Finding out if you're pregnant can feel both exciting and overwhelming. I'd like to help you with a simple, practical guide: Early signs can suggest pregnancy, but only a pregnancy test (and sometimes a medical evaluation) can confirm it. Here's an overview, a timeline, and concrete next steps.

The very first signs of pregnancy vary greatly from person to person, and some notice almost nothing at first. Nevertheless, there are some typical signals many people notice:

• Missed period (often the signal that prompts most people to test)
• Tender or swollen breasts
• Fatigue or unusually low energy
• Nausea or food aversion (can occur at different times of the day)
• More frequent urination

Important: The same symptoms can also be caused by stress, illness, changes in sleep patterns, or hormonal fluctuations. Therefore, symptoms alone are not a definitive answer.

If your period is late and you've had unprotected sex (or contraception that could fail), it makes sense to think, "could I be pregnant?".

• Is your cycle usually regular or does it fluctuate?
• Have you recently been ill, stressed, traveled, or changed your exercise or eating habits?
• Are you using hormonal contraception, or have you recently stopped?

A delay can be a sign, but the test will give you a more reliable answer.

Home tests measure the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. hCG typically rises in the days after a fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus, but the level can be low at first.

• Test from the day your period is expected.
• Follow the test instructions exactly as described.
• If you test very early, first morning urine can make it easier to detect hCG.

A negative test doesn't always rule out pregnancy if you test early. Wait a few days and test again, or contact your doctor, who can assess the situation and possibly take a blood test.

It can be nice to have a simple timeline, so you don't feel like you "should" be feeling something on a specific day.

• Weeks 1-2: Many feel nothing (pregnancy is often calculated from the first day of the last period).
• Weeks 3-4: Some experience mild symptoms such as breast tenderness, fatigue, or slight changes in appetite.
• Weeks 4-6: More people begin to experience nausea, frequent urination, and more pronounced fatigue.

Remember: A lack of symptoms does not mean you are not pregnant.

If you have a positive test, the next step is typically to contact your doctor for advice on the further course of action.

• Severe pain in the abdomen or one side
• Heavy bleeding or bleeding with pain
• Dizziness, faintness, or severe malaise

These symptoms can be caused by many things, and that is precisely why they should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

1. Is your period late?
2. Take a pregnancy test after your expected period.
3. If the test is negative and you still suspect pregnancy: test again after a few days.
4. If the test is positive: contact your doctor for the next steps.
5. In case of severe pain or bleeding: seek help quickly.

If you get a positive test, your body may start changing early, especially your breasts. Many feel most comfortable in soft, flexible underwear without underwire, as the body can be tender, and comfort often means a lot during the initial period. For example, you can look at Maternity & Nursing Bras or a specific model like the Gel-Support® Maternity & Nursing Bra, which is made as a supportive alternative to underwire and designed to accompany you through both pregnancy and breastfeeding.

• Sundhed.dk - information on pregnancy and pregnancy tests: https://www.sundhed.dk/borger/patienthaandbogen/graviditet/
• NHS (UK) - Pregnancy tests and early symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/doing-a-pregnancy-test/
• Mayo Clinic - Pregnancy symptoms and home tests: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/pregnancy-tests/art-20047940