When Will You Be Able To Confirm That Youre Pregnant
If your period is fairly regular, your first clue that you may be pregnant could be that your period doesnât come on time. If you think you might be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test.
These tests can confirm a pregnancy by checking for a pregnancy hormone called hCG in urine.
Keep in mind, if you take the test too early there may not be enough of the hormone in your urine yet for the test to be accurate. Check the packaging on the test you buy for information on when to take the test. Some require you to wait until at least the first day of your missed period. Others can detect lower levels of hCG, and may be accurate a little earlier on.
If you think you may be pregnant but the test says otherwise, try again after a few more days or speak to your healthcare provider.
You can also ask your healthcare provider to confirm your pregnancy. Your provider will do a blood test.
Think you might be pregnant? Take our Am I Pregnant quiz. It wonât tell you for sure, but itâs all good fun!
When Should I Call My Doctor About A New Pregnancy
If you have missed a period, taken a pregnancy test and gotten a positive result, your next step will be to call your healthcare provider for your first appointment. While scheduling, your provider may ask if you have already started taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400mcg of folic acid. These vitamins are important in early pregnancy because they help in the development of your babys neural tube. The neural tube will become the brain and spine. Many healthcare providers recommend that any women who could become pregnant take folic acid at all times.
If you are planning a pregnancy, a preconception appointment with your healthcare provider is a good place to start. A preconception appointment is especially important if you take medication for a chronic illness or have other medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension or lupus.
During this appointment, your provider will discuss any current medical conditions, as well as your general health before pregnancy. This appointment is meant to get you into the best place for a new pregnancy.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/01/2020.
References
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy
When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start
how soon do you get symptoms of pregnancy?
It takes about 2 to 3 weeks after sex for pregnancy to happen. Some people notice pregnancy symptoms as early as a week after pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of your uterus. Other people dont notice symptoms until a few months into their pregnancy. Usually the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period.
Common symptoms of pregnancy include nausea or vomiting, and feeling tired. Other signs are sore or swollen breasts, headaches, and peeing more often than usual.
Taking a pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure if youre pregnant. You can take a home pregnancy test , visit your nurse or doctor, or contact your local Planned Parenthood health center for testing.
Tags: pregnancy, symptoms of pregnancy
Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. is a registered 501 nonprofit under EIN 13-1644147. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.
Don’t Miss: Is It Safe To Use Vagisil While Pregnant
When Can You Accurately Test For Pregnancy
As tempting as it can be to take pregnancy tests early and often, it may not be helpful. At 5 DPO, there is no reliably accurate way to check for pregnancy.
Most tests check for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin , which the placenta makes. This hormone starts building up in the body after implantation.
While implantation may occur early on in some womens menstrual cycles, it does take time for the hormone to build up to a level in the blood that will make it detectable in a blood or urine test.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, blood tests for hCG levels should be accurate 11 days after conception, while it would be best to wait 1214 days before taking a urine test.
Taking a pregnancy test too early may give inaccurate results. It is possible that a pregnant woman could still get a negative result if the level of hCG has not yet built up in her body.
A false positive is also possible, which is a positive result on a pregnancy test when the woman is not pregnant. This can happen when a woman performs the test incorrectly, has a chemical pregnancy, or is taking certain hormonal medications as part of fertility treatment.
Improve Your Fertility And Get Pregnant Faster
Obie is your reproductive health coach, helping you reach your goal with expert personalized guidance.
Not an iOS user? to be the first to know about Obie for Android.
Many women wonder how soon you can feel pregnancy symptoms, and whether you can feel implantation or conception. The simple answer: you can get early pregnancy symptoms and signs even before you have a missed period, and you may feel pregnancy signs and symptoms right after implantation.
Check out your Fertility Knowledge, and how much you know about fertility
You May Like: Is Lice Treatment Safe During Pregnancy
Varicose Veins And Leg Oedema
Varicose veins of the legs are very common in pregnancy due to a combination of factors, including increased volume of circulating blood during pregnancy, and pressure of the pregnant uterus on the larger veins. This increased pressure on the veins can also result in swelling of the legs that can cause pain, feelings of heaviness, cramps and other unusual sensations.
If you have varicose veins, it is recommended that you:
- Wear support stockings.
- Avoid standing for long periods.
- Exercise gently and regularly .
- Lie down to rest with feet elevated, when you can.
- Try massaging your legs.
What Precautions Should You Take If Youre Trying To Conceive And During Early Pregnancy
If youâre trying to get pregnant, you might need to make some healthy lifestyle changes. Since you wonât necessarily know you are pregnant during the first few weeks, itâs best to take some precautions as soon as you start trying to conceive and then continue with them during your pregnancy.
For example, make sure youâre eating healthily and getting regular exercise.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend you start taking folic acid when you start trying for a baby. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of certain birth defects that affect the babyâs brain and spine. Your healthcare provider will be able to recommend a prenatal vitamin that contains the 400 micrograms of folic acid needed.
Pre-pregnancy is also a great time to eliminate some less healthy habits. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Some healthcare providers may advise you to limit your caffeine intake, too. Secondhand smoke can be harmful to you and your baby, so if your partner is a smoker, itâs best if he or she quits, too.
Recommended Reading: Can I Use Vagisil Wash While Pregnant
Vulva Change In Colour
One of the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy can be a change in colour of your vulva and vagina. Your vulva and vagina are usually pink, but this changes to dark purplish-red as your pregnancy progresses. This happens because more blood is needed in that area to build the tissue, a change which midwives refer to as Chadwicks sign.
What else could it be?All of the maintenance we perform on our vaginas can contribute to a change in colour. If you have been using razors or hair removal creams you could be suffering from reddening or a rash. Also, watch out for washing products that arent sensitive to the hormone balance as this can have an effect too. Look for gentle products to prevent irritation to your vagina.
When Will Your Baby Be Born
When you find out youâre pregnant, one of your first questions might be âwhen will I get to meet my baby?â For an estimate, try our Due Date Calculator, where you can simply enter the first day of your last period or the date of conception.
Keep in mind, only about 5 percent of babies are born exactly on their due date. Itâs totally normal to give birth in the two weeks either side of your due date. Your healthcare provider can also give you an estimate of when your little one will be born.
Due dates are typically calculated as 280 days, or 40 weeks, from the first day of your last menstrual period. When calculating a due date and the weeks of pregnancy in this way, the first week of pregnancy is actually the week you had your period, and were not pregnant yet. Itâs hard to wrap your head around but, based on how due dates are calculated, you are not actually pregnant yet in the first couple of weeks of the 40 weeks of pregnancy.
Recommended Reading: Can You Donate Plasma When Pregnant
How Soon Can You Experience Pregnancy Symptoms
Pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks. Normally you get your duration about 4 weeks from the start of your closing period, but when you’re pregnant, the clearest signal at this level is a overlooked duration. Many ladies still really feel high-quality at 4 weeks, however others might notice sore breasts, fatigue, common urination, and nausea.
How long after conception do you really feel tired?
From that point till the end of gestation, bodily changes can be felt right through the pregnancy. 6 to twelve days after conception: Implantation of the fertilized egg might purpose cramping. 7 to fourteen days after conception: Breasts would possibly really feel swollen, sore, tingly and heavy.
Is fatigue a sign of early pregnancy?
Feeling tired or exhausted is a common early pregnancy symptom, however one which is not all the time related to hormones or pregnancy. In the early days of pregnancy, tiredness is a not unusual symptom, but no longer always comparable entirely to the brand new hormonal state or rising foetus.
You May Like Also
Bloating And An Enlarging Belly
Early pregnancy is not when you will begin to show, but some people report an enlarging belly as a pregnancy symptom. This is typically caused by bloating as opposed to the baby.
Weight gain in the first trimester is generally not very noticeableusually only a pound or two. In fact, you may even lose weight from a combination of not feeling well, food aversions, and a better diet as you make lifestyle changes.
You May Like: Is Lice Treatment Safe During Pregnancy
Reasons You Might Think You’re Pregnant
At some point in time, nearly every woman wonders if she’s pregnant. Perhaps you have some pregnancy symptoms or have a late period. Maybe you’ve been trying to have a baby can are waiting impatiently for a big fat positive. Either way, these are some of the most common questions you’ll get asked by your healthcare professional.
When Do The Symptoms Start
Though it may sound odd, your first week of pregnancy is based on the date of your last menstrual period. Your last menstrual period is considered week 1 of pregnancy, even if you werent actually pregnant yet.
The expected delivery date is calculated using the first day of your last period. For that reason, the first few weeks where you may not have symptoms also count toward your 40-week pregnancy.
| Signs and symptoms |
Read Also: Can You Get Lasik When Pregnant
Were There Any Problems With It
There are many things that can potentially interfere with birth control. For oral contraceptives or the pill, some medications, like antibiotics, can nullify the effects. If you have a condom slip or break, you have a greater likelihood of pregnancy. So did you have any issues like this during your cycle?
A Negative Test Result
If the pregnancy test yields a negative result, you have either tested too early or are not pregnant. You have a couple of options if this is the case. You can wait and retake a pregnancy test. This is usually done only if you haven’t started your period yet. Alternatively, you can ask your doctor or midwife for a blood pregnancy test, which is more sensitive than a urine-based pregnancy test.
Don’t Miss: Is Lice Treatment Safe During Pregnancy
Will Problems From The First Pregnancy Repeat
Some unpleasant symptoms from your first pregnancy may rear their head again. Women whove had issues like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia should be careful with their second pregnancy as well because they could be more at risk of developing the problem than other women. For instance, those who had gestational diabetes mellitus in their first pregnancy have a 41.3 percent risk of having the problem in their second pregnancy. For everyone else, the risk is just 4.2 percent with their second pregnancy.11
The good news, though, is that you will be better equipped to spot symptoms of a problem, having gone through it before. You can then work with your doctor to get the support you need through your pregnancy.
| Getahun, Darios, Michael J. Fassett, and Steven J. Jacobsen. Gestational diabetes: risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 203, no. 5 : 467-e1. |
- TAGS
Are Home Pregnancy Tests The Best Way To Check For An Early Pregnancy
Home pregnancy tests are generally very reliable. These tests involve urinating on a small test strip and then waiting for a symbol to appear in the result window. This window will usually show a test image . This symbol appears first and means that the test is working. Always check the packaging and instructions of your test to make sure it is working correctly. Within a few minutes, the test will show either a positive result or a negative result. Some digital tests will display a word or phrase .
Blood tests for a possible pregnancy are done in your healthcare providers office. This version of the test looks for hCG in your blood. You still need to wait for hCG to build up in your body before taking this type of pregnancy test. Your healthcare provider may recommend this option in some cases. Call your provider if you suspect youre pregnant and discuss the best type of test.
You May Like: Can You Get Lasik Eye Surgery While Pregnant
Whens The Best Time To Take A Pregnancy Test
If youre trying to conceive, its normal to be antsy for results! The most accurate and reliable results will show up best from the first day of your missed period likely around 13 to 15 DPO. It may be best to wait at least three weeks after conceiving before taking a test if you dont have regular menstrual periods.
Some pregnancy tests may have instructions specific to the test you take. Check the packaging on the test before taking it.
Basal Body Temperature Charting
Basal body temperature can predict and suggest ovulation. This only works if you have been taking your temperature in the days prior to ovulation. Temperature elevation begins one or two days after ovulation and persists for several days.
Temperature elevation identifies prior ovulation it does not diagnose pregnancy.
Don’t Miss: Can I Drink Breakfast Essentials While Pregnant
Early Pregnancy Signs: Heartburn Gas Tender Breasts And More
Think you might be pregnant? Here are the most common pregnancy signs in the first month.
When youre hoping to be pregnant and you havent missed your period yetor its a day or two lateits pretty easy to interpret nearly any physical symptom as a sign of pregnancy. Its not uncommon to feel symptoms in the first week or two of your pregnancyor even earlier. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms from the moment of conception, says Karen Nordahl, a general practitioner and obstetrician in Vancouver and co-author of Fit to Deliver. Usually, this is second- or third-time moms who remember a particular sensation, such as increased gas. But many first-time moms miss these early pregnancy signs because the very first symptoms arent necessarily the ones we associate with having a baby on the way. So, yes, while some women experience nausea or hypersensitivity to smells, these seven symptoms are among the most common during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Should You Take A Pregnancy Test
You may very well answer “yes” to every single question about potentially being pregnant and still not want to take a pregnancy test. It’s understandable to be nervous about getting a result that you’re not hoping for .
The urine pregnancy tests that you can get at the local drug store are nearly identical to the one at a doctor’s office, and just as accurate when used as directed. Something to consider: The sooner you know if you are pregnant or not, the sooner you can take the next steps that are right for you.
Read Also: Can I Use Vagisil Wash While Pregnant
Were You Using Birth Control
Birth control is the best way to prevent unintended pregnancy. Contraception is available in many forms, including birth control pills, condoms, diaphragms, Depo shots, IUDs, etc. Each has its own effectiveness rate, but all are more effective than doing nothing. That said, birth control is not 100% foolproof.
For example, were you using it correctly? This means, for example, taking a pill every day at the same time, or using a condom every time you had sex. If you weren’t using birth control correctly, it greatly increases the likelihood that you could be pregnant. If you were, there is still a chance that you could be pregnant, because nothing is 100% effective against pregnancy .
Additionally, there are many things that can potentially interfere with birth control. Some medications taken can nullify the protective effects of the pill. If you have a condom slip or break, you have a greater likelihood of pregnancy.
