Dear Auntie, I think I may be pregnant. I’ve been trying for a baby and I’ve started to have cramps that I don’t usually get a day before my period and craving a metallic taste as well as feeling sick however during sex today I noticed I was bleeding.
Hey there. I’m so glad that you wrote in.
You mentioned some symptoms worth checking out. When you’re pregnant the following things might happen:
● You miss a period;
● You’re tired and don’t have much energy;
● You might vomit or feel sick;
● You need to urinate more than usual;
● You have tender or swollen breasts.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant. There might be other reasons why you are experiencing these symptoms.
The first thing I would recommend is to check to see if you’re pregnant. You can do this a couple ways:
- Home pregnancy tests – are available at most drug stores and pharmacies. They work 99 out of 100 times if used after a missed period. They can be less effective if you take the pregnancy test too early, if you do not use it correctly, or if the expiration date has passed. Home pregnancy tests are pretty accurate if you follow instructions carefully, but you should have a test done at a health clinic to confirm your results.
- See your local doctor or go to a family planning clinic. Your doctor, or the staff at a family planning clinic like Planned Parenthood will be able to let you know if you’re pregnant. They can talk to you about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing like the metallic taste in your mouth and the bleeding. These professionals will also be able to talk to you about the best ways to look after yourself during the pregnancy. And if you’re not pregnant, they can help you with tips for conceiving.
You can also check out We R Native’s sexual health pages to learn more about pregnancy.
Thanks for writing in and best of luck.
Love,
Aunty Manda
