Whether you are trying for a baby that is part of your family plan or may be having one by surprise, being able to confirm you are pregnant can be a big deal. While some women “just know” in an intuitive way, most of us rely on other forms of verification.
Physical Changes in Your Body
You may start to experience some physical changes in your body when about 3 weeks along. These can include:
- Missed period
- Back ache
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Bloating
- Sensitivity to smells
Unfortunately, most of these can also be attributed to other things, so while they may be evidence of pregnancy it’s best to also consider another method of verification.
Pee-on-a-stick (POAS) Pregnancy Test
This commonly used method tests urine for a hormone that is present after implantation. The tests have varied levels of sensitivity and the hormone increases with time, so testing very early may not be reliable. It is commonly recommended to test at around 3 weeks and then confirm with another test a couple weeks later.
Blood Test
Blood tests are more sensitive to the pregnancy hormone and can be considered accurate at the 3 week mark, but they are seldom used unless there is a medical concern involved.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound technology can show the gestational sac as early as 3-4 weeks, but most doctors wait until 4-6 weeks to recommend one unless there is a medical reason to do so before then. Ultrasounds are often performed throughout pregnancy and are a fun way to document the growth of your baby.
Doppler Heartbeat Detection
Verifying pregnancy by listening for a heartbeat with a Doppler machine (wand on the abdomen) is not reliable until some time between 8 and 12 weeks.
We encourage you to contact your doctor if you think you might be pregnant. They can provide accurate confirmation of pregnancy, support, and information that will help ensure a healthy pregnancy and good outcome.
If you don’t already have an OB/Gyn in the Orange County area that you love, please give us a call. We would love to support you and provide the healthcare you will need.
Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley, CA – (714) 486-1228
