The most obvious symptom of being pregnant is missing a period, but women may also experience the following:

• Nausea and/or vomiting €“ often termed 'morning sickness', however nausea and/ or vomiting can occur at any time of the day or night
• Tender or swollen breasts
• Increased urination, especially at night
• Tiredness
• Food aversions or cravings
• Mood swings
• Constipation
• Increased vaginal discharge.

Home pregnancy tests are convenient, private and easy to use. Used correctly, they can provide fast, accurate results €“ some as early as four days before the woman's period is due. Available tests include First Response Early Result and Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test. All tests work on the same basic principle €“ they detect levels of human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), the hormone produced when a fertilised egg implants into the wall of the uterus.

While it's possible to detect hCG even before a woman's period is due, levels rise with each day of the pregnancy, so the later the test is taken the more reliable it will be. If a woman tests early and gets a negative result but still does not get her period, she may need to take a second test a few days later. All tests come with written instructions that should be closely followed. There is usually a helpline to call if the user has any questions about the test or the result. Advise customers to read the instructions carefully and not to use tests past their expiry date.