A late period may be the first thing that makes you wonder about pregnancy, but it is not the only possible sign.

Some women notice several changes early on. Others barely notice anything at all. And because many early pregnancy symptoms can also happen before a period or with other health conditions, symptoms alone cannot tell you for certain that you are pregnant.

If your period is late or you’ve had a positive home test, schedule a free appointment with Gateway Women’s Care for a lab-quality diagnostic pregnancy test.

Keep reading to learn more about what symptoms to look for.

Your Period Is Late or Missing

For someone with normally regular cycles, a missed period is one of the more noticeable early signs of pregnancy.

However, periods can also be delayed by stress, illness, weight changes, changes in exercise, or hormonal conditions. If your period does not arrive when expected, testing is the best way to find out whether pregnancy could be the reason.

Your Breasts Feel Different

Hormonal changes in early pregnancy can make your breasts feel sore, swollen, heavy, or unusually sensitive.

You might also notice changes around the nipples or areolas.

Breast tenderness can happen before a period, too, so this symptom is more useful when considered alongside other changes.

You Feel Nauseated or More Sensitive to Smells

Pregnancy-related nausea is often called morning sickness, but it can occur at any time of day.

Certain smells or foods may suddenly bother you, and your appetite may change. Some women begin experiencing nausea within the first several weeks, while others never experience it.

You’re More Tired Than Usual

Early pregnancy can make you feel unusually tired, even when your schedule has not changed much.

Hormonal changes, including rising progesterone, may contribute to fatigue during the first trimester.

Other early symptoms can include frequent urination, mild cramping, bloating, and mood changes. None of these symptoms, however, confirms pregnancy on its own.

Testing Gives You a Better Answer

If several of these symptoms sound familiar, or your period is late, pregnancy testing can give you more useful information than symptoms alone.

Gateway Women’s Care offers a free, lab-quality diagnostic pregnancy test, and a medical professional will verify your result.

If your test is positive, a nurse can discuss your next steps with you. Depending on your circumstances, those may include receiving an ultrasound to learn more about the pregnancy.

If your period is late or a home test was positive, schedule your free appointment today to get started.