Is the stork coming in yet?

Some of the early signs of pregnancy can be confused with symptoms of a regular period. How do you make the distinction, and know for sure? Swati Chopra Vikamsey lets you in on some secrets

- Swati Chopra Vikamsey

Jayshree was five days past her period date. She was suffering from mild cramps, had slight headaches and was feeling pretty moody—all usual premenstrual symptoms. She has been trying to have a baby for a few months, but the misleading symptoms have left her in a tizzy! And every month she does not know if she is expecting a baby—or her period.

Often, early signs of pregnancy can be rather similar to those of the start of a regular menstrual cycle and thus, can be pretty misleading. The easiest way to find out if you’re pregnant is to take a home pregnancy test—or better still, a blood pregnancy test at the path lab. But, first-time mums-to-be may have a more difficult time distinguishing pregnancy from PMS though, even those who have had children in the past will tell you that it can be hard to tell the two apart. The most common PMS symptoms include swollen and tender breasts (which can be a common early pregnancy symptom); fatigue and tiredness (another possible sign you’re pregnant); bloating (yet another pregnancy symptom); headaches; anxiety and depression along with mood swings; joint and muscle pain; and menstrual cramps. All of these premenstrual symptoms are identical to early pregnancy symptoms so it is natural to confuse the two of them apart, especially if your period is late.