Step back from the supermarket shelves; you should wait until the first day of a missed period before you do a pregnancy test (Tommy’s, 2017). This is usually about two weeks after you think you conceived. So get your diary out and start counting.
Too keen to wait? Some tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken earlier (American Pregnancy Association, 2018). This might be four or five days before your period is due (NHS Choices, 2018).
If you can though, it’s most reliable to wait for the first day of your missed period. And that way you won’t get any upset from an inaccurate result.
Is a home pregnancy test reliable?
Yep, they’re around 97% accurate when done correctly but sometimes you might get a false positive result. The results can be wrong if a test is done too early. If you get a negative but still have pregnancy symptoms, take another test a week later (American Pregnancy Association, 2018).
Is it better to go to my doctor for a pregnancy test?
You can do a pregnancy test at your GP or chemist but it’s much more common now to buy a home test. This means you’ll get the news in your own bathroom.
The test can be done in two ways. Either dipping the end of the pregnancy test in the stream as you wee or into the wee collected in a container.
How do pregnancy tests work?
Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropic (HCG) (Tommy’s, 2017) which is an early sign of pregnancy. If you are pregnant, HCG will appear in your blood and wee as early as 10 days after conception (Medline Plus, 2018).
How will I know when I conceived?
If you get a positive test result on the first day of your missed period, it’s probably about two weeks since you conceived. Some pregnancy tests can also give an estimation of when you might have conceived based on the level of HCG too (NHS Choices, 2018).
Can I be pregnant but still have a period?
You definitely could think you’ve had a period. It’s common to experience light bleeding or spotting in the early weeks of pregnancy when the egg implants. But there are likely to be differences in texture, colour or amount of blood (Healthline, 2017).
I am trying to get pregnant, is there anything I could do or should be doing while trying?
You should take folic acid supplements (400 micrograms daily) while you’re trying to get pregnant. Although you might be eating foods with it in, it’s still recommended to take the supplements in order to reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect like spina bifida (NICE, 2014).
I’m shattered – could this be an early symptom of pregnancy?
Yep, feeling tired and fatigue are common early signs of pregnancy. If you’re noticeably more exhausted than usual, it could be a sign that you’re pregnant (Mayo Clinic, 2017; Healthline, 2018).
What about feeling sick in the early stages of pregnancy?
Nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms of pregnancy (Koren et al, 2002). Although you might have heard friends refer to morning sickness, it can occur at any time during the day or night too. Don’t worry though: for most women, sickness becomes a lot less severe in the second trimester (Healthline, 2018).
My senses of taste and smell are all over the place, could this be an early pregnancy symptom too?
Yep, this is another one. Some women get a strange metallic taste in their mouth during early pregnancy (Patient, 2017). You might be more sensitive to smell, particularly of cooking or certain food or go off certain foods you used to love (Healthline, 2018).
What about tender breasts? I feel as if my breasts are more sensitive.
And this one… In early pregnancy, hormonal changes can make your boobs feel sensitive, sore and swollen. This symptom will usually go away after a few weeks of pregnancy though (Mayo Clinic, 2017; Healthline, 2018).
I have to go to the toilet more often – is that a sign?
Oh yes, dashing to the loo more than often can be early sign that you’re pregnant. During pregnancy your body increases the amount of blood it pumps around the body. That means the kidneys process more fluid than usual which leads to more fluid in your bladder (Healthline, 2018). For more information on early pregnancy signs and symptoms.
Further information
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
The HER Foundation provides information about hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
American Pregnancy Association. (2017) Understanding pregnancy tests: urine and blood. Available from: //americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/understanding-pregnancy-tests/ [Accessed 15th October 2018].
Healthline. (2017) When you should take a pregnancy test. Available from: //www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/five-signs-to-take-pregnancy-test [Accessed 15th October 2018].
Healthline. (2018) Early pregnancy symptoms. Available from: //www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/early-symptoms-timeline [Accessed 15th October 2018].
Koren G, Boskovic R, Hard M, Maltepe C, Navioz Y, Einarson A. (2002) Motherisk- PUQE (pregnancy-unique quantification or emesis and nausea) scoring system for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 186(5):S228-31.
Mayo Clinic. (2017) Getting pregnant. Available from: //www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853 [Accessed 15th October 2018].
MedlinePlus. (2018) Pregnancy test. Available from: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003432.htm [Accessed 15th October 2018].
NHS Choices. (2018) How soon can I do a pregnancy test? Available from: //www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/how-soon-can-i-do-a-pregnancy-test/ [Accessed 15th October 2018].
NICE. (2014) Maternal and child nutrition: Public health guideline [PH11]. Available from: //www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph11/chapter/1-Key-priorities#vitamin-d [Accessed 15th October 2018].
Patient. (2017) Early pregnancy signs and symptoms. Available from: //patient.info/health/early-pregnancy-signs-and-symptoms [Accessed 15th October 2018].
Tommy’s. (2017) How to know when you are pregnant. Available from: //www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-pregnancy/how-know-when-you-are-pregnant [Accessed 15th October 2018].
Tommy’s. (2018) Taking a pregnancy test. Available from: //www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-pregnancy/taking-pregnancy-test [Accessed 15th October 2018].
Many early signs of pregnancy can be nonspecific and easily mistaken for other causes. For this reason, it may be difficult to know when or whether to take a pregnancy test.
In this article, we list 11 early signs that can indicate a person should take a pregnancy test.
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A pregnancy test will not show positive as soon as a person becomes pregnant. It takes time for the body to release enough of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to show up on a test. This will be around 12–15 days after ovulation if a person has a 28-day cycle.
Some medical bodies suggest taking the test on the first day a period should have occurred. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that the results on this day may not be accurate for 10–20% of people. Instead, they suggest taking a test 1–2 weeks after missing a period. Some tests are more sensitive, however, and a person can use them earlier.
Another option is to wait at least 21 days after having sex without birth control.
Blood tests take place in a medical office, and they can show if a person is pregnant around 6–8 days after ovulation.
What are homemade pregnancy tests, and do they work?
If a person is pregnant, it is best to find out as soon as possible. Not only can they start planning the next steps, but there may also be health considerations and lifestyle changes to address.
Some people notice early signs of pregnancy, such as fatigue or breast tenderness, before they miss a period.
The early signs include:
- a missed period
- breast changes
- light bleeding
- cramps
- nausea and vomiting
- fatigue
- headache
- food aversions or cravings
- changes in bathroom habits
- mood changes
- missed birth control
1. Missed period
Often, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period.
There are many reasons for missed periods, but if a person is sexually active, a missed period can signal pregnancy.
Most pregnancy tests are very accurate when taken after a missed period, but sometimes the hormone levels might not be high enough to trigger a positive result.
If someone misses a period and a pregnancy test is negative, they should repeat the test after a few days.
2. Breast changes
Breast changes are common in early pregnancy. These are due to hormonal changes that eventually prepare the body for lactation.
Common changes are:
- breast tenderness
- swollen breasts
- the nipples and areolas becoming larger or slightly darker
Which breast changes are a sign of pregnancy?
3. Light bleeding
Around 25% of people experience implantation bleeding, which is light bleeding that happens when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall.
Implantation bleeding tends to be lighter and shorter than a menstrual period.
Implantation bleeding happens around 6–12 days after conception, but light spotting is not uncommon during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
4. Cramps
Cramps are common before or during a menstrual period, but some people also get cramps when implantation occurs.
If cramps occur around or before a period is due, but there is no bleeding, or the bleeding is much lighter than usual, it may be a good idea to take a pregnancy test.
How do I know if cramps are a sign of a period or pregnancy?
5. Nausea and vomiting
Morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, may start 2–8 weeks after conception.
Nausea does not just happen in the morning. It may occur at any time during the day or night.
If nausea happens for no apparent reason, especially with other possible signs of pregnancy, it may be a good idea to take a pregnancy test.
6. Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of early pregnancy, and a person may feel the need to rest or nap for no apparent reason.
It is typically due to changes in the hormone progesterone.
Fatigue typically eases in the second trimester, and the person may find they have more energy again.
7. Headache
Hormonal changes may also trigger headaches in early pregnancy. They typically ease over time.
A person can take paracetamol for a short time to treat a headache, but it is best to check with a doctor or midwife first. Other pain relief drugs may not be safe to take.
From week 20 of pregnancy and after, headaches can be a sign of preeclampsia, a potentially life threatening condition that needs urgent medical attention.
What does headache mean in pregnancy, and how can I manage it?
8. Food aversions or cravings
Unusual cravings and food aversions are common in the first trimester, though they sometimes persist through the entire pregnancy.
Some people crave nonfood items, such as dirt or ice. This is known as pica. Anyone who craves things that are not food should consult a healthcare professional.
A person may also find they no longer enjoy foods they previously enjoyed or that their taste and smell become more sensitive.
Do food cravings only happen during pregnancy?
9. Changes in bathroom habits
Bowel and bladder symptoms can appear in early pregnancy. A person might experience frequent urges to urinate during the day and night. They may also have constipation, which affects 11–38% of people at some time during pregnancy, according to 2012 research.
In the early stages of pregnancy, the rise in hCG levels boosts blood flow to the pelvic area, increasing the need to urinate.
Learn more about frequent urination in pregnancy.
10. Feeling “different” and mood changes
Anecdotal evidence suggests many pregnant people report feeling “different” early in pregnancy, with some feeling an awareness that they are pregnant before taking a test. However, there is no scientific evidence to confirm this.
Physiological and hormonal changes during pregnancy may cause a person to feel different. Feeling different may also be due to mood changes, which can begin within a few weeks after conception.
Anyone who believes that they may be pregnant should take a test for confirmation.
Is it premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy?
11. Missed birth control
A person should consider taking a pregnancy test if they are sexually active and have not used birth control within the last month.
Many birth control options effectively prevent pregnancy, but a broken condom or missed birth control pill can increase the chance of conception.
Pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone hCG, which the body starts producing after conception. According to 2014 research, hCG is detectable in the blood around 8 days after conception. As the pregnancy progresses, levels rise by around 50% a day. HGC is detectable in urine a few days later than in the blood.
Tests for home use are urine tests. A person will need to go to a healthcare facility for a blood test.
A range of pregnancy tests are available for home use, and some are more sensitive than others. This means they can detect hCG at lower levels.
Many tests claim to be 99% accurate, but experts note that not all of them undergo rigorous scientific testing. A person may also get a false-negative result if they take the test too early, do not follow the instructions precisely, or do not handle the test as the manufacturer intended.
Some medical bodies suggest taking a test on the first day of a missed period, but many people do not know when their period should arrive, for example, if they experience irregular menstruation.
When taking a test, a person should:
- read the instructions carefully
- ensure they handle the test as advised
- try to avoid taking the test too early
The FDA notes that a positive test is usually but not always accurate. If a test is negative, they suggest avoiding alcohol and other substances that may be harmful to a fetus and repeating the test at a later date or seeking medical advice.
Why might a person get a false-positive pregnancy test result?
Some people experience menstrual irregularities, breast changes, and other pregnancy-type symptoms without being pregnant. These can happen for a variety of reasons.
Possible biological factors include hormonal changes due to another health condition. Psychological and social factors can sometimes play a role.
In rare cases, a person can have pseudocyesis, sometimes called false pregnancy, where they firmly believe themselves to be pregnant and have signs of pregnancy without being pregnant. This condition is not well understood and can happen for various reasons.
Anyone who has signs of pregnancy but is unlikely to be pregnant, for example, because of menopause, should seek medical advice. They may have a health condition that needs medical treatment.
If a pregnancy test result is positive, a person should contact a midwife or doctor. They can confirm the result with a blood test or schedule an early ultrasound.
If the person is pregnant, they should start prenatal care or discuss other options as early as possible.
If a person misses a period but is not pregnant, a healthcare professional can help diagnose any underlying cause.
The earliest sign of pregnancy is often a missed period, but breast changes, fatigue, headaches, and other changes can also appear within the first few weeks.
Anyone who has had sex without birth control and experiences early signs of pregnancy should do a test.
Anyone who has signs of pregnancy but is sure they cannot be pregnant should seek medical advice. The healthcare professional may wish to rule out other health conditions or provide treatment if required.