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How can you tell if you are pregnant. Early signs of pregnancy. According to basal temperature

You can find out whether a woman is pregnant or not in different ways - both with the help of signs, and with the help of soda or iodine. If you can determine the first symptoms of pregnancy, carefully monitor changes in the body, know some folk signs, then it is quite possible to do without a test.

The main signs of pregnancy: changes in the body of a woman at an early stage

From the moment of successful fertilization, the woman's body begins to radically rebuild in order to create favorable conditions for the development and maturation of the fetus (for example, the quantitative ratio of hormones, metabolic microelements changes).

All biological organ systems undergo changes:

  1. Endocrine. This biological system changes in the first place, because from the moment of conception there is a qualitative change in the glands responsible for the production of hormones (for example, an increase in the thyroid gland). Some hormones begin to be suppressed (for example, luteinizing hormone), while others are actively produced (prolactin, human chorionic gonadotropin). A sharp change in hormonal production, in turn, changes the functioning of organs of other systems (nervous, reproductive, digestive).
  2. Sexual. The genital organs rapidly begin to increase in size from the moment of fertilization. The uterus provides additional space for the maturation of the fetus, the breast is prepared for the start of the lactation period. A fertilized egg causes amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).
  3. Nervous. Hormonal shifts have a serious impact on the functioning of the nervous system, the excitability of receptors and the reception of impulses are rebuilt. The female body in a sense becomes "inhibited", which reduces the negative impact of stressful situations and other conditions. The nervous system now primarily responds to impulses coming from the fetus, the rest of the signals fade into the background.
  4. Digestive. This system from the moment of conception provides nutrients not only to the woman, but also to the growing fetus. In accordance with these conditions, lipid metabolism and other types of interaction of substances are modified, the muscles of the stomach and intestines undergo changes (hypotension appears). All this leads to the appearance of toxicosis in the early and late periods of gestation.
  5. excretory. The kidneys and other organs with an excretory function need to do a double job: remove the metabolic products of the developing fetus and the mother herself from the body. This leads to the fact that additional fluid appears in the body of a pregnant woman (excessive excess fluid leads to edema and a state of preeclampsia).
  6. Respiratory. This system must provide the fetus with sufficient oxygen. The intensity of the respiratory process increases by 30-40%. A woman can feel this process as an increase in breathing.
  7. Musculoskeletal. From the moment of conception, the bone apparatus begins to prepare for the birth process: the pelvic bones move apart. The center of gravity also shifts. Joints receive an additional load, become painful.
  8. Leather. Changes in the work of the pancreas, adrenal glands lead to external changes in the skin:
    • the appearance of age spots;
    • the presence of scars (stretching) on ​​the chest, abdomen;
    • increased hair growth;
    • the appearance of imperfections (pimples, blackheads).
  9. Cardiovascular. This system is responsible for providing the fetus with enough oxygen. Significantly increases the volume of circulating blood. The heart works with increased intensity, in the later stages it even deviates to the left from its usual location. A woman may feel signs of tachycardia, and physiological abnormalities of the heart rhythm may be noted on the cardiogram.
  10. Immune. Alien genetic information (genetic data of the child's father) is perceived by the body as something "foreign".

The protective reactions of the body are activated, manifested in the form of the following symptoms:

  • chills;
  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • allergic reactions;
  • general weakness and malaise.

Delayed period as a sign of pregnancy

How to find out if you are pregnant or not without a test - for this you can carefully monitor the course of the menstrual cycles. The main symptom that suggests pregnancy without using a test is the absence of menstruation. However, this symptom does not always indicate the progressive development of the fetus.

Reasons for the absence of menstruation, except for the onset of pregnancy:

  1. Irregular bleeding patterns.
  2. Various diseases of the genital organs:
    • endometriosis;
    • polycystic ovaries;
    • uterine myoma.
  3. Contraceptive drugs.
  4. Taking other drugs based on hormones.
  5. Miscarriage.
  6. Medical Interventions:
    • abortion;
    • diagnostic procedures;
    • scraping;
    • operational activities.
  7. postpartum period.
  8. The period of puberty.
  9. Changes in the body associated with the onset of menopause.
  10. Intense physical activity.
  11. Influence of stressful situations.
  12. A sharp change in climatic conditions.
  13. Pathological change in weight.
  14. Intoxication states of the body.

How to find out if you are pregnant or not without a test, daily measurement of basal temperature will help

To clarify the fact of pregnancy in the absence of menstruation, it is necessary to exclude all of the above factors and contact a gynecologist, as well as carry out additional diagnostic measures: testing, ultrasound examination, testing.

How to determine pregnancy by basal temperature

How to find out if you are pregnant or not without a test - for this you can measure basal temperature. Diagnosis of pregnancy based on this indicator is recognized by medicine, the method is based on changes in body temperature during the menstrual cycle and the onset of pregnancy.

Table of temperature variations by cycle period:

The main rules for conducting diagnostics:

  1. For the most accurate analysis, it is necessary to record measurements daily for several cycles. It is most correct to enter readings in a table or graph, while noting the current period of the cycle.
  2. Measurements can be taken as follows:
    • rectally (preferred method);
    • vaginally;
    • orally.
  3. Diagnostics should always be carried out in one chosen way.
  4. For measurement, it is necessary to use the same thermometer (since different instruments may have different errors).
  5. The procedure is performed only after a long sleep (preferably at night, at least 6 hours).
  6. The measurement time should not change.
  7. The duration of temperature measurement is 5 minutes.
  8. The data is entered into the table immediately after the procedure.
  9. It is necessary to take into account possible factors affecting the change in basal temperature:
    • inflammatory diseases;
    • medicines;
    • stressful conditions;
    • physical exhaustion;
    • a sharp change in climatic conditions;
    • the use of drinks containing alcohol;
    • the difference in the time of fixing indicators;
    • using a different thermometer.

The correct use of this method allows us to draw the following conclusions:

  • diagnose the onset of pregnancy;
  • determine the date of ovulation, identify the days most suitable for conception;
  • identify the presence of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system;
  • determine the pathological course of the onset of pregnancy.

How to find out about pregnancy by subjective feelings

The changes that occur in the female body from the moment of pregnancy are felt differently by each woman (for example, severe toxicosis or its complete absence).

Some subjective sensations that may indicate the onset of pregnancy:

  1. From the digestive system:
    • nausea;
    • vomiting (especially in the morning, most often after waking up);
    • increased appetite;
    • lack of appetite;
    • change in food preferences;
    • heartburn;
    • bloating.
  2. From the nervous system:
    • headache;
    • unstable mood;
    • emotional swings (tearfulness, joy);
    • dizziness;
    • drowsiness;
    • insomnia;
    • pain in the back, legs.
  3. From the reproductive system:
    • increase or decrease in sexual desire;
    • heaviness and tension in the pelvic region;
    • tingling in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe uterus;
    • breast swelling;
    • darkening of the nipples;
    • soreness of the mammary glands
  4. From the immune system:
    • general poor health;
    • manifestation of colds;
    • the appearance of fever;
    • feeling of chills;
    • allergic reactions;
  5. From the excretory system:
    • feeling of fullness in the bladder;
    • increased urge to urinate;
  6. From the endocrine system:
    • change in taste sensations;
    • smell changes.

Some other individual symptoms of pregnancy:

  1. Bloody discharge from the genital tract.
  2. Exacerbation of various chronic ailments (for example, hemorrhoids, colitis).
  3. Increased salivation.
  4. Thrush.

Each of these subjective signs can confirm the presence of pregnancy, but is not an unambiguous confirmation of this condition.

Definition of pregnancy on the stomach

How to find out if you are pregnant or not without a test - for this you can carefully examine the condition of the abdomen. The uterus grows gradually with the onset of pregnancy, so in the early stages it is impossible to determine a successful conception by the size of the abdomen. But the changes taking place in the female body concern not only the reproductive organs, but also other systems.

For example, the digestive organs (stomach, intestines) undergo changes since the moment of hormonal changes: they swell a little, change their peristalsis. As a result, a woman may experience symptoms such as bloating, increased gas formation, constipation, and abdominal tension.

There is also a specific way to diagnose pregnancy in the abdomen - to feel for a distinct pulsation in its lower part.

Step-by-step instructions for this diagnostic:

  1. Take a horizontal position: lie on your back, stretch your legs straight.
  2. The surface on which the woman is located must be flat and firm.
  3. Correctly determine the place where the pulsation should be probed. To do this, you need to step back from the navel down by 6-7 cm.
  4. Gently press on this place with the palm of your hand or several fingers.
  5. Determine the presence or absence of rhythmic pulsation.

This method is quite subjective. Based only on this method, it is impossible to judge the onset of pregnancy with certainty.

Folk ways to determine pregnancy

How to find out if a woman is pregnant or not without using a test - for this you can rely on popular beliefs. These methods are not related to medical practice and are characterized by a low percentage of reliability of the results. Such "tests" should not be taken seriously, they are more suitable for entertainment purposes. from the category: matched / did not match; guessed/not guessed.

Video on how to find out about pregnancy using folk methods:

Examples of folk methods for diagnosing successful conception:

  1. Urine test on flowers. Principle: it is necessary to water houseplants daily with urine and draw conclusions. Rapid growth, lush flowering signal the onset of pregnancy.
  2. Vegetable bulbs. Principle: Plant bulbs of the same plant in two different pots. Provide the same care. Guess which plant will indicate a positive result. See which bulb will rise faster and reach a height of more than 3-4 cm.
  3. Dreams. Principle: it is believed that dreams with clear water, calm ponds and other water objects can mean the birth of a new life for a woman. Also, fish have similar meanings (no matter what, the very content of sleep and the actions that occur in a dream with the object itself also do not matter).
  4. Hair and wedding ring test. Principle: The ring is tied to the woman's hair. Then the hair must be raised above the abdomen. The swinging of the ring indicates a successful conception. The feedback is considered negative.

How to find out about pregnancy by a drop of iodine

How to find out if you are pregnant or not without a test - for this you can use the usual solution of iodine.

Step-by-step instructions for diagnosing pregnancy with a drop of iodine:

  1. Take a sterile container for collecting biomaterial.
  2. Collect morning urine in a volume of 100-150 ml in this container.
  3. Drop 1 drop of iodine solution into a container with urine.
  4. Analyze reaction:
    • the substance mixed with urine - a negative reaction;
    • the substance retained the form of a drop and went to the bottom - the reaction is positive.

The second way to diagnose:

  1. Collect biomaterial in a container.
  2. Dampen a sheet of paper or paper towel (napkin) with urine.
  3. Drop iodine onto the area to be tested.
  4. Rate reaction:
    • Brown color - the reaction is negative.
    • Violet, lilac, lilac - the reaction is positive.

Some principles of the test that affect the correctness of the study:

  1. Urine should be collected in the morning.
  2. Test carried out after 30 min. after collection of urine, is considered invalid.
  3. The collection container must be sterile.
  4. The iodine solution must be opened immediately before analysis.
  5. It is necessary to check the suitability of iodine.
  6. Factors affecting the correctness of the study should be excluded:
    • inflammatory diseases;
    • the use of medicines.
  7. It is necessary to drip iodine carefully, from a small height. It is best to use a pipette.

You can conduct a study after the alleged conception, without waiting for a delay in menstruation.

How to determine pregnancy using a home test strip

Step-by-step instructions for determining pregnancy using a home test strip:

  1. Get a pregnancy test. The indication test can be different:
    • by type (strip strip, tablet and others);
    • sensitivity (determination from the first day of the absence of menstruation or even before their delay);
    • price category (from 30 to 500 rubles, depending on the characteristics).
  2. Check the suitability of the purchased product.
  3. Carefully read the instructions for use that came with the device.
  4. Open the test device without damaging the integrity.
  5. Perform the interaction of the test with urine in the manner indicated in the instructions.
  6. Wait for the time specified by the manufacturer.
  7. Rate result:
    • indication values: "||", "+", "yes", "pregnant", "pregnant", "yes" - the result is positive.
    • indication values: "|", "-", "no", "not pregnant", "not pregnant", "no" - the result is negative.

Manufacturers guarantee the reliability of the method by 90-99%. As a rule, errors can occur as a result of incorrect execution of the study.

Possible reasons for the incorrect result:

  1. Expired period of use.
  2. Damaged test.
  3. Deviation from the principles described in the attached manual.
  4. Diseases that cause hormonal imbalance.
  5. The use of drugs with a hormonal composition.
  6. Incorrectly chosen period for the study.

How to find out about pregnancy with baking soda

Step-by-step instructions for conducting a soda-based diagnostic test:

  1. Fill a sterile container with the first morning urine (the volume of the biomaterial should be about 200 ml).
  2. Add a teaspoon of soda to the container with the test material.
  3. Analyze the reaction taking place in the vessel.

Variants of the reaction flow in the container:

  1. Urine began to foam, hiss, boil. This reaction indicates the absence of pregnancy.
  2. No noticeable reactions occur in the liquid, soda precipitates. In this case, we can judge a positive fertilization.

The principle of this test is not based on the hormonal composition of urine, but on determining the acidity of the liquid. It is believed that a violent reaction is an indicator of the usual acidic environment in the urine. The appearance of a precipitate indicates a decrease in acidity.

Reasons that may affect the reliability of this method:

  1. Eating acidic foods (such as lemon and some other citrus fruits).
  2. Colds.
  3. Lack of certain trace elements in the body (for example, potassium).
  4. Improper functioning of the urinary system.
  5. Intense physical activity;
  6. Diabetes.
  7. Refusal to eat meat.

Benefits of using this diagnostic:

  1. Availability.
  2. Ease of implementation.
  3. Conducting a study immediately after a possible conception.

The main disadvantage of the method is the high probability of an unreliable result due to various external factors.

How to find out if a woman is pregnant or not without using a pharmacy test - many methods are used for this, but one should not forget that the results obtained must be confirmed by laboratory tests and examination by a specialist.

Article formatting: E. Chaikina

A useful video on how to determine pregnancy without a test

Video about the first signs of pregnancy:

Very often, pregnancy becomes a surprise, both for the woman herself and for her environment. Some, on the contrary, plan a pregnancy for a long time and listen to all the changes in their body, sometimes wishful thinking. Our infographic will tell you how to accurately determine pregnancy in the early stages.

pregnancy symptoms

Well, of course, based only on the symptoms, it is definitely impossible to determine pregnancy. Although they may suggest doing a test. Consider the main symptoms in more detail:

1. Sensitive breasts. Within a few days after conception, a pregnant woman may notice the first changes. Nipples become more sensitive than usual. This also applies to the rest of the chest. But not always sensitive breasts are a sign of pregnancy. Similar sensations can occur during ovulation or before menstruation.

2. Delayed menstruation. One of the main signs indicating pregnancy, but not 100 percent. Perhaps you are experiencing climate change, hormonal failure, or gynecological diseases. This is a serious symptom and it is better to consult a doctor. However, a delay of no more than five days is considered the norm. It can also happen that you are pregnant, but your period continues to go. Here you can only advise: after unprotected intercourse, listen to your body and take a pregnancy test.

3. Frequent urination. It is one of the symptoms of pregnancy. But it can also be a symptom of illness, hypothermia, stress, etc.

4. Darkening of the areola of the nipples. It usually happens no earlier than two weeks later. However, darkening can be caused by the influence of sex hormones in a non-pregnant woman.

5. Increased salivation. As a rule, it appears with nausea in the first three months of pregnancy. Also, salivation is a characteristic symptom in almost all diseases of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and even with inflammation of the trigeminal nerve.

Types of tests

Any symptom characteristic of pregnancy may be a harbinger of a disease. Therefore, you need to listen to your body, but on the basis of symptoms alone, you should not diagnose yourself. Moreover, medicine has long allowed women to determine pregnancy with an accuracy of up to 100%. For a more effective result in the early stages, you can donate blood for the pregnancy hormone hCG (chorionic gonadotropin). Every day of pregnancy, the amount of this hormone in the body increases, but at very early stages only very sensitive tests can catch it. Pregnancy can be determined by the level of hCG in the blood within a few days after conception.

If you cannot go to a medical institution for one reason or another, then home tests will help. Of course, a few days after conception, such a test will not show anything. All tests for the determination of hCG in the urine should be done no earlier than a week before the onset of menstruation. The cheapest test strips will show a valid result only from the first day of delay. More expensive tests - inkjet or tablet, can determine pregnancy just a week before critical days. In general, in order not to guess on coffee grounds - is it too early to take a test, or is it time already - you need to know some values. Such home tests have a sensitivity of 10 to 25 Mme/ml. So the smaller the number, the more sensitive the test. For example, a ten test can show pregnancy as early as four weeks. What a week you can have - it's easy to calculate, you need to remember the first day of your last menstruation - this will be the starting point.

Test results

Any pregnancy test can show both false positive and false negative results. False-negative results are associated, as a rule, with incorrect testing, violation of the instructions. Or too short a pregnancy. It may be that the second band is weakly expressed. This is possible if you took the test before the expected delay, or if you have an ectopic pregnancy. False positive test results are rare, but possible. It can occur due to taking medications containing hCG, tumors, a recent miscarriage, etc.

Ultrasound will show the most accurate result. It will confirm pregnancy and help rule out an ectopic. You can do it no earlier than 3.5-4 weeks after conception. If you do not know when the conception occurred, then you can count about 5-6 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation. Before this time, there is no point in going to the ultrasound. It is better to consult a gynecologist, and he will prescribe the necessary examinations in the early stages of pregnancy.

A pregnancy test that responds to an increase in the concentration of hCG in the body is one of the most accurate and affordable ways to self-diagnose. But due to various circumstances, a woman may be interested in how to find out if she is pregnant or not without a test. Such a need is associated with various factors - the inability to check hCG in the coming days or simply the desire to verify the results of the tests. We will talk about how to find out about pregnancy and on what principles popular "folk" methods are built.

Am I pregnant or not: what happens in the early stages?

Preparation for conception begins from the first days of the cycle. While menstruation is going on and the uterus “sheds” the old endometrium, the dominant follicle matures in the ovaries. From it, on the days of ovulation, and it falls normally in the middle of the cycle, an egg is released - mature, healthy and ready for fertilization within 12-36 hours. If at this time she meets with a spermatozoon, an embryo is formed when the male and female germ cells merge. A day after the connection of the oocyte and sperm, it will begin to divide and at the same time move into the uterine cavity. After 3-5 days, implantation starts, when the chorionic villi slowly grow into the endometrium. This process gives rise to many biochemical and physiological changes in a woman's body. They are regulated by different hormones - estrogen, estradiol, progesterone, androgens. Each of them has its own function, and their action affects the well-being of the expectant mother. It is with this that methods are associated that suggest how to understand if you are pregnant without a test.

What happens in the body at the beginning of pregnancy?

Main symptom

The main and most obvious sign of pregnancy is the delay in menstruation. If there was sexual intercourse 2 weeks before her, then even in the absence of any indirect symptoms, we can say that there is a chance of conception. Many other factors also cause a delay - stress, increased physical activity, a sharp loss or, conversely, an increase in body weight, illness, anemia. Deviations within 7 days of the usual cycle length are considered normal. If after 7 days from the expected date of the onset of menstruation, menstruation does not begin and it is not possible to conduct a test, you need to consult a gynecologist to check for pregnancy and exclude diseases of the reproductive system.

How to know that I'm pregnant by basal temperature

For those who want to know how to determine that a girl is pregnant without a test, a simple and scientific method - measuring basal temperature (BT) can be useful. It is measured rectally, using a thermometer with a flexible rubber tip, always in the morning - immediately after waking up, at the same time. The principle of this method is associated with proven patterns of changes in BBT in different phases of the menstrual cycle. So, from the beginning of menstruation, the temperature slowly decreases, reaching a minimum on the eve of ovulation, when the dominant follicle matures in the ovary. In the luteal phase, during which a mature and ready for fertilization egg is released, BT rises sharply to 37-37.2 degrees Celsius. If the oocyte and sperm have not joined, then 36-48 hours after ovulation, BBT will begin to gradually return to normal levels. If conception has taken place, the basal temperature will remain above 37.1-37.2 degrees - this is how the body creates optimal conditions for preserving the embryo, moving it into the uterine cavity and implantation.


High basal temperature in the second half of the cycle is one of the symptoms of pregnancy

This method will give the most accurate results if a woman has kept a basal temperature chart for at least 2-3 months, knows the approximate days of ovulation and indications for each phase of the menstrual cycle. But even if such studies have not been conducted, high BT in the second half of the cycle, and even more so - on the days of delayed menstruation, should be a reason for taking a test, donating blood for hCG and visiting a gynecologist.

Pregnant or not: subjective feelings

How can you know if you are pregnant or not? First of all, you need to pay attention to changes in well-being. They are associated with strong changes in the hormonal background and the adaptation of the body to new conditions of functioning. Simply put, part of the protective functions of the body perceives the embryo implanted in the uterus as a foreign body, a kind of threat that needs to be disposed of as soon as possible. At the same time, the reproductive system works in a diametrically opposite direction - it tries to stop the protective reactions so that the embryo gains a foothold in the endometrium and begins to receive nutrients for normal development. Such a “conflict of interest” in one way or another affects the condition of the expectant mother, and some of its changes can make a woman ask the question - “Am I pregnant or not?”


Nausea in the morning is a typical early sign of pregnancy.

The most obvious early and common symptoms are:

  • nausea - toxicosis can manifest itself in the form of an urge to vomit already in the first days of delay, and in some women even before it, in the absence of direct causes like food poisoning, nausea can be a sign of conception;
  • malaise in the morning - this symptom, as a rule, accompanies nausea and manifests itself in weakness, the inability to quickly get up and get ready, unusual slowness, chronic fatigue or a lack of iron in the body can also cause it;
  • drowsiness - due to restructuring, the body begins to intensively save resources and energy, which is why a pregnant woman in the early stages may face an irresistible desire to sleep and rest in a prone position, even if her daily routine and lifestyle did not change;
  • spontaneous dizziness is another companion of early toxicosis, it can be caused by the formation of a new uteroplacental circulation and the associated increase in the volume of fluid in the body;
  • decreased performance - this symptom manifests itself in absent-mindedness, difficulty concentrating in the process of mental work, forgetfulness, which have not been encountered before;
  • a feeling of chills - due to the adaptation of the body to pregnancy, a woman may notice that she has begun to freeze all the time, regardless of the season, room temperature and clothes;
  • enlargement and soreness of the breast - even on the eve of menstruation, the breast becomes rough, but after fertilization, its sensitivity and volume change faster and in a larger range.

Subjective sensations often point to an "interesting position". Many of them are associated with the appearance of the so-called dominant pregnancy - a special focus of excitation in the cerebral cortex, which regulates various physiological and psychosomatic changes. How can you find out pregnancy without a test on them? The sense of smell changes most often and quickly - familiar smells become unpleasant, and some aromas can provoke nausea and loss of appetite for a long time. Sources of odors that cause negative reactions include meat and dishes from it, household chemicals, hygiene products, men's things, fats, some legumes and spices.


After conception, the perception of familiar smells may change.

At the same time or following the sense of smell, food addictions can also change - a woman begins to want to eat certain foods, even those that are rarely found in her diet. Thus, the body tries to find the source of the nutrients it needs. Such unusual “requests” should be listened to both during pregnancy and in everyday life. For example, the desire to eat sweets indicates a lack of magnesium and chromium, and cravings for inedible things (ice, chalk, etc.) indicate an iron deficiency.

The third sign by which you can understand whether you are pregnant or not is sudden changes in appetite. So, some women, due to early toxicosis, literally stop eating and lose up to 5-6 kg in the first trimester, while others, on the contrary, feel the need to eat for two.

How to understand by the stomach is pregnant or not?

Those who have had a chance to register at the antenatal clinic know that during examinations from the first days, the doctor, using gentle palpation, determines the increase in the uterus, assesses the location and height of its bottom. How to understand by the belly that you are pregnant? It is unlikely that it will be possible to do this on your own - the specialist has a special skill and experience that allows you to notice changes in the pelvic organs from the first weeks upon the onset of conception. Another thing - unusual sensations in the lower abdomen - there are bursting, pressure, some heaviness, extending to the sacrum and lower back, but there is no pain. Such symptoms are associated with the action of progesterone, which softens the ligaments and relaxes the muscle muscles, so that as the uterus grows, the organs can gradually move.


Is it possible to determine pregnancy by the stomach?

Another way to find out if a girl is pregnant or not is to feel for a pulse on her stomach - about 8 cm above the navel. If a pulse is felt, pregnancy is likely to occur. The results of such a “research” are explained by the fact that with the onset of implantation, the blood flow to the small pelvis increases and a “beat” appears above the navel. In any case, none of the folk methods can replace an analysis for hCG and an examination by a gynecologist.

How to determine that a girl is pregnant, folk methods?

Is it possible to check whether you are pregnant or not using folk methods? Such "tests" can be auxiliary, but by no means the main way to diagnose conception. Nevertheless, they are safe, do not require expensive materials, and therefore can be carried out at home without any restrictions.

drop of iodine

Urine should be collected in a transparent small container. Next, you need to drop iodine into it - just one drop. If it blurs immediately, gradually dissolving and losing intensity, then the conception did not take place. In a pregnant woman already in the early stages, according to this method, the urine is denser and has a special composition, so a drop of iodine will remain on the surface for some time.

Home test strip

This method is largely identical to the previous one. To perform it, you need to take a strip of clean white paper, moisten it with urine and apply 1-2 drops of iodine. The strip, upon contact with it, will turn colored, if it changes color to purple-pink - the test result is positive, pregnancy has occurred. The blue tint indicates the absence of conception.

Soda

This folk method, with which you can find out whether you are pregnant or not, relies on the fact that the urine of a woman in an interesting position changes composition. To conduct an analysis, you need to collect the biomaterial in a clean transparent container and put 1 tablespoon of baking soda into it - just put it, gently, without stirring. If soda just sinks to the bottom of the container - there is no pregnancy, if it gives any reaction, we can say that conception has occurred.


Am I pregnant or not?

Finally

Subjective sensations, changes in well-being can be caused not only by pregnancy, but also by many other factors - fatigue and stress, the results of a strict diet or, conversely, overweight, diseases and hidden pathologies. That is why it is impossible to take into account only them, trying to find out whether a girl is pregnant or not. Only checking the level of hCG using a pharmacy test or a blood test, supplemented by a visit to a gynecologist, will allow you to give an accurate and unambiguous answer about whether conception has occurred, whether the embryo has implanted in the uterus, and not in the fallopian tube, whether it develops normally.

The same applies to folk methods - in some cases, their result may coincide with the real one, but, again, the composition and density of urine may change due to problems with kidney metabolism, hormonal levels and other prerequisites. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of pregnancy, it is important to seek professional medical help as soon as possible.

Most women clearly feel the onset of pregnancy, but for some it comes as a complete surprise. In any case, it must be confirmed using certain methods, and it is important to know which of them are the most reliable. So how to determine pregnancy early?

Symptoms of pregnancy in a woman

There are a lot of reasons to determine pregnancy in the early stages. The most common of them:

  • planned pregnancy (first attempt or repeated negative result);
  • unplanned pregnancy (unprotected intercourse);
  • hormonal imbalance or other health problems that can cause regular delays in the menstrual cycle.

The first symptoms of the onset of pregnancy:

  1. Changes in the menstrual cycle: not only the delay and complete absence of menstruation, but also, for example, implantation bleeding - a condition when the embryo naturally takes root in the uterine wall of the uterus.
  2. Psychological and emotional states: a sharp change in mood, drowsiness or insomnia, decreased ability to work.
  3. Changes in appetite: total absence or unusual cravings for food.
  4. Early toxicosis: not only nausea and vomiting, but also dislike for odors.
  5. Frequent urination.
  6. Increased sensitivity of the breast, sometimes soreness of the nipples and a feeling of swelling of the mammary glands.

If at least one of the above symptoms occurs, you should consult a doctor to exclude various kinds of diseases.

At what time can pregnancy be determined

The accuracy of methods for determining pregnancy, first of all, will depend on its duration. Some of them allow you to determine pregnancy as early as 2 weeks from conception, while others require specific studies and a longer period. The most well-known methods to determine pregnancy in the early stages include: pregnancy test, measurement of basal temperature, blood test, ultrasound and pregnancy determination at home.

pregnancy tests

To begin with, let's designate their types: test strip, test cassette, electronic test, inkjet test. They differ in appearance, price, the result obtained, and, most importantly, its veracity. Of course, the term for determining pregnancy is the most reliable, according to most women, for electronic tests.

The principle of using a pregnancy test is the same and simple for all its types: in the morning, a girl needs to collect urine in a container and lower one end of the test into it for 10 seconds (or drop urine into a special hole). The pregnancy test works quite simply: the hCG hormone (which is released in large quantities in a pregnant woman) enters into a chemical reaction with the reagent on the test. If as a result 2 strips appear - pregnancy is confirmed, if one - the reaction is negative.

To be sure of the veracity of the information that the pregnancy test provided you, take it several times, compare the results. It is best if pregnancy tests are of different types and in different price categories.

The best time, according to doctors, is to take a pregnancy test 2-3 days after the delay. Then the reliability of the study will be maximum.

Pros and cons of different types of pregnancy tests:

  • test strips: pluses - availability, low price, the minuses include not always a reliable result. Especially if it is made before a delay or a poor-quality test with a small amount of reagent on it. The test is based on paper, so it must be stored under the conditions indicated on the package, otherwise the result may be erroneous;
  • test cassettes or tablets: the main disadvantage is the high cost. The principle of operation is the same as that of the test strip;
  • inkjet tests: advantages - very high sensitivity and reliability of the result, which arises due to its structure. The pluses also include the ability to do the test at any time of the day;
  • electronic test: able to determine pregnancy already for a period of 2-3 weeks from conception. The principle of operation is the same as for other tests, but the result is displayed not in the form of strips, but in the form of an electronic scoreboard.

Measurement of basal temperature

Usually this method is used by experienced women who know their menstrual cycle well: it is quite troublesome and not always realistic.

How does this method work? A woman needs to clearly know the duration of each of the 2 phases of her menstrual cycle (for example, for girls with a cycle of 28 days, each of the phases lasts 14 days). To determine pregnancy, it is the second phase that is necessary, when ovulation occurs.

A woman needs to measure her basal temperature within 16-18 days. This is done strictly in the morning, without getting out of bed, introducing a regular mercury thermometer rectally. During the second phase of the cycle (14 days), plus or minus 2-4 days, if the temperature is elevated, then the probability of pregnancy is maximum.

There is a big negative side of this method - its unreliability in most cases. There are a huge number of reasons for this: an incorrectly defined menstrual cycle, non-compliance with the rules for measuring basal temperature, etc.

Blood test to determine pregnancy

There are two types of tests that can detect early pregnancy. Their main plus is the definition of pregnancy before the delay. Let's designate them:

  1. HCG analysis. In the body of a pregnant woman, thanks to the placenta and the fetus, a protein complex (human chorionic gonadotropin) appears, which is responsible for a sufficient amount of hormones in the body. A fairly common nowadays way to determine pregnancy in the early stages. The reason for this is the high reliability of the result. In addition, this analysis can be carried out as early as 6-7 days after conception. This method is a blood sampling from a vein, the minimum time for its readiness is about 5 hours;
  2. Analysis for trophoblastic beta globulin. It is based on the study of venous blood for the presence of a specific hormone. This analysis can be carried out as early as 10 days after conception. It allows you to determine pregnancy at an early stage and its duration.

HCG should not be produced in the body of a non-pregnant woman. But there are certain health problems and circumstances (ectopic pregnancy, recently terminated pregnancy, taking certain drugs, oncology) that can cause it to appear.

Many girls strive to determine pregnancy as early as possible. This information makes someone happier and helps to give up bad habits, taking potent drugs, nightlife and other excesses in time. For others, it becomes a reason to immediately terminate the pregnancy.

Photo from mykaleidoscope.ru

You can find out whether fertilization has occurred or not by various methods. Some of them are based on accurate medical research, the other part is based on indirect signs or suspicions of the woman herself. Nevertheless, all methods have the right to life and are actively used by girls to confirm or refute the fact of conception.

Of course yes. There are women who even before the cessation of menstruation realize that they are pregnant. As a rule, girls who already have experience in bearing a child have such sensitivity. Someone's taste sensations and preferences change, others face increased oiliness of the skin and hair, and others develop hyperpigmentation or a scattering of freckles. True, these signs are very individual and not always reliable.

A more accurate definition of pregnancy is possible using various diagnostic methods. Some of them are easy to carry out on your own, for others you will have to contact a medical institution. The reliability of the latter, even in the early stages, reaches 99% and allows you to establish not only the fact of fertilization, but also the duration of pregnancy.

How many days after conception can pregnancy be determined?

Conception is the process of implantation of a fertilized cell into the endometrium of the uterus. It is from this moment that gonadotropin begins to be produced in the mother's body, which signals to all systems about future changes. First, it is found in the blood, then appears in the urine and begins to affect the well-being and appearance of a woman.

How many days after fertilization can pregnancy be diagnosed? As a rule, the first signs of conception (if it took place) occur on the 6-7th day, but only laboratory equipment can determine them. The woman herself is able to feel the onset of pregnancy only towards the end of the first month, but she can find out about an interesting condition much earlier.

Ways

Today, there are many ways to detect pregnancy even before the cessation of menstruation. It can be high-precision and reliable medical research or your own feelings based on changes in the body.

Test

The easiest, fastest and most affordable way to determine pregnancy at an early stage. Standard tests (cassettes, strips or midstreams) are impregnated with a special substance that reacts chemically with gonadotropic hormone (hCG) and changes the color of the indicator when urine enters.

The period at which pregnancy can be detected depends on the sensitivity of the test:

  • 10–15 IU/l - indicates a high sensitivity of the device. Able to give a reliable result 7-11 days after intercourse. This group includes HomeTest, Comfort and Frautest Expert tests.
  • 20–25 IU/l - refers to devices of medium sensitivity. It helps to determine pregnancy by urine only 2-3 days after the cessation of menstruation. The most accurate tests in this group are Evitest One and Clearblue Digital.

The electronic device shows not only the presence of pregnancy, but also the term of the "interesting situation". Such a test costs much more than standard strips, since replacement cartridges often come with it.

Women who do not use contraceptives during lactation are advised by obstetrician-gynecologists to carry out the procedure once a month. This will help to determine the next pregnancy in time and prepare for it or terminate it. If the test results are positive, it will not hurt to take additional tests.

Basal temperature

One of the popular methods for determining pregnancy. Basal temperature, which is typical for a state of complete rest, is measured using a conventional thermometer. Diagnosis is based on fluctuations in the hormonal background, which affect the readings of the thermometer and make it possible to detect the fact of conception at the earliest possible date. Unfortunately, this method is not highly accurate, since many factors can affect the correctness of the data.

Rules that will help determine pregnancy by basal temperature:

  • The procedure should be performed in the morning, before getting out of bed, preferably at the same time.
  • On the eve it is necessary to refrain from drinking alcohol, emotional overstrain, physical activity.
  • Measurements should be carried out over a long period of time. One-time observations will not give anything.

The thermometer during the procedure is inserted into the anus for 5 minutes. The data obtained is recorded and compared with the previous figures. Early detection of fertilization will help fluctuations in values ​​​​from 36.7 ° C at the beginning of the menstrual cycle to 37.0 ° C at the time of ovulation. If the temperature does not drop after the release of the egg, then pregnancy has occurred.

ultrasound

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An ultrasound study is based on the visualization of tissues using ultrasonic waves. The method is highly informative and completely safe for mother and child. Helps to accurately determine the presence of an embryo in the uterus at different gestational ages. If a transvaginal version of research is used, then diagnostic signs of pregnancy will be noticeable 1-2 weeks after the disappearance of menstruation. With the abdominal method, the doctor will be able to see a tiny fetus only 1–1.5 months after conception.

Ultrasound in the early stages is good because it allows you to determine not only the fact of implantation of the embryo, but also to find out the week of pregnancy by the diameter of the fetal egg and yolk sac.

Blood test for hCG

It is used for the earliest diagnosis of pregnancy. The study is based on the change in the level of the hormone depending on the gestational age. The determination of hCG is carried out in the laboratory, the girl can pass the analysis herself, without the direction of an obstetrician-gynecologist.

The hormone appears in a woman's body 5–6 days after implantation of the egg, so pregnancy can be detected using an hCG test as early as the first week. Based on the test results, a table is compiled that allows you to determine the gestational age.

In order for the determination of pregnancy by blood to give the correct result, one day before testing, you should refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking, physical exertion and overexcitation.

Blood test for TBG

Another reliable analysis that allows you to determine pregnancy at the earliest possible date. TBG or trophoblastic beta-1-glycoprotein appears in the mother's blood even earlier than hCG and from the first days protects the embryo from attacks by the immune system.

To pass the analysis, you will have to contact a private clinic, because due to the complexity of the implementation, not all municipal laboratories do it. Blood for diagnosis is taken from a vein; in case of oncology and gynecological problems, an analysis for TBG can give a false positive result. Normally, early pregnancy factor levels should be about 5000 ng / ml in the first week.

Gynecological examination

At about 5-6 weeks of gestation, you can go for a consultation with a gynecologist. An experienced doctor at this time can already feel the fetal egg and determine when conception occurred. But for more precise formulations, it is better to wait up to 7-8 weeks.

How does a gynecologist determine pregnancy? The technique is simple. First, the specialist asks the patient about changes in the state of health, is interested in the date of the last menstruation, and then examines the patient on the gynecological chair using a mirror and hands. In the early stages of pregnancy, you can already notice swelling and redness of the cervix, an increase in size and softening of the walls of the uterus itself.

Changes in the body

The main sign of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation on time. It is on this symptom that both doctors and girls first of all pay attention. But there are many other changes in the body, by which it is easy to determine the pregnancy itself:

  • nausea, aversion to food, sometimes vomiting;
  • pulling sensations in the lower abdomen;
  • spotting discharge without subsequent bleeding;
  • constant drowsiness, apathy, fatigue;
  • increased libido or its disappearance.

In 25% of women, appetite increases in the early stages, flatulence and bloating begin to torment. The sense of smell increases, tastes change, cravings for salty and sour appear.

It is very easy to recognize the beginning of pregnancy by the breast. The mammary glands increase in size, fill up, the areolas darken and become larger. Droplets of liquid secretion protrude from the nipples. Is it possible to determine pregnancy by the belly? Unlikely. The fetal egg at an early stage is so small that it does not affect the size of the uterus in any way and it is impossible to feel it on your own.

With the help of folk methods

Women are very curious creatures. How else to explain that with all the perfection of modern diagnostic methods, many girls are still happy to use folk methods for determining pregnancy.

For example, they make original test strips. To do this, a drop of iodine is applied to paper moistened with urine. If the color changes to blue, fertilization has not occurred. The appearance of a dark purple hue indicates a positive result.

It is possible to determine pregnancy at an early stage with the help of ordinary baking soda. It is added to a container with morning urine and the reaction is observed. If the urine began to bubble and hiss, the probability of fertilization is high. Otherwise, the powder simply settles to the bottom.

How to find out the gestational age at home?

In order to find out the duration of your pregnancy, it is not at all necessary to go to the doctor. You can determine how many weeks the baby is, and independently at home. To do this, add 14 days to the date of the last menstruation - this is the moment the egg leaves the ovary. And increase the resulting value by the number of days before the billing period.

Thus, there are many options for determining pregnancy at an early stage. You can use the services of modern medicine or resort to old healers' methods. But the most accurate and reliable way to diagnose is still a visit to the doctor.

Useful video about signs of early pregnancy

List of sources:

  • Obstetrics. Physiology of pregnancy. / Gumenyuk E. G.// Petrozavodsk: IntelTek, 2004.
  • Practice in obstetrics. / V. S. Orlova, P. A. Karpov, I. V. Budnik // Belgorod: BelGU, 2010.
  • Radiation diagnostics and therapy in obstetrics and gynecology / S. K. Ternova // ASMOK. — M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2012.
  • Barren marriage: modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment /G. T. Sukhikh, T. A. Nazarenko. // M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2010.
  • Diagnostic reference book of an obstetrician-gynecologist / T. V. Gitun. // M.: AST, 2006.
  • Obstetrics Part 1 / G. M. Savelyeva, V. I. Kulako. // Medicine, 2000.

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