood near the skin’s surface, making her skin feel a little hotter than usual.[12] X Research source
Moodiness
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Pregnancy-related hormone changes may impact her overall mood. Pay close attention to how your girlfriend acts around you. Is her mood pretty consistent, or does she get moody for no apparent reason? While the occasional bad mood is no big deal, frequent mood swings could be a cause for concern.[13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Food cravings
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Some women crave random foods when they’re pregnant. There’s no real rhyme or reason to this, and there’s no consistent food that women crave, either. Some might prefer sweets, like ice cream, candy, and chocolate, while others prefer more savory foods, like fish. See if your GF starts eating a certain type of food more than normal–that could be a sign that’s something up.[14] X Research source
- Pregnancy cravings can also involve really weird food combos, like cheese-wrapped pickles.[15] X Research source
Food aversions
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Random foods might seem completely disgusting. Some foods become completely unappetizing to pregnant women, with coffee, tea, spicy dishes, fatty dishes, eggs, and meat being common offenders. If your GF suddenly doesn’t want to eat foods she normally likes, it could be a sign of something bigger.[16] X Research source
- Food aversions alone definitely aren’t solid proof of pregnancy. For example, she might not be in the mood to eat eggs and toast, but that doesn’t mean she hates eating eggs all of the sudden.
Smell sensitivity
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Pregnant women are often extra sensitive to different smells. Whether you’re cooking, enjoying takeout, or lighting a scented candle, see how she reacts to a variety of scents. Pregnant women tend to have a more potent sense of smell, and may comment when something smells a little strong.[17] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- There isn’t a lot of scientific evidence to back this up, but many pregnant women agree that it’s true.[18] X Research source
- You might say something like, “Your sense of smell is way better than mine. I never would’ve noticed that if you hadn’t said something!”
Metallic taste
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Certain women get a metallic taste in their mouths when they’re pregnant. Wait and see if your GF makes any comments about how her mouth tastes like a bunch of nickels and dimes. While this “metallic” taste test isn’t conclusive evidence of pregnancy, it is a fairly common side effect among pregnant women.[19] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Pregnancy test
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An at-home pregnancy test is the best way to confirm if she’s pregnant. These tests work their magic by testing urine for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that’s only produced during pregnancy. Sit down with your girlfriend and see if she’d be comfortable taking one of these at-home tests. Explain to her that you’ll both have more time to think about and weigh your options if she takes the test early on.[20] X Research source
- Pregnancy tests are sold at pharmacies and most big-name retail stores.[21] X Research source [v161948_b01]. 15 September 2021. Some tests cost less than $5.
- It's best to take a pregnancy test in the morning.[22] X Research source [v161948_b01]. 15 September 2021.
- Your girlfriend can either dip the test in a cup of your urine or use an eyedropper applicator to draw up the urine and put it on the designated area on the tip of the test.[23] X Research source [v161948_b01]. 15 September 2021.
- Let your girlfriend know that you love and support her and that the decision to take a pregnancy test is completely her decision. You might say, “I know that this is really scary, but you’re not alone in any of this. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you 100%.”
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References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant
- ↑ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
- ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-morning-sickness
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375254
- ↑ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/signs-and-symptoms-of-pregnancy/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant
- ↑ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/fatigue/basics/causes/sym-20050894
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/pregnancy-symptoms
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/water-retention/art-20044983
- ↑ https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=49904dd7-4251-4650-a311-9c2f79ab4c1f
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant
- ↑ https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/food-cravings-during-pregnancy
- ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/intermountain-moms/2016/10/why-pregnancy-can-make-you-have-weird-cravings/
- ↑ https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/appetite-changes-and-food-aversions-during-pregnancy
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/signs-and-symptoms-of-pregnancy/
- ↑ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00067/full
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/pregnancy-symptoms
- ↑ [v161948_b01]. 15 September 2021.
- ↑ [v161948_b01]. 15 September 2021.
- ↑ [v161948_b01]. 15 September 2021.
- ↑ https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/swelling-during-pregnancy/
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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