Can i take a pregnancy test 5 days after conception

Although a pregnancy test is capable of detecting pregnancy days before women miss their period, there are symptoms that can help one detect a pregnancy too. The most commonly known sign of pregnancy is a missed period, 15 days after ovulation, also known as DPO.  A lot of women can even notice symptoms at a time as soon as 5 Days Past Ovulation (DPO).

Can You Experience Pregnancy Symptoms at 5 DPO?

If a woman is trying to conceive, she can be particularly sensitive to what is happening with her body as she will be on alert for symptoms of early pregnancy. While some women experience these symptoms as early as 4 DPO, some do not experience any changes until much later.

It is possible that you might experience these signs as early as 5 DPO, but in most cases, it is highly unlikely that this happens. Since most of these symptoms such as breast tenderness or fatigue also occur along with hormonal changes during menstruation or ovulation, it can get confusing.

Implantation might have already happened at 5 DPO, or it is likely that it can happen soon. Based on the time of conception, some women might feel some symptoms of pregnancy this early on.

You need to note that pregnancy tests may not very accurate at 5 DPO, although most women go on to find out that their early symptoms were because they were pregnant.

Early Signs and Symptoms of 5 DPO

  • Breast tenderness
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Food Cravings
  • Food Aversion
  • Urinating More Frequently
  • Mood Swings
  • Morning Sickness

What is Happening in the Womb at 5 Days Past Ovulation?

At 5 DPO, if the sperm reaches the egg and fertilizes it, the cells in the newly formed zygote start to multiply and create a lump of cells called a blastocyst. These cells go on to multiply as the blastocyst proceeds to go down the fallopian tubes and into the uterus. Once it reaches the uterine wall, the blastocyst get access to nutrients through the blood after attaching itself to the walls of the uterus. At 5 DPO, the blastocyst might be traveling to the uterine wall or already be connected to it.

Once it is attached, the blastocyst starts becoming a foetus, and the pregnancy is assumed to be underway.

Some of the signs that women might notice are Implantation cramping and bleeding, where the blood flow is comparatively lighter than their usual menstrual flow, raised basal body temperature, where the temperature of their body might increase when trying to conceive. In addition to this, they might also experience breast tenderness, fatigue, headaches, food cravings, food aversion, frequent urination, mood swings, and morning sickness.

Also, Learn More – What is the Difference between PCOD vs PCOS?

If you think you might be pregnant, you can note these signs and discuss them with your doctor. The level of hCG or the pregnancy hormone will soon rise in your blood and urine, to allow an accurate reading of your pregnancy test.

While a pregnancy test is a go to way for finding out if you are pregnant, there are a few symptoms that a woman undergoes, that indicate she is pregnant.

The most commonly known sign of pregnancy is a missed period, 15 days after ovulation, also known as DPO.  Some women may notice symptoms as early as 5 DPO, although they won’t know for certain that they are pregnant until much later. Some of the early symptoms are breast tenderness, mood changes, and implantation bleeding or cramps, which can occur 5–6 days after the sperm fertilizes the egg.

Also, Read – Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy Diet

Apollo Cradle Specialist

Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, M.D.

Home pregnancy tests can be very accurate if used properly.

Since the earliest recorded history, women have had a strong desire to know whether they are pregnant as early as possible. The body goes through countless changes in the first trimester, and one of the first indicators is a change in the hormones that leave the body through urine.

Ancient Egyptians relied on a form of urine testing to determine pregnancy status way back in 1350 BCE. A woman urinated daily on wheat or barley seeds and if the plants grew, it meant she was pregnant. Modern-day validation suggests that test was about 70% accurate in detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by a woman’s body soon after implantation of a fertilized egg inside the uterus.

Thankfully, urine-based pregnancy tests have evolved substantially. Women now have access to advanced tests that can detect a pregnancy as early as eight days after ovulation. But while many home pregnancy tests are marketed as simple and effective, getting accurate results comes down to how early in your ovulation cycle you take the test.

Ovulation generally occurs around day 15 of a 28-day cycle. In a normal pregnancy, an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube and then travels into the uterus, where it implants in the uterine wall. After implantation, production of hCG starts from cells in the developing placenta (tissue that will feed the fetus). Trace levels of hCG can be detected as early as eight days after ovulation.

That means you could get positive results several days before you expect your period to start. However, the first part of your cycle is more variable than the second, making it tricky to determine the best time for an early test.

“Thankfully, pregnancy tests have evolved substantially since the 20th century. Women now have access to advanced tests that can detect a pregnancy as early as eight days after ovulation.”

When to take a home pregnancy test

The length of time from the first day of a period to ovulation can vary by several days from month to month. Sexual activity around ovulation leads to the possibility of fertilization of an released egg by sperm. But even then, the time frame for a fertilized egg to implant can vary. And hCG isn’t produced until after implantation has occurred.

For the most accurate results, we recommend testing in the morning on the day you expect your period to start. This allows for variability in the timing of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation. Testing in the morning provides a more concentrated urine sample.

Follow the directions carefully to get the best results. Before you take the test, make sure you understand what the readout for “pregnant” and “not pregnant” will be. Some tests still use two lines to indicate you are pregnant and one to indicate that you aren’t. However, many tests have switched to words such as “yes” and “no”, or “pregnant” and “not pregnant” for additional clarity.

Related reading: Is it OK to use a hot tub during early pregnancy?

Pregnancy test accuracy

Each type of pregnancy test is designed to detect a set minimum level of hCG. This is why pregnancy test manufacturers advertise the way they do: “Know four days sooner,” or “Accurate up to six days before a missed period.” However, while home pregnancy tests are quite accurate – many boast a 99% detection rate based on laboratory testing results – marketing claims can be misleading.

For example, a 99% detection rate means a test can detect hCG 99% of the time on the day you miss your period. These statistics also assume that women are testing at the optimal time and following all instructions correctly.

Many home pregnancy tests available today are midstream urine dip tests, which are the traditional “pee-on-a-stick” tests and are fairly easy to use. There also are tests in which you pee into a cup and dip a test strip into the urine. The New York Times published a story ranking the best home pregnancy tests, citing a midstream test with an ergonomic grip as the easiest to use and most accurate.

Research has shown that average test results when women used the dip tests matched lab test results just 70% of the time, whereas 99% of women typically can get an accurate reading from a midstream test.

False positive and negative results

When a test result is inaccurate, it’s either a false negative (the test says you are not pregnant, but you are) or a false positive (the test says you are pregnant, but you aren’t). Several factors can cause false negative results:

  • Having too dilute urine after drinking a lot of water or testing later in the day.
  • Testing too soon when there has not been enough time for a fertilized egg to implant and start hCG production.
  • Using a pregnancy test that doesn’t detect lower levels of hCG. You can check the package insert for more information about the level at which the test will be positive.

Sometimes an egg will implant briefly but will not be sustained. This is also called a chemical pregnancy – hCG is produced, but the pregnancy doesn’t continue. A test performed several days before an expected period can show a positive result, but the woman still gets her period soon or on time. Rarely, certain tumors can produce hCG, causing a pregnancy test to be positive even when a woman is not pregnant.

Related reading: It's not your fault: Understanding miscarriage

When to see a doctor

Most women who have a positive pregnancy test should wait a week or two before calling the Ob/Gyn office for a pregnancy blood test or ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. We suggest waiting because the rate of early pregnancy loss is high, and it’s possible that you might have had a chemical pregnancy.

However, women with a history of ectopic pregnancy or current abdominal pain should call the doctor right away to be examined. Ectopic pregnancies implant outside of the uterus and produce hCG, resulting in positive pregnancy tests. However, these pregnancies can cause abdominal bleeding and prompt medical care is necessary. Women who have congenital heart defects or other chronic physical or mental health conditions should also see a doctor right away because treatment plans or medications might need to be altered to protect the woman and the fetus.

Advances in home pregnancy tests give women greater insight into what’s going on in their bodies sooner than ever before. No matter what your childbearing plans might be, it’s essential to get quick, accurate results at home to plan your next steps accordingly.

To visit with an Ob/Gyn, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.

6 ways to embrace a more positive body image during and after pregnancy