Difference:pms and pregnancy symptoms

[bani29]

Hi! My question is how can we differentiate pregnancy and pms symptoms?Every month i have symptoms like breast tenderness,tiredness,digestive problems,bloating and twinges in lower abdomen for about a week prior to my period.All of these symptoms resemble early pregnancy symptoms.Since i have been ttc,it becomes very difficult for me to understand during the two week wait.Kindly share your opinions.

[mumwith#4]

There's actually not a great deal of difference in early pregnancy except that the symptoms of pms usually go away when AF arrives or just before/after. Whereas pregnancy symptoms not only continue but increase in intensity. Hope this helps and good luck with finding out!

[aisham]

God I had the same question! I usually have pms a week before my period.  I was due yesterday for my period and have not had any pms and I'm a few days late! So I still wonder what symptoms I should be looking for...

[AnnieBrooke]

For me, there was no difference.  If you are one of the people who is not gifted by Mom's genes to get morning sickness, you probably won't have any different signals.  I had IVF so I KNEW when there were embryos inside me and when they should be implanting, and I still couldn't tell during the 2ww either that I was pregnant or that I was not.  Lower body cramps, etc. were all the same.  I remember being really surprised to get an HPT that was positive, and wouldn't have been so surprised if I had known through my female intuition that the IVF had worked.  That said, some ladies  do say they just knew.

[aisham]

Great, then I guess I'll wait another week to test if I don't get af first! Sooo confusing...

[lucylocket2]

oh, you'll know. It a different kinds sick feelin. or at least it was for me. I have cramps really bad. I didn't with the pg.'s. plus, I could just tell. I felt it. Good luck ttc!!

[bani29]

Thanks for your comments ladies.I am due for af tomorrow and have all pms symptoms.I hope its a pregnancy this month.Anyways i am ready even if af shows up bcoz it would then give me a new cycle for ttc.Good luck to u aisham.....keep us posted.

[katherine1973]

i am going thru the same thing.  i am on day 16 of embryo transfer and due to take blood test on day 18 friday.  i am on my 3rd ivf try, this time the best results for me, i am a low responder, they transfered 4 embryos on 12/21.  i have been extremely tired, some foods i have put in front of me and start to eat and have to stop because the taste makes me nauseated and these are foods i have eaten before, my breast were tender but that is not as noticeable, and i am feel more cramping, more urination, lower back pain, and my husband says i have a different overall scent, but i was bad an took an at home test a few days ago and i guess the test worked but the line was so faint i could barely see it and had to hold it up to the light just to read it, but it said negative.  i spoke with my nurse and she said it may or not be the case because i did it early, but i am not buying that.  plus, i would think i would have that female intution...that i would know.  if anyone has any thoughts please comment or email me at Katherine_Anderson***@****  i am so anxious and worried and sad that i cant think straight

[tinypuppy]

oh gosh.. i am so confused between PMS and pregnancy symptoms.. are they similar? Coz i usually tend to look bloated, feel tired and have a larger appetite prior to PMS. Lately, I have been very very moody.. in fact, i cry at the slightest issue. I'm not sure if this time round is pregnancy symptoms.. I do hope it is. Have been waiting for good news.. my menses is due this week.. I pray and hope I will not get my menses.. wish me luck!

[ras1020]

I know, I can't tell the difference between PMS and early pregnancy symptoms either.  I was very bloated, eating less, nauseous and tired for the last two weeks, which I normally get one week before my AF, but not two weeks.  I was 6 days late until yesterday I had a little light colored bleeding when I wiped, which lasted through out the day, but only when I wiped (so it was not flowing) and today not much at all.  However, I don't have any of the symptoms anymore (sore breasts) but I am a bit nauseous (not as much).  Maybe it's all in my head, but this is crazy and frustrating because I am never never never late more than 32 days (my cycle is normally 28 to 31 days).  I have a doc's appointment next week, so we'll see then.  I know exactly how you feel!  Take care.

[somewhereoutthere]

Ok, thanks to Google I know I am not alone!  I feel like a crazy person running to the bathroom every hour checking for AF.  I too seem to be feeling symptoms of PMS bloating, tiredness, cramping. My breasts seem fine though.  I keep reading that a lot of people get that but mine seem to be fine.  I am feeling rather lightheaded and have had some heartburn that I don’t usually ever experience.   I just wish there was some kind of sign that would just let you know.  As if the 2 week wait from ovulation isn’t torture enough your body sends off mixed signals.  I am pretty irregular so I am going to wait another few days before dashing off to get a test but fingers crossed this is it!

[candika]

Good luck to all who are  ttc.I know how you feel...I have a 9 year old son and have been trying for another child for about 7 years. After some fertility treatments I misscarried at 9 weeks in Dec.07.I have always had irregular cycles.After the mc I had reg visits from af in jan-feb- missed march she was back in april and missed may.Then I thought she was comin on june 3rd...all i got was a little discoloration and 2 bright red spots and she was gone.Now it is the 25th of june and in the in the last two weeks I have had some nausea and breast soreness.The last couple of days I have had some mild cramps lower back and legs aches. I've had almost like a watery fluid dicharge for a few weeks.I'm not sleeping to well at night. I was crying last night for no reason.I want to get pregnant again but the trauma from the misscarriage still haunts me.What do you think could I be pregnant.I got preg. the first time after just a couple of spots do you think that could have happened this time...Thanks, Candika

[msknox]

Wow, i feel so much better reading all of your stories. Every month I get my hopes up so high...... and when my period comes, i get so frustrated with my body. (Which of course is the wrong energy to have). I too am having sore bbs, (which I have been every month since ttc), severe moodiness, light headedness and tired. mild cramps. I'm taking a test thursday if still no period.
I have been having crazy dreams about babies and breastfeeding, which makes me wake up craving a child even more. It's amazing how in our society we're taught that if you work hard at something you will get what you want. This is one of the only times where that is simply not the case. I try to just have faith in the universe, that my time will come.
Good luck to all of you
- michaela

[candika]

Hi Candika here...Well af  teased me again this month.It was around the same time as last month,just a couple of red dots but never showed up.I still have all the same symptoms,I am gonna do another pt maybe this weekend.Wait and see I guess...I am so frustrated!

[Seimei]

UGHH!
I've been lookin for somewhere to just vent my total confusion. I mean during my period my breasts usually hurt but, now it just seems worse...or maybe just different. But i have been eating so much but not just to eat like i do on my period it's like i digest my food to quickly. I havn't had issues with nausea oddly enough, becuase I have a usually irritable stomach,but  I did notice when I went with my BF to a convention that I could smell everything... it was so strange it was like (as my BF told me) I hit a wall, and I would cringe at a scent....someones garlic fries, or perfume...or just people.

The smell thing was what kinda got me to thinking...uh oh what if? So I thought about it over and over...I haven't been more tired than usual but I  work a midnight shift there for I'm usually always tired, you know?

So my breast still hurting for more than a week now (usually it doesn't last that long) I bought a PT knowing that my period is not till next week, I felt SO strongly about being pregnant that I took it anyway....negative of course.

But what I just wanted to know, is there anyone who has had the same feeling or symptoms as me? You know, Do you think intuition is constitutable? I've just had some very light cramps...I thought it was a lttle early for that.

Oh yeah i failed to mention that My BF and I don't have alot of unprotected sex...just sometimes, but we use the "pull out" method and I'm not sure how much that would lower my risk of actually being pregnant.

UGhhh please help

SEI

[anna727]

SEI,

I have been having similar symptoms. For about a week I have noticed fuller breasts (more so than when I have PMS) and a continuous mild cramping. These symptoms came on a bit early in my cycle -- my normal PMS symptoms  tend to occur 3 days or so before my period and I'm not due to have my period until the 21st. I haven't experienced any nasuea or vomitting, though. My mood is also pretty stable.

I wonder if any mothers out there felt similarly early in their pregnancies? Since my symtoms came on earlier than my normal PMS symptoms, could this suggest pregnancy?

Thanks!

[tarabear]

Goddness im about to go nuts, im ttc and i dont know if its pms or if im acutally pregnant, ive had one baby before and had absolutely no clue what so ever that i was pregnant i was about a month along and my friend told me to take a test cause she thought that i was and sure enough i was, but this time i feel like i should know cause i know the symtoms but there so similar to pms i dont know if im just wanting to be pregnant so bad that im imaging it but i really feel pregnant, bloating tired,smelling everything etc.....i have irregular periods so its not my first sign so im going to wait about a week a take a test cause i feel like i should be having a period soon if im not pregnant, who knows maybe im not going crazy lol

[IZZIE70]

I am 38 ttc # 3 my kids are 20, 11  I always dreamed of having the perfect situation to have a baby I have the most amazing partner he never had kids and I can tell that he drulls when he sees one I am  ttc for 8 months now..I am two days late now ....having pms symptoms but my boobs hurt more than ever I totally understand how you feel.
I really want this baby for him..  I am going crazy too!
Good Luck.  Check in by next week!
LOTS OF BABY DUST TO ALL OF YOU!

[no57]

I've only been trying for a few months, we waited until we were ready and now we just want to go go go! The 1st month was agonising and I imagined most early pregancy signs - nausea, breast tenderness, moddiness and then it was just PMS!!!!  I tested about 6 times!!!!! This month Im trying to be more chilled about it (as much as you can) and try not to worry or stress as it just makes me blue!  But here I am scouring the websites on PMT virsus pregnancy signs (they're the same!) How annoying.
I think this will get easier... Ive told myself to give it 6mths, if we still haven't concieved I know Ill be very low.  But I have a wonderful hubby and life so chin up ladies.
I also keep dreaming of babies and breast feeding, so it's definately in our sub-concious............. fingers crossed for all.
Just remember to keep strong girlies x

[no57]

Just found out this morning that I'm 2 weeks pregnant, the biggest give away is definately bigger and very sore boobs!  Good luck everyone. x

[cino456]

I have been trying for about a year and alwas get my hopes up evry month,I become angry when my AF arrives..I have had an ovulation test as well and it came back positive.I've have no cervical mucus to show whether im ovulating or not.Good luck to all ttc out there

[nikki193]

Im in the same boat ladies here i am waiting! P-Day is tommorrow for me!!! Im biting my nails. Ive taking 2 preg test one 3 days ago and one 8 days ago both neg! My boobs are in so much pain!!!!! Now its all a big waiting game! Write back tommorrow!!!!  Atlanta mommie

[MrsKing]

Hi,
We have been ttc for 16 months now and Husband had Acupunture to improve his count which we have now found out through having another sperm test that it worked! But for 2 weeks now my boobs have grown and not fitting into many bras and they can be really really painful, sometimes I get tingling there as well.  I have been craving chocolate more than normal and boy am I moody!! lol I know its very likely that AF will arrive but can't help but wonder 'what if. ' I'm expecting AF tomorrow and really don't want that to happen. took 2 hpt 2 days ago and today obviously both negative so feel a bit depressed....suppose I just want to get this off my chest and have a rant! but please keep fingers crossed that my AF does not come tomorrow and lots of baby dust to everyone.

Lucy xx

[MrsKing]

Too late, AF did come to visit in the end!!! I feel so sad yet determined again for next ovulation....Here we go again!! (sigh)

x

[2dogcrew]

HI all,

So I am new at this baby stuff and I am in the same PMS/Preg boat. Flow is due to arrive on Monday. My hubby and I literally just started trying this month. I have been taking my temp with a basal therm and Im not sure if Im even doing that properly. I jumped the gun and took a couple tests already cuz someone told me if the preg hormones are there, they'll show up on a test right away. Needless to say both were negative. But as I sit here typing, Im super nauseas, my boobs are sore and Im an emotional wreck. However typical of AF. Whlie our bodies are incredibly wonderful and complex, why the hell do these 2 things have to be so similar?

Don't know what my objective is while I am typing this, but Im a bit frustrated and just wanted to let it out. Im happy to see a lot of ladies go thru this!

Thnx,
J