by Meagan Francis
You're nauseous, fatigued, and plagued by strange dreams. Maybe you're experiencing strange cravings or food aversions. Your period might be late, spotty, or seem completely absent. So you must be pregnant. Right?
Not necessarily. Here's a guide to some of the most common pregnancy symptoms-and what else they could mean.
Nausea
Mild to severe nausea and vomiting are hallmarks of the first trimester of pregnancy. However, stress, food poisoning, or illness can also cause stomach upset.
Sore Breasts
Early pregnancy is often marked by swollen, tender, or tingling breasts. But hormonal shifts due to PMS or a change in birth control pill, breast tissue injury (possibly caused by strenuous activity without a supportive bra), breast cysts, or breast disease can also cause unusual breast changes.
Frequent Urination
Hormone levels in the early weeks of pregnancy can make you feel "the call of nature" far more often than usual. So can diabetes, consumption of diuretics, like caffeine or alcohol, or a urinary tract infection.
Vaginal Discharge
Increased hormone levels can also lead to increased vaginal discharge. But excessive or unusual discharge could be caused by a vaginal infection. Also, discharge often changes at different times in your cycle. As long as it's not accompanied by itching, burning, or a strong smell, it's probably normal.
All the above symptoms could mean you are pregnant-or they could mean a host of other things. "There are many symptoms that can seem like pregnancy-nausea, cramps, headaches, etc-but mother's intuition, coupled with a positive pregnancy test, is the best way to tell for sure," says Geradine Simkins, CNM.
If you aren't pregnant but pregnancy-like symptoms persist, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider to rule out a potential health problem.
Meagan Francis is a freelance writer specializing in health, parenting, travel, beauty, and women's issues. Her work has appeared in Parenting, Organic Style, Midwest Living, Baby Talk, ePregnancy, Salon.com, REAL, Metro Parent, Brain, Child, and more. She's the mom of three boys-her inspiration for many of her articles. Visit her at www.meaganfrancis.com. | 
