At this stage tiny amounts of the pregnancy hormone, hCG, start to appear in your urine. It is this hormone that all home pregnancy tests detect and some tests are so sensitive that they can be used up to 6 days before your missed period (which is 5 days before your expected period).
In many cases, you might get a positive result from an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception. For a more accurate result, wait until after you've missed your period to take a test. Remember, if you take a test too soon, it could be negative even if you're pregnant.
The most sensitive tests on the market can potentially give you a positive result four to five days before your period is due, meaning you don't necessarily have to wait for a missed period, or watch for other pregnancy symptoms, to find out whether you are pregnant.
The Clearblue® Early Detection Pregnancy Test provides early detection of hCG and can be used 6 days before the missed period (5 days before the expected period). The test is over 99% accurate from the day of the expected period8.
Things like missing your period, sore or tender breasts, feeling more tired and nausea (morning sickness) are common symptoms of early pregnancy. Some people have symptoms of pregnancy before they miss their period. Take an at-home pregnancy test if you think you might be pregnant.
Unfortunately, no matter how much we feel that we may know our bodies, pregnancy cannot be self-diagnosed. The only way to know whether or not you're pregnant is through a pregnancy test.
An increase in vaginal discharge can be a sign of pregnancy. It is typically a thin clear, or milky white liquid. Changes to discharge appearance can indicate several health conditions. Anyone with a vagina can experience discharge from this part of the body.
An increase in discharge can be a sign of early pregnancy. This discharge may look similar to the discharge you experience when you aren't pregnant, but it may be slightly more yellow and have a sticky texture.
Almost immediately after conception, your vagina's walls start to thicken, which can cause a white, milky discharge that may continue throughout your pregnancy. The discharge is typically harmless. If the discharge is accompanied by a smell or a burning or itching sensation, contact your physician immediately.
During pregnancy, dehydration can cause urine to become darker and more concentrated, leading to a yellow or orange color.
Don't Drink A Lot Of Water Before Taking The Test
Diluted urine tends to also have diluted hCG levels which can skew the test results. Take a test when you naturally need to pee. This way, you'll avoid diluting your hCG level and getting a false 'Not Pregnant' result.
You may initially experience cramping in your lower abdomen or lower back even before you know you're pregnant. This is due to implantation, which is the process of the fertilized egg implanting in the uterus. You may feel a small twinge or sharper cramps that may double you over at times.
Pseudocyesis, or false pregnancy, is when a person thinks they are pregnant when they are not. People with pseudocyesis have pregnancy symptoms, but tests will confirm there's no pregnancy. Healthcare providers believe psychological and hormonal factors may cause it.
At-home pregnancy tests
The first (and easiest) way to determine if you're pregnant is to take an at-home pregnancy test. These over-the-counter products are quick, accurate, and readily accessible.
Morning sickness is another common symptom of early pregnancy, but it usually crops up between weeks 4 and 9. Other symptoms like gas, fatigue, breast tenderness, moodiness, and frequent urination can also occur during these early weeks.
Once the embryo is implanted, it starts releasing hormones that prepare your body for baby, turning off your period, building up the placenta and possibly making you feel crampy and tired.
Again, some women have had positive urine tests as early as 2 to 3 days after implantation and others have had to wait up to a few weeks. It all depends on pregnancy hormone levels and how fast your body produces them.
You may notice signs that you've ovulated, such as changes in your cervical mucus or basal body temperature. However, most people don't feel fertilization. You may feel a dull ache or experience light spotting several days after conception. This could be from the fertilized egg implanting in your uterus.
It is this hormone that all home pregnancy tests detect. Some early pregnancy tests, such as the Clearblue® Early Digital Pregnancy Test and the Clearblue® Early Detection Pregnancy Test, can tell you whether you are pregnant as early as 6 days before your missed period (5 days before you expect your period)1.
A 'Pregnant' (positive) result will remain on the display for up to 6 months.
If you test too early, a test may not pick up enough hCG to turn positive. If you're testing before the day of your expected period, you may see a negative result – even if you're pregnant – if: Your test wasn't sensitive enough for early testing.
The most common symptoms include: mood swings, breast soreness, bloating, acne, cravings for certain foods, increased hunger and thirst, and fatigue. Other symptoms may include constipation or diarrhea, irritability, and feeling blue or down in the dumps.