The only way to know for sure if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. 

Let’s look at common reasons for missed periods that aren’t pregnancy, what early pregnancy symptoms to look out for, and what next steps you should take.

How to know if I’m pregnant?

Common reasons for a missed period that isn’t pregnancy

Just because you have a late period doesn’t always mean you are pregnant. One way to understand your body better is to track your cycle. This can help you know when your period should come each month and around when you ovulate. The FEMM app is a great place to start tracking your cycle.

Pregnancy Symptoms

Here are a few early signs of pregnancy.  

• Missed period. This is often the first sign of pregnancy. This symptom can be misleading though since period changes can be a sign of other health issues going on. 
• Tender, swollen breasts. Hormonal changes in early pregnancy may make your breasts feel more swollen or tender. 
• Nausea. Nausea can come with or without vomiting. This can also happen at any time of day. Certain foods or smells may make you nauseous as well.  
• Increased urination. When pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases which causes your kidneys to process more fluid. 
• Fatigue. Rapid rises in progesterone (the pregnancy hormone) may be the contributing factor to a lack of energy. 

Early pregnancy symptoms can be very similar to the symptoms of PMS. If you have had missed periods, unprotected sex, and are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms, it might be time to take a pregnancy test. Don’t start to freak out until you know for sure. 

LifeSpring offers free, confidential pregnancy tests so you can be 100% sure you are pregnant. If you are pregnant, we can walk you through what next steps might look like (like an ultrasound to see how far along you are and make sure the pregnancy is viable) and what pregnancy options you have. 

I’m pregnant, how far along am I?

If you already have a positive pregnancy test, you might be wondering how far along you are. Read more here to get an idea of when you might have gotten pregnant. 

Remember, the only sure way to see how many weeks pregnant you are is to have an ultrasound. LifeSpring offers free limited ultrasounds to date the pregnancy and confirm viability.

I’m pregnant, what are my next steps?  

Once you have confirmed you’re pregnant, even if you’re considering abortion, the next step you should take is to get an ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms two key things: viability and gestational age.  

A viable pregnancy means the pregnancy is progressing properly and is placed currently in the uterus. An ultrasound rules out a nonviable pregnancy such as a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. In either of these cases, abortion is not necessary. 

Gestational age is how far along you are in your pregnancy. Gestational age determines what pregnancy options you have, specifically abortion, since the FDA has only approved the abortion pill up to 10 weeks.  

Our client advocates can help you explore all of your pregnancy options so you can make the best choice for your health and future. 

I’m pregnant, when should I tell the father?  

Knowing when and how to tell your partner you’re pregnant can be scary. Once you know for sure you are pregnant, you should plan to tell your partner as soon as possible. First take some time to really understand what you are feeling, then plan a time to tell him in person.  

Here is a helpful guide to telling your partner about an unplanned pregnancy. If you need to talk with someone before you share the news, we are always a compassionate team to lean on.