Am I Pregnant? Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

Even before you miss a period, your body gives off signals that a pregnancy might be in the works. Catching these very early signs of pregnancy may give you time to consider all your family planning options.

As Hormones Shift, Pregnancy Symptoms Start

An embryo is the tiniest thing—not even half an inch long in the first two months of pregnancy. But the changes it wreaks on a woman’s body right from the start are enormous. This is primarily due to the shifts in key hormones that start at the beginning of a pregnancy, says Sherry Ross, MD, a gynecologist and author of the books She-ology and She-ology, the she-quel.

These hormones include estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which multiplies rapidly at the start of a pregnancy.

When to Use Home Pregnancy Tests 

Of course, the most accurate way to know that you are pregnant is to take a home pregnancy test. This test uses urine to measure hCG and is generally accurate as early as two days before your expected period, says Hugh Taylor, MD, chair of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine and its medical practice, Yale Medicine. (Remember that pregnancies are dated from the first day of your last menstrual period, which means that a woman with a regular monthly cycle might already be four weeks pregnant at this time.)

Of course, women who have irregular periods can find it harder to know when to test. If you get a negative test, repeat it the following morning the first time you use the bathroom, when the hCG is most concentrated, Dr. Taylor says. If it’s still negative and you haven’t yet gotten your period, test again a few days later.

While waiting for pregnancy test results, many women look to their symptoms to help determine if they have conceived. It’s important to note that symptoms are different for every woman. Some experience many signs, others just one or two—or even none. And many of the symptoms attributed to early pregnancy can also be caused by other situations and conditions.

Still, symptoms are the way many women know they are pregnant. Here are 10 of the most common early pregnancy signs you should look for:

1. A Small Amount of Bleeding, Which Could Be Implantation Bleeding

You may think that if you’re slightly bleeding or spotting it’s a sign your period is on its way, but this can actually indicate a fertilized egg implanting into your uterus or other normal effects of early pregnancy. A quarter of pregnant women experience this spotting, researchers published in the American Family Physician.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), spotting generally starts about 6 to 12 days after you conceive.

This spotting may last a few days or can continue for several weeks, or even through the first trimester. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic note that this implantation bleeding might look like a brownish discharge or it may contain small drops of redder blood.

2. Round the Clock Peeing, Increased Urination

Bolting for the bathroom at every turn is something many women assume happens only in later pregnancy, when the uterus is big enough to press on their bladder. But it’s also a common symptom in the first few weeks, Dr. Ross says.

That’s because the hormone hCG increases blood flow to your pelvis, and the extra fluid volume can trigger the need to urinate more.

If the urinary frequency is accompanied by pain or cloudy urine, though, it’s possible you have a urinary infection and should be checked, Taylor says.

3. Feeling Beyond Tired, Fatigue

As early as a week after you conceive, you may find yourself getting extremely tired. Chalk that up to hormones as well as the support system the body starts setting up right away to house, feed, and grow a baby, Taylor says. Blood gets pumped to the fetus to deliver nutrients, and all those hormones start soaring — all of which can tax a woman’s body.

If you do feel fatigued, be kind to yourself and put your feet up. You might even take a daily nap, even if you haven’t nodded off in the daytime since childhood.

4. Pain in Your Boobs, Sensitive Breasts

“Breast tenderness if one of the earliest and most common signs of pregnancy. It occurs as a result of hormonal changes which start the process of getting your milk ducts ready to feed the baby,” Ross says.

Your boobs may feel as sore as they sometimes feel before your period, the Cleveland Clinic notes. But other changes may accompany this soreness: Nipples may darken and enlarge. And some women start busting out of their bra because the hormones enlarge breast tissue.

5. Nausea and Vomiting Symptoms

Whoever coined the term morning sickness obviously never had it, because nausea and vomiting can actually happen any time of the day.

This sensation generally starts from two to eight weeks after conception, the NIH says, and it may continue throughout pregnancy, although most women improve after the first trimester.

Adjusting mealtimes and eliminating foods that especially make you nauseous are some ways to deal with morning sickness, advises the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

More severe cases, when women feel sick for several hours a day and vomit frequently, are known as the medical condition hyperemesis gravidarum. Fortunately, this affects only 3 percent of pregnancies, ACOG says. Women with this condition sometimes need to be hospitalized to restore crucial body fluids that are being lost.

6. Craving or Avoiding Certain Foods

Most women don’t actually want that mythical pickles-and-ice cream combo, but food cravings do regularly occur, as does disliking a formerly favorite food.

A review of cravings in pregnancy published in Frontiers in Psychology lamented how little research exists for such a common symptom, which Ross says occurs in more than half of pregnancies. Cravings typically start in the first trimester. In one study the reviewers cited, three-quarters of women reported craving at least one food item by the thirteenth week of pregnancy.

What do women most want in early pregnancy? Mostly sweets, including fruits, juices, dairy, desserts, and, frequently, chocolate. But a small number of women prefer savory or salty fare, the review authors noted.

It’s not clear why these cravings happen. Some speculate it’s due to fluctuating hormones, which can change the sense of taste or smell, but others say it fills specific nutritional needs of the fetus or are brought on by cultural norms or other factors.

7. A Pounding Head

Headaches normally come on during the first trimester of pregnancy, according to the nonprofit organization March of Dimes, brought on by stress, lack of sleep, or other situations.

Of course, head pain can signal many things besides pregnancy — flu, sinus infection, and more — so it’s best to use this in concert with other early pregnancy symptoms when trying to determine whether you’ve conceived.

If you do get headaches early in pregnancy, the March of Dimes suggests drinking a lot of water, trying to get quality sleep at night, doing stress-reducing techniques like yoga or deep breathing, and identifying triggers such as eye strain or certain foods that you might avoid or limit.

8. Cramping in the Abdomen or Pelvis, Due to Implantation

Mild cramping in the pelvis, lower back, or abdomen commonly occurs early in pregnancy, as the embryo attaches itself to the uterus.

These cramps should feel more like discomfort than pain, the Cleveland Clinic cautions. Severe cramping or pain mostly on one side of the body could indicate an ectopic pregnancy or other complication. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience cramps like this.

9. Slightly Elevated Waking Body Temperature

Fluctuations in body temperature during a woman’s cycle are extremely subtle — with resting, or basal body temperature typically rising just ½ degree F at the time of ovulation. To catch a body temperature that might indicate early pregnancy, then, you have to be taking it every day.

There is no specific temperature that indicates an early pregnancy, states the period-tracking company Clearblue. However, basal body temperature is highest during ovulation and soon starts falling if an egg is not fertilized. If your basal body temperature has risen and stays up for the next 18 days, that’s a sign you may be pregnant, the company says.

To track basal body temperature, keep a thermometer on your nightstand because this temperature must be taken every morning, ideally at the same time, before getting out of bed. Record the temperature on a paper chart or a tracking app for easy comparison with prior days.

10. Moodiness and mood swings

Sometime between weeks 6 and 10 you might notice shifts in your mood. This is common in early pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, points out Nemours Children’s Health System. Mood shifts are caused by — you guessed it! — shifting hormones, which can also alter brain chemicals that regulate mood. The fatigue and physical stresses brought on by early pregnancy likely also contribute.

Mood shifts are usually nothing to worry about, but if they drop you into a deep depression, or if you develop thoughts of self-harm, it’s crucial that you reach out to a professional, the Cleveland Clinic cautions.

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Motion Sickness | Definition & Patient Education

Motion sickness is caused by movement such as riding in cars, boats, and amusement rides, or by seeing motion on a screen. It can cause nausea and vomiting, but doesn’t typically need medical treatment.

Motion sickness is a sensation of wooziness. It usually occurs when you’re traveling by car, boat, plane, or train. Your body’s sensory organs send mixed messages to your brain, causing dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea. Some people learn early in their lives that they’re prone to the condition.

Motion sickness usually causes an upset stomach. Other symptoms include a cold sweat and dizziness. A person with motion sickness may become pale or complain of a headache. It’s also common to experience the following symptoms as a result of motion sickness:

• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of or trouble maintaining your balance

Any form of travel, on land, in the air, or on the water, can bring on the uneasy feeling of motion sickness. Sometimes, amusement rides and children’s playground equipment can induce motion sickness.

Children between the ages of 2 and 12 are most likely to suffer from motion sickness. Pregnant women also have a higher likelihood of experiencing this kind of inner ear disturbance.

You maintain balance with the help of signals sent by many parts of the body — for instance, your eyes and inner ears. Other sensory receptors in your legs and feet let your nervous system know what parts of your body are touching the ground.

Conflicting signals can cause motion sickness. For example, when you’re on an airplane you can’t see turbulence, but your body can feel it. The resulting confusion can cause nausea or even vomiting.

Motion sickness resolves itself quickly and doesn’t usually require a professional diagnosis. Most people know the feeling when it’s coming on because the illness only occurs during travel or other specific activities.

Several medications exist for the treatment of motion sickness. Most only prevent the onset of symptoms. Also, many induce sleepiness, so operating machinery or a vehicle isn’t permitted while taking these types of medications.

Frequently prescribed motion sickness medications include hyoscine hydrobromide, commonly known as scopolamine. An over-the-counter motion sickness medication is dimenhydrinate, often marketed as Dramamine or Gravol.

Most people who are susceptible to motion sickness are aware of the fact. If you’re prone to motion sickness, the following preventive measures may help.

Plan ahead when booking a trip. If traveling by air, ask for a window or wing seat. On trains, boats, or buses sit toward the front and try to avoid facing backward. On a ship, ask for a cabin at water level and close to the front or the middle of the vessel. Open a vent for a source of fresh air if possible, and avoid reading.

Sitting at the front of a car or bus, or doing the driving yourself, often helps. Many people who experience motion sickness in a vehicle find that they don’t have the symptoms when they’re driving.

It’s important to get plenty of rest the night before traveling and avoid drinking alcohol. Dehydration, headache, and anxiety all lead to poorer outcomes if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Eat well so that your stomach is settled. Stay away from greasy or acidic foods before and during your travels.

Have a home remedy on hand or try alternative therapies. Many experts say peppermint can help, as well as ginger and black horehound. Although their effectiveness hasn’t been proven by science, these options are available.

For pilots, astronauts, or others who experience motion sickness regularly or as part of their profession, cognitive therapy and biofeedback are possible solutions. Breathing exercises have also been found to help. These treatments also work for people who feel unwell when they even just think about traveling.

Early pregnancy | Shchelkovsky perinatal center

Pregnancy is a wonderful period! However, the changes taking place in the body at this time can greatly frighten you. The phenomena characteristic of pregnancy are different for all women, and will not necessarily be repeated during each subsequent gestation. Let’s analyze the most common symptoms, their causes and possible methods of correction.

1. Frequent urination.

Frequent, painless (!) urge to urinate is one of the signs of pregnancy. This is due to increased secretion of progesterone (pregnancy hormone), changes in metabolism and pressure from the growing uterus on the bladder.

Be sure to see a doctor if:

• painful urination (this may be a sign of an infection)
• urine of strange color (stained with blood, brown)
• the amount of urine excreted per day is much less than the liquid drunk per day

Life hack! Under no circumstances should fluid intake be restricted! To alleviate the condition and reduce the frequent urge to urinate, it is necessary to exclude products that have a diuretic effect: tea, coffee, zucchini, watermelon; as well as salty, spicy and fried foods. It is better to drink water or juice. Wear comfortable cotton underwear that does not squeeze the lower abdomen.

2. Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, increased susceptibility to smells.

Nausea is one of the common symptoms of early pregnancy. The range of issues related to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is quite wide. From “it’s good, I don’t even feel sick” (with relief), “I don’t feel sick, what’s wrong with me?” (with anxiety) to “when will this nausea pass” (with hope). Indeed, these symptoms are not at all a mandatory accompaniment of gestation, they can manifest at 7-8 weeks and last up to 12-14 weeks. The duration of this condition can sometimes be delayed, but rarely persists throughout pregnancy.

Life hack! For nausea, eat before feeling hungry. Solid, non-hot food and drinks at a cool temperature are best. With heartburn, you should eat small portions of food and often, and most importantly, sit, stand or walk for at least 30 minutes after eating, but do not lie down.

You should definitely consult a doctor if:

• vomiting occurs even after drinking water
• vomiting is exhausting, accompanied by dizziness, weakness
• dryness, jaundice and flaking of the skin appear
• Nausea and vomiting interfere with proper nutrition, accompanied by weight loss

To reduce nausea and vomiting in the morning, try eating something before you get out of bed. It can be a cracker, a cookie, a piece of hard cheese. And salty food is preferable to sweet. You can have a snack in the same way at night when you get up to go to the toilet. Do not lie down immediately after eating, this will only increase nausea. Vitamins for pregnant women with nausea should be taken in the evening after meals. Cool water with lemon, ginger, mint tea, or ginger or mint candies can alleviate the condition. It is necessary to exclude those foods, drinks and smells that are unpleasant to you. Brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth often can also reduce nausea.

3. Pain or cramps in the lower abdomen, constipation, pain in the lumbar region.

The simplest and most easily controlled cause of pain is delayed and incomplete bowel movements. An increase in the concentration of progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles, which are located not only in the uterus, but also in other hollow organs. In this case, the correction of the diet and the restoration of the passage of feces will help. If the measures are ineffective, the doctor may prescribe safe drugs for you. A special type of pain that occurs during exclusivity in pregnant women is pain in the round ligament of the uterus. This acute, rather intense pain occurs, as a rule, on the one hand with a sharp change in body position (for example, when getting up from a chair or leaving a car). This pain occurs due to stretching, and then a sharp contraction, like a spring, of the round uterine ligaments. The pain quickly passes if you immediately take a comfortable position and does not require special treatment.

You should definitely consult a doctor if:

• pain is accompanied by spotting bloody discharge from the external genitalia
• increasing duration and intensity of pain
• abdominal pain accompanied by dizziness, fever, loss of consciousness

Life hack! To normalize bowel movements, eat more vegetables and fruits, drink water and move more during the day. Try to eat often and in small portions.

4. Enlargement and soreness of the mammary glands.

Hormonal restructuring of the body during gestation is accompanied, among other things, by an increase in the size of the mammary glands and an increase in their sensitivity. By the end of the first trimester, the soreness usually disappears, no additional methods of treatment are needed.

Life hack! Choose comfortable supportive underwear (it should not leave marks on the skin at the end of the day). You may need a larger size or a sports bra. Pain in the mammary glands is relieved by a warm shower at the end of the day.

You should definitely see a doctor if:

• the pain is intense
• mammary glands are very dense with redness and body temperature is increased
• discharge from the nipples appears (purulent, bloody)

5. Increased body temperature.

In early pregnancy, an increase in body temperature to 37.5 ° C is not necessary, but is possible due to the peculiarities of the action of progesterone. Because of this, it is difficult for pregnant women to endure stuffy, hot rooms. Self-medication is dangerous: an attempt to bring down the temperature even with a seemingly harmless folk method – tea with raspberries – can mask the true cause of hyperthermia and delay the diagnosis. Due to the increased body temperature, pregnant women should dress in layers and avoid stuffy and hot rooms and spaces so that they can always “adjust” their temperature on their own.

• temperature above 37.5 °C
• along with fever, any pain occurs
• runny nose, cough, body aches appear

6. Nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, nosebleeds.

These symptoms can be explained by the individual reaction of the vascular system to the increase in blood volume that occurs during pregnancy. Another possible reason is dry air in the room, the operation of central heating batteries.

Life hack! The easiest way to deal with nasal congestion is to use a humidifier. If you don’t have one, you can put a damp towel on the battery – less effective, but better than nothing. It is possible to use sprays with sea salt, but you need to carefully read the instructions and especially the “Indications” section, it should contain information about the safety of the product during pregnancy.

You should definitely see a doctor if:

• symptoms of a cold occur
• nasal congestion accompanied by ear congestion
• These symptoms appeared after exposure to the allergen known to you

7. Blood pressure fluctuations.

An ideal option for the course of any pregnancy is the stability of the blood pressure throughout the gestation. However, this is extremely rare. A small (up to 10 units) increase in pressure from the usual reference may be due to an increase in the load on the cardiovascular system as a result of changes in body weight, hormonal changes, and uterine pressure on the vessels. Normal pressure: systolic below 130 mm Hg, diastolic no more than 85 mm Hg. Blood pressure in the range of 130-139/ 85–89 mm Hg considered high to be normal. High numbers are often observed in patients of older reproductive age, suffering from diabetes mellitus and kidney disease, obesity, etc. However, it is imperative to tell the doctor about all these concomitant pathological conditions at the first appointment and, if necessary, consult a neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist and other related specialists . Reasonable physical activity, adherence to sleep and wakefulness, a balanced diet, and the rejection of coffee and strong tea allow you to keep pressure within limits. Of the completely exotic for our days, but no less significant – the prevention of stress.

Life hack! If you are experiencing high normal blood pressure for the first time, repeat the measurement after 15 minutes. If the pressure remains elevated, see a doctor.

Be sure to see a doctor if:

• your blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg
• pressure increased by more than 10 mm Hg. relative to your regular
• an increase in the pressure indicator is accompanied by edema, the appearance of “flies” before the eyes

NB! You should also pay attention to lowering blood pressure. Numbers less than 90/60 mmHg – an excuse to see a doctor.

Life hack! Keep a blood pressure diary, especially if you are prone to hypertension. Show your diary to your doctor at every appointment.

8. Heaviness and pain in the legs.

Heaviness and pain in the legs, especially in the evening, are frequent companions of pregnancy. There is an explanation for the occurrence of symptoms: an increase in load due to growing weight and a shift in the center of gravity of the body.

Life hack! Ask your partner/husband to give you a foot massage, relax with your limbs elevated (not too much!) A therapeutic pedicure, dousing the legs with cool water, a contrast shower, a cream or gel for legs with cooling components (menthol, essential oils), as well as compression stockings or stockings of the lightest degree of compression will help.

You should always see a doctor if:

• one or both legs are very swollen or discolored
• previously diagnosed varicose veins, family history of thrombosis

9. Skin changes.

During pregnancy, you may notice dark spots on your skin. Especially often such darkening (hyperpigmentation) is observed in the nipple area, along the white line of the abdomen. Stretch marks (stretch marks) may appear on the skin of the abdomen and thighs. These are normal signs and do not require any treatment. In most cases, skin color will return to normal after breastfeeding ends, and stretch marks will shrink and fade. Itching can be associated with stretching of the skin, especially in the abdomen and mammary glands. This symptom occurs infrequently and is usually successfully stopped by the use of special products to moisturize and soften the skin. By the way, these same remedies usually help in the fight against stretch marks.

Life hack! Oils and moisturizing creams to increase skin elasticity, contrast showers, massage with a hard brush will help reduce the likelihood of skin changes.

You should definitely consult a doctor if:

• along with itching there are areas of redness, spots, peeling
• itching increases

10. Bleeding gums.

Changes in the characteristics of blood circulation in the body of a pregnant woman can cause bleeding gums. The appearance of minor blood impurities during brushing your teeth, when eating solid foods (for example, an apple) is acceptable. However, the key provision is “insignificant”. If you find it difficult to assess your own condition, consult a specialist.

You should definitely consult a doctor if:

• you have loose teeth, sore gums, bad breath
• bleeding in the gum area increases

11. Fatigue, mood instability.

Tearfulness, lack of strength, forgetfulness, distraction, the whole palette of feelings “here and now”… The list can be continued, and there is only one explanation for this – pregnancy. The most common early symptom is severe fatigue. There is no universal recipe, just as there is no single picture of these states. The main recommendation for all pregnant women is to rest often, relax and even sleep during the day. Most importantly, you need to remember: pregnancy is not a disease, but a great time to prepare for motherhood.

Pregnancy and childbirth | First signs of pregnancy

The first signs of pregnancy. If a woman does not have any pain, does not swell, and the temperature is quite normal, this does not mean that there are no signs of pregnancy. It is advisable to find out about pregnancy, as well as about the disease, early in order to have time to take appropriate measures: get rid of the unwanted, and with the desired pregnancy, choose an obstetrician – gynecologist and a medical center where specialists will deal with the pregnancy. Signs of pregnancy. All signs of pregnancy are divided into doubtful, probable and reliable. There are only four doubtful signs of pregnancy.

1. A woman has an appetite perversion. She may refuse to eat chicken Kiev, chicken julienne with mushrooms, and fried potatoes. At the same time, she is clearly partial to spicy Korean dishes, pickles, as well as clay and chalk. In addition, at the first signs of pregnancy in the morning, she often feels sick.
2. Some smells become unpleasant for a woman. For example, at the first signs of pregnancy, a pregnant woman can throw a bottle of her favorite perfume into the trash can and open the window a hundred times a day to completely erode the smell of tobacco smoke.
3. A woman becomes somewhat inadequate: either laughs merrily, or gets annoyed over trifles or cries over the difficult fate of the heroines of the series. At the first signs of pregnancy, a pregnant woman drives her husband to white heat with questions about love and salary and constantly wants to sleep.
4. A woman has age spots on her face, nipples, areola and a line on her stomach from the navel to the groin darken. There are also four possible signs.

There are also four possible signs of pregnancy.

1. The woman did not have her period on time.
2. . A woman’s chest begins to hurt, and if you squeeze it, a sticky thick liquid begins to ooze from the nipples – colostrum.
3. On examination by a gynecologist, it is found that the woman’s vagina and cervix have become suspiciously bluish, and the uterus itself has changed in size, shape and consistency.
4. Pregnancy tests are positive.

There are only three reliable signs of pregnancy.

1. An ultrasound scan of the uterus reveals a fetal egg.
2. When examining ultrasound, you can determine the parts of the body of the unborn child.
3 The heartbeat and fetal movement are distinguished, fetal heart sounds are heard.

The first of these signs of pregnancy is triggered at 2-3 weeks of missed periods, and the third and fourth appear at 5-6 months of pregnancy. Reasons for pregnancy. Despite the fact that the causes of pregnancy remained the same as in the Stone Age. In order for a woman to become pregnant, the process of fertilization must take place: the egg cell has merged with the sperm cell. Remember that a missed period in and of itself is not a sign of pregnancy. Sometimes, a whole week after the delay of menstruation, they still come. However, if your period does not come on time, you can start measuring your morning basal temperature the very next morning. The thermometer should be inserted into the rectum to a depth of 2 cm for 5-7 minutes. If the basal temperature exceeds 37 degrees for several days in a row, most often this indicates in favor of a possible sign of pregnancy. With a delay in menstruation for 1-2 days or more, you can buy a special test at the pharmacy to determine pregnancy. It is easy to use and quite reliable. The accuracy of the answer will be higher if the study is carried out 2-3 times. The first signs of pregnancy. If you suspect pregnancy, especially with positive test results, you should definitely go to a gynecologist. He will conduct an examination to find out if the woman has 3 and 4 probable signs of pregnancy, prescribe a highly reliable study of the level of a specific pregnancy hormone in the blood and give a referral for an ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Unfortunately, such a formidable painful condition as an ectopic pregnancy in the early stages is very similar to a normal pregnancy. It also draws on salty, the same test results. To make sure that the pregnancy is uterine, only an ultrasound specialist will help you!

Many women ask themselves the question – pregnancy or just delay?. The most reasonable way out is to visit a specialist gynecologist or take a pregnancy test at home, but this is not always possible. How to determine pregnancy in other ways.

First, there are symptoms of pregnancy.

Symptoms of pregnancy include:

– missed period
– enlargement or soreness of the breasts and nipples
– secretion of colostrum
– nausea and vomiting in the morning
– change in taste (craving for salty, sour)
– appetite change
– increased fatigue
– irritability
– increased urination
These signs of pregnancy are not accurate, since often the same symptoms of pregnancy can be before menstruation. In addition, many women who are nervous about a possible pregnancy begin to experience nausea and other symptoms for psychological reasons.

The delay in menstruation can be not only due to pregnancy. There are a number of factors that affect ovulation and, as a result, delayed menstruation:

stress

travel

moving

illness

medication

9000 2 physical activity

sudden weight change (e.g. after a strict diet)

More accurate is basal temperature measurement

Pregnancy detection by basal temperature measurement

In order to determine pregnancy in this way, you need to know your menstrual cycle and keep a regular basal temperature chart.

You can be sure that pregnancy has occurred if high basal temperatures persist for 3 days more than the normal phase of the corpus luteum (this is the phase after ovulation until the next menstruation, characterized by high temperatures. Temperatures in this phase are above 37 degrees).
For example, if it is usually 12 days, and once it became 16 days, then there is a high probability of pregnancy. By the way, if the first phase (if the cycle is not very regular) can be quite different in duration, then the corpus luteum phase is generally very stable and lasts 12-14 days. Important: follow exactly the second phase of the cycle, and not the entire cycle. The duration of the menstrual cycle changes mainly due to the first phase!

Signs of pregnancy are highly likely if a third level of high basal temperatures occurs during a normal biphasic cycle. (however, this does not happen to everyone, the graphs of basal temperatures are quite individual). Usually, the basal temperature graph consists of two phases: first there is a phase of low temperatures, and then, after ovulation, it rises sharply – this is the phase of the corpus luteum (high temperatures). During pregnancy, it happens that after the second phase, an additional jump (sometimes gradual) of temperatures upwards appears and the basal temperature graph becomes three-phase.