Key takeaways:
- The most common early pregnancy symptoms include a missed period, extreme fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness or changes.
- Pregnancy cramps usually begin a week before your period is supposed to start, while period cramps begin 1 to 2 days beforehand.
- Menstrual bleeding tends to be much heavier and can last up to 8 days. Pregnancy bleeding lasts only a few hours to 2 days and is a very light spotting.
- Most pregnancy symptoms that are more noticeable don’t start until 4-6 weeks after conception.
- The only sure way to know if you’re pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test after a missed period.
It can be hard to distinguish between pregnancy symptoms and symptoms that happen before you start your period. If you are getting close to when your period should start, waiting can add even more attentiveness to symptoms, which can cause more anxious thoughts.
Let’s look at some signs that can help differentiate between the two and give you peace of mind.
Am I having symptoms before a period or are they pregnancy symptoms?
Do pregnancy cramps feel like period cramps?
They can feel very similar, but there are a few differences.
Period cramps are usually more intense, radiating across your lower abdomen and lower back. They may continue throughout the length of your menstrual cycle.
Pregnancy cramps are milder, like a dull ache, tingling, or pulling sensation in your lower pelvic region. These cramps are usually less severe than period cramps and tend to come and go rather than last for days.
When do pregnancy cramps vs period cramps happen?
One key difference between early pregnancy cramps and period cramps is that period cramps usually begin 1 to 2 days before your period is supposed to start, while pregnancy cramps start about a week (6-10 days) before your period and tend to come and go for 1 to 2 days.
These pregnancy cramps are called implantation cramping, when the fertilized egg attaches in the uterus. Early pregnancy cramping may also be caused by uterine growth and increased blood flow in the pelvis. Hormonal changes can also cause bloating and gas that may feel like uterine cramps.
Why am I cramping but have no period?
If your period is pretty regular and you are experiencing cramping, but your period is late, there might be a high chance you are pregnant.
If you’re not sure when your period is supposed to start or it’s several weeks before your period, you may be experiencing cramping from ovulation. This typically happens around 14 days before your period. Stress, digestive problems, or other reproductive conditions could also be a cause.
What about bleeding from a period vs. Implantation bleeding?
Period blood usually starts brown, turning into a deeper red as the flow turns from medium to heavy. Menstrual bleeding can last up to 8 days.
When a pregnancy implants into the uterus some women experience very light pink or brown spotting that doesn’t require a pad or tampon. Sometimes only visible on toilet paper after using the bathroom. Implantation bleeding usually happens 10 to 14 days after ovulation, around the same time your period would start. It only lasts a few hours to 2 days.
Bleeding during pregnancy can be alarming, but it doesn’t always mean something is wrong. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to speak to your healthcare provider right away.
Other pregnancy symptoms to look out for:
Other early signs of pregnancy include:
- Tender or swollen breasts
- Extreme exhaustion
- Nipple changes
- Increase urination
- Nausea with or without vomiting
Most pregnancy symptoms that are more noticeable don’t start until 4-6 weeks after conception.
How can I know for sure if I’m pregnant?
The only way to be sure you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test after you’ve missed a period.
You might be eager to confirm a pregnancy and want to take a test right away, but timing matters. It is usually best to wait until you’ve missed your period to take a pregnancy test.
Some sensitive tests can be taken around 10 days after conception. Remember though, if you take a test before you’ve missed a period, it might be too early for pregnancy hormones to be detected.
If your test reads negative but you end up missing your period, take another test in a few days. Sometimes at home tests take even a few days after a missed period to show accurate results. In general, the best time to take a test is the first thing in the morning, this is when HCG (pregnancy hormone) is best detected.
Need to confirm if you’re pregnant?
Empower SAV™ offers no cost pregnancy testing. If you are far enough along, we also provide ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy’s located in the uterus and how many weeks pregnant you are. No insurance is required.