If you are sexually active and have missed a period, you may be pregnant. The next step is to take a pregnancy test. We offer free pregnancy tests or you can purchase one at most drug stores. You need to confirm the pregnancy with a physician.

Physicians count how far along you from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). You can use our due date calculator for a rough estimate of your gestational age. For more information, speak with your doctor about getting an ultrasound.

Implantation bleeding typically occurs 10-14 days after conception. This is normal and relatively common. The bleeding is caused from the implantation of the embryo (blastocyst) into your uterus (1); it is similar to spotting. Sometimes this can be mistaken for a period, so it is important to confirm with a physician.

1) Kim, S. M., & Kim, J. S. (2017). A Review of Mechanisms of Implantation. Development & reproduction, 21(4), 351–359. https://doi.org/10.12717/DR.2017.21.4.351

Some early signs and symptoms of pregnancy include:

• Light vaginal bleeding

• Missed period (always occurs)

• Abdominal cramps

• Breast tenderness

• Nausea

• Bloating

• Fatigue and sleepiness

• Frequent urge to urinate

• Food cravings

• Changes in taste and smell

• Intolerance to strong odors

• Dizziness

• Mood swings

There are many ways to help manage symptoms, we can help you speak with a doctor for more information.

Pinheiro, P. (2025, June 16). 25 early pregnancy symptoms (in chronological order). MDsaude. https://www.mdsaude.com/en/pregnancy/early-pregnancy-symptoms/

Lots of vomiting can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, among other health issues. Talk to your doctor if you believe you are experiencing excessive vomiting or nausea.

Remedies for morning sickness include:

• Prenatal vitamins

  Supplements and vitamins geared specifically towards pregnancy nausea can help provide relief. They can come the form of capsules, gummies, teas, powders and more.

• Eat small, frequent meals
  An empty stomach can actually worsen nausea. Bland, starchy foods (like crackers, toast, or rice) help absorb stomach acid and settle digestion.

• Avoid food triggers
  Notice which foods make your nausea worse. Common triggers include spicy, greasy, fatty, or heavy foods.

• Try sour foods
  Citric acid may aid digestion and ease nausea. Sucking on lemon-flavored hard candy or a slice of citrus fruit can help. Other options are ginger and vitamin B6.

• Stay upright after eating
  Avoid lying down right after meals, as this can cause stomach acid to rise and interfere with digestion.

• Apply a cold compress
  A cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a towel can help soothe nausea or morning sickness. Place it on the back of the neck or over the wrists.

• Use wrist pressure
  Apply gentle pressure to the base of the underside of the wrist using two or three fingers for about 30 seconds. This can be repeated throughout the day whenever nausea returns.

We would also love to direct you to a nutritionist or dietician (possibly subsidized) that can help make sure you and your baby get the nutrients you need!

Butler Tobah, Y. S., Lamppa, J. A., Marnach, M. L., & Wick, M. J. (2020, June 30). Morning sickness. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375260

Wendel, L. (n.d.). 16 proven home remedies for nausea and morning sickness. HealthyLine. https://healthyline.com/blogs/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-nausea

AdvanceStudy.org. (n.d.). Does a cold compress help with nausea? AdvanceStudy.org. https://advancestudy.org/does-a-cold-compress-help-with-nausea/

Pregnancy lasts approximately 280 days. It is broken up into three trimesters: weeks 0-12, 13-27, 28 to the end of pregnancy around 38-40 weeks. For more information on fetal development and pregnancy progression, click here.

Jukic, A. M., Baird, D. D., Weinberg, C. R., McConnaughey, D. R., & Wilcox, A. J. (2013). Length of human pregnancy and contributors to its natural variation. Human Reproduction, 28(10), 2848–2855. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det297

MyHealth.Alberta.ca. (n.d.). [Health condition information]. Government of Alberta. https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=stt11640

First, don’t panic. While drinking, smoking, and illicit drug use may affect development, studies have found mixed results. Drinking and drug use very early in pregnancy is unlikely to cause any negative effects, but you should stop immediately when you discover you are pregnant. Because so much development occurs early on in the first trimester, your baby is at most risk of complications if teratogens are ingested between the 3rd and 10th weeks. Illicit drugs, alcohol, and smoking, especially when carried out continually through a pregnancy are likely to affect birth weight and development, which are associated with intellectual and physical disabilities. Speak to your physician as soon as possible, the early the intervention, the better it is for the baby.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025, May). Alcohol and women: Frequently asked questions. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/alcohol-and-women?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=otn

McCarthy, F. P., O’Keeffe, L. M., Khashan, A. S., North, R. A., Poston, L., McCowan, L. M. E., Baker, P. N., Dekker, G. A., Roberts, C. T., Walker, J. J., & Kenny, L. C. (2013). Association between maternal alcohol consumption in early pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 122(4), 830–837. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182a6b226