How To Tell & What To Do If Your Girlfriend Is Pregnant

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.

Do you think your girlfriend might be pregnant? Perhaps you asked her and she dismissed the question or quickly said "no", but you are still uncertain.

Maybe you already suggested she take a pregnancy test, but she doesn’t want to take one because she’s afraid to face the test result. Or she might already know she’s pregnant but isn’t ready to talk about it—all of which are common responses.

Of course, the best way to know the answer is a pregnancy test, but you can also look for these common signs to gauge the early stages of pregnancy. 

Common Signs of Early Pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, her body produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a pregnancy hormone that doubles in amount every few days until it peaks at about eleven weeks of pregnancy. hCG can cause symptoms in a pregnant woman, particularly in early pregnancy.

Missed Period

This sign might not be as obvious as it sounds. Sometimes women experience implantation bleeding in early pregnancy, which they mistakenly count as a period. However, implantation bleeding is usually lighter and shorter than a normal period.

It could be helpful to track your girlfriend’s periods along with her. If interested, she can invite you to her period tracking apps like Flo or Clue. 

Aversion to Foods or Smells

If your girlfriend suddenly feels disgusted by foods she once enjoyed, it could be a sign of pregnancy. You might also notice she has a new aversion to strong smells.

Nausea or Vomiting

Have you noticed your girlfriend eating less or eating starchy foods like crackers? Or is she complaining of feeling sick to her stomach, but she doesn’t have an illness? These could be signs of pregnancy. People often refer to nausea or vomiting in pregnancy as “morning sickness,” but it can affect a pregnant woman any time of day or night.

Fatigue

Is your girlfriend exhausted, not simply tired, but super drained? Pregnancy causes a woman’s body to begin enormous changes: blood pressure and blood sugar lower, which triggers fatigue; progesterone hormone levels rise, which adds to her exhaustion; and her body makes more blood to bring nutrients to sustain the pregnancy. 

Sore or Swollen Breasts

Sore or swollen breasts can be a sign your girlfriend’s pregnant, or they can be signs she is about to get her period. However, these signs are often amplified in pregnancy since hormones cause her body to retain more fluid leading to more swelling and tenderness.

What to Do If You Think Your Girlfriend Is Pregnant

If you think your girlfriend is pregnant, the first step is to talk with her about it. Keep in mind that fear is the most common reason your girlfriend might resist taking a pregnancy test, so it’s important she feels confident that you will respond to the result in a healthy manner. Reassure her that you can work through any scenario together—she needs to sense your support through your actions and not just words.

Answers Are Available

Avail NYC provides free, self-administered pregnancy tests (hCG urine test kits) to give you the answer you and your girlfriend need to move forward. Make an appointment with our experienced advocates who can answer your questions and give you unbiased information so you can make an informed decision about a possible unexpected pregnancy. We can also provide referrals to third-party medical centers for a free to low-cost OB/GYN appointment if you wish.

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.