Think you could be pregnant?
Wondering what to do next?
The first step is determining whether you’re pregnant or not – that’s where pregnancy testing comes in (one of our free services).
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
A late period is usually the first sign of pregnancy, but you can have a change in your menstrual cycle for many reasons. The most common pregnancy symptoms include:
- A missed period
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Morning sickness (can include noon and night)
- Sore, swollen breasts
- Increased hunger, food cravings, and aversions
- Bloating
- Mood swings
- Constipation
Pregnancy symptoms can vary from person to person and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Some people start to experience symptoms days after conception, while others don’t feel anything until weeks later.
When should I take a pregnancy test?
You can take a pregnancy test as soon as you’ve missed your period. However, taking a test too soon may give you a false negative. Your pregnancy hormones may be too low and the test cannot detect them and claims you’re not pregnant when you are. You may want to wait at least a week after you’ve missed your period to get a more accurate result.
Hope’s Pathway Chatham offers free on-site, self-administered pregnancy testing that may be more accurate than the home tests you’ve already taken. No matter what, getting a second opinion is vital to be sure you’ve taken the home test correctly.
Next Steps
Although pregnancy tests offer valuable insights, it’s crucial to understand that they serve as indicators rather than conclusive proof. Confirming pregnancy definitively requires an ultrasound. If you have had sex, there is a possibility of pregnancy. Our center can provide a free and confidential pregnancy test, and we can also refer you for an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy.
Hope’s Pathway Chatham does not provide prenatal care, emergency contraceptives, or refer or perform abortions.
Contact us today. We are here to help you work through your questions confidentially!
SOURCES
- Abortion Pill Reversal (n.d.) https://abortionpillreversal.com
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.) AAPLOG statement of the necessity of informed consent before elective procedures on the pregnant woman. https://aaplog.org/aaplog-statement-on-the-necessity-for-informed-consent-before-elective-procedures-on-the-pregnant-woman/
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.) AAPLOG statement of the necessity of ultrasound before elective procedures on the pregnant woman. https://aaplog.org/aaplog-statement-on-the-necessity-for-ultrasound-before-elective-procedures-on-the-pregnant-woman/
- American Pregnancy Association. (2025, February 10). Pregnancy Symptoms. https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/am-i-pregnant/pregnancy-symptoms/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, September 28). Ultrasound in pregnancy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 12). Ectopic pregnancy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
- Mayo Clinic. (2024, March 13). Symptoms of pregnancy: what happens first. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853