“Am I Pregnant?” — When to Test, What to Expect, and What to Do Next

If you’ve never been pregnant before, chances you may have questions about how and when to take a pregnancy test and what’s involved in doing so. So, here are my answers to some of the most common questions I get about pregnancy testing.

When should I take a pregnancy test?

The simple answer is usually as soon as possible, because knowing that you’re pregnant can help you make decisions and changes to your lifestyle early in your pregnancy. However, no pregnancy test will show up positive immediately after conception. It actually takes a little time for your body to release enough of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) that rises when you become pregnant. It’s responsible for the positive result on an at-home pregnancy test. Typically, levels of this hormone will be measurable on a pregnancy test about 12-15 days after you have ovulated.

Some health providers say that you can test at home on the day your period should have started. However, even this may be a bit early for some women who may not have a positive test until a week or two after a missed period. If you’ve been using birth control, it’s recommended that you test after three weeks of having unprotected sex. To further complicate this timeline, some at-home tests are more sensitive than others, and therefore can be used earlier.

How do I take a pregnancy test?

There are actually two ways. One is through a blood test at a doctor’s office. This kind of test is the fastest way to tell you if you’re pregnant—in only 6 to 8 days after you’ve ovulated—however, it may take a few additional days to get the results.

Many women choose to use at-home kits because they’re private, affordable, accessible, can be done anywhere—and they provide immediate results. The downside is that while these tests are about 99% accurate when used correctly, they can yield false results if they’re used too early or incorrectly.

While a pregnancy test at your doctor’s office is done through a blood draw, at home tests measure the level of hCG in your urine. Therefore, to complete a test at home, you will either be instructed to put a test stick into your urine stream or place a stick into a container of collected urine. Every kit comes with directions and everything you need to perform the pregnancy test.

How accurate are at home pregnancy tests?

Most tests say that they are 99% accurate on the day that you would be expecting your period, which is typically in 12 to 16 days after ovulating. However, at home tests can vary in the level of hCG that they can detect. Because hCG levels continually rise during those first few weeks of your pregnancy, the tests that measure it at the lower level will show a positive result earlier. Test kits that detect hCG at lower levels say early detection or high sensitivity on the package.

In addition to taking a pregnancy test, are there early noticeable signs that I might be pregnant?

Yes, you may notice changes in the early days of a pregnancy. Some of them are fairly obvious and others can be subtle. They include:

• Missing your period. While there are many reasons for a missed or late period, not having one can be an early and apparent sign that you’re pregnant.
• Fatigue is also common, and is due to changes in progesterone levels in your body. The fatigue typically gets better after the first trimester.
• Nausea and vomiting may begin as early as two weeks after conception, and is also due to hormonal fluctuations. While called morning sickness, the nausea can occur at any time of the day.
• Breast changes also occur in the early weeks of your pregnancy. This can include tenderness, swelling in your breasts and changes in the size and appearance of your nipples and areolas.
• About a quarter of women experience light bleeding when the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. This implantation bleeding occurs early, usually before you know you’re pregnant—about 6-12 days after conception.
• You may also notice frequent headaches due to fluctuating hormones.
• An increase in how often you have to urinate is also common in the early weeks. It’s caused by the boost in hCG levels.
• While science can’t confirm this, many women say they know they’re pregnant even before taking a pregnancy test, because they feel different. This may be due to hormonal changes going on in your body during the first days and weeks of a pregnancy.
• Unfortunately, the early signs of pregnancy can be confusing because for some women they are similar to the early signs of your period about to start. So signs and symptoms alone are not the most accurate way to confirm a pregnancy.

What role does acupuncture play in the early days of a pregnancy?

Many women have chosen to use acupuncture to support both their fertility and pregnancy. That’s because not only is acupuncture a natural treatment, but it’s also an effective way to treat a variety of symptoms and health conditions. In the early days of your pregnancy, acupuncture can be a good way to handle symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and fatigue. It can also be a valuable part of your strategy to maintain your health throughout your entire pregnancy.

Can acupuncture also help me become pregnant?

If you find that you are not pregnant this cycle, acupuncture can be an important component of your fertility plan. A large number of physicians who specialize in fertility treatments recommend acupuncture as a supportive therapy because it can boost your chances for success. And a great deal of research has documented that acupuncture is an effective way to alleviate stress and improve your mood, which can ease those days when you’re waiting for results or undergoing fertility treatments.

One of the most satisfying aspects of my acupuncture practice is playing a role in my patients’ pregnancy journey, no matter what stage they may be in. If you’d like more information on how acupuncture can play a positive role in that journey, please contact me.

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