If you are thinking, “I missed my period, am I pregnant?” you aren’t alone. Countless women wonder this every month, and while some are pregnant, others aren’t. Until you know for sure, though, the thought of an unplanned pregnancy is scary. It doesn’t take long until this is all you can think about. 

At Pregnancy Care Clinic, we know what this is like, and how anxious you must be, hoping that it’s just late. Before you go into full panic mode, take a deep breath, find a quiet, comfortable spot to sit down, and take a few minutes to consider some non-pregnancy reasons your period could be late. 

Possible Reasons for a Late Period 

Sometimes there are reasons—other than being pregnant—for a missing or late period [1]. Here are some of them: 

  • You’ve lost or gained a significant amount of weight. 
  • You’ve had your period for less than a year. 
  • You’ve had a lot of stress or anxiety recently, which can delay ovulation and, as a result, your period. 
  • You did the math wrong. Remember to count from the first day of your last period forward 28 days for the date to expect your period. 
  • Your periods have often been irregular, varying in length between menstrual cycles.
  • Excessive exercise can cause missed periods, particularly for people with low body weight or very little body fat. 
  • Are you pre-menopausal? If so, this is the time when periods become unpredictable, and it can be almost impossible to predict your next period. 

Early Symptoms of Pregnancy 

If none of the non-pregnancy possibilities seem to fit your situation, here are some of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy [2]: 

  • Missed period: If you are a week late, the possibility of pregnancy becomes more likely. 
  • Nausea: Often called morning sickness, nausea can happen at any time of day or night and may begin as early as one week into pregnancy. 
  • Tender breasts: When pregnant, breasts tend to become sore and swollen, the nipples darken, and veins become more visible. 
  • Fatigue: Pregnancy makes you tired because your body is working hard and going through a lot of changes. 
  • Increased urination: When your uterus enlarges during pregnancy, it puts more pressure on your bladder. 
  • Moody: Hello hormones! You have hormones to thank for the mood swings you may experience. 
  • Food aversions: Also due to hormones, you may find certain odors bother you or make you feel sick, and you may also experience a change in your sense of taste. 
  • Spotting: Occasionally a pregnant woman can have some spotting (light bleeding) 8-10 days after ovulation, leading them to think they have had a light period. This is caused by the implantation of the fertilized egg. 

Come for a Pregnancy Test 

If you would rather not wait any longer to find out if you are pregnant, make an appointment to come see us at Pregnancy Care Clinic for a no-cost pregnancy test. Our licensed medical professionals will help you every step of the way, and if the test comes back positive, we will offer you a no-cost ultrasound to check the viability of the pregnancy and tell you how far along you are. 

We are committed to providing a safe and confidential, non-judgmental environment to ask your questions, get the answers you need, and make thoughtful decisions about your future. Our caring and compassionate advocates are here to help and empower you so you can make the best possible decision.

[1] Barrell, A. (n.d.). Missed period but the pregnancy test is negative: 8 reasons. Retrieved May 2, 2019 from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322893.php

[2] Mayo Clinic. (2019, May 11). Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first. Retrieved May 12, 2019 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853