Pregnancy

Whether you’re confused about timing, accuracy, or everything in between, there are a lot of questions surrounding over the counter pregnancy tests. 

How early can you take an at-home pregnancy test?

You might be eager to check for that double line, but waiting for the right time to take a pregnancy test will give you the most precise result. According to Planned Parenthood, an over the counter pregnancy test is most accurate when you take one after a missed period. That’s because home pregnancy tests check your urine for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone your body makes when you’re pregnant. This hormone increases with time, so if you take a test too early, it may not detect the small amount of HCG present at the very beginning of pregnancy. 

If you have irregular periods and don’t know when your period is supposed to show up, take a test three weeks after having penis-in-vagina sex. Some home pregnancy tests can detect HCG in your urine as soon as 10 days after unprotected sex, but the results are not always reliable. If you choose to test before your expected period, make sure to retest after your period is late. 

How accurate are at-home pregnancy tests?

Like we said, some pregnancy tests test HCG in the urine. When used correctly, the OWH says home tests are almost 99% accurate at detecting pregnancy. If you go to a clinic or doctor’s office, the physician may do a blood test, which detects the presence and amount of HCG in your blood. Blood tests are more sensitive, so they are considered more accurate than urine tests, especially when they’re done early, according to the Cleveland Clinic. On average, a blood test can detect HCG levels 9 to 12 days after conception.

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A missed period and a positive test are the most reliable markers of pregnancy. But if you’re days away from your next period and wondering if that twinge of pain you felt or that tiny spot of blood in your undies means anything, you might want to consult this list of early pregnancy symptoms:

• Bleeding or spotting that’s lighter than typical menstrual blood
• Sore, tender, or swollen breasts
• Nipples that seem bigger, darker, or different in texture
• Heavy fatigue that feels different than typical day-to-day tiredness
• Nausea and/or vomiting that happens any time of day (a.k.a. morning sickness)
• Mood swings you can’t seem to explain
• Frequent urination 
• Sudden food cravings or aversions
• Headaches

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Pregnancy might feel like it lasts a lifetime, but it’s actually a series of three short stages known as trimesters, each with distinct milestones and features. In general, pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). This extra time accounts for the two weeks at the beginning when you’re not actually pregnant yet. 

One term you may hear is “gestational age,” which is how far along you are in a pregnancy. Your doctor uses it to measure pregnancy from the date of your last period, not from conception. (Most people can’t pinpoint the exact day they conceived anyway.)

First trimester (Weeks 1–12)

What’s going on: During your first trimester, hormonal changes affect nearly all the organ systems in your body, per OWH. Though you may not feel the fetus growing, a lot is happening: The fetus’s heart, brain, sex organs, and spinal cord are beginning to form. You may see arm and leg buds on an ultrasound. This is also when the heart starts beating, nerves and muscles begin to work together, and the fetus begins to resemble a human.

Fetus size: By the end of week 12, the fetus is roughly two inches long and weighs about half an ounce, per ACOG.

What you might feel: Most people feel discomfort at some point in their pregnancy. In the first trimester, this is mostly cramping, like mild menstrual cramps, and/or generalized abdominal discomfort from gas, constipation, nausea, and vomiting, Amy Wetter, MD, an ob-gyn at Northside Women’s Specialists in Atlanta, tells SELF. Your breasts also start to become larger and more tender, and you may notice an increase in urination, fatigue, mood swings, food cravings, loss of appetite, or heartburn due to acid reflux.

Second trimester (Weeks 13–28)

What’s going on: The second trimester is exciting because you may feel the fetus begin to move. The fetus is growing, its skin is forming, and by the end of week 28, it can make sucking motions, swallow, and hear sounds. The fetus’s taste buds form, its hair grows, and it sleeps and wakes regularly, per ACOG.

Fetus size: By the end of week 28, the fetus is about 15 inches long and weighs 2.5 pounds. 

What you might feel: In the second trimester, Dr. Wetter says it’s more common for gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea to improve. However, sharp pains and feelings of pulling, stretching, and tugging in the lower abdomen—called round ligament pain—may develop as the fetus puts more pressure on your soft tissues. You may also notice an increased appetite, less fatigue, a growing abdomen (that can come with itchiness, aches, and stretch marks), brown patches on your face, and swelling in the feet, ankles, fingers, or face.

Third trimester (Weeks 29–40)

What’s going on: The fetus is really getting active now, and it’s common to feel a lot of movements like kicks and jabs. The fetus’s bones are fully formed, its eyes can open and close, its lungs practice breathing movements, and it’s simply getting bigger. As your due date gets closer, you will notice the fetus drops and puts extra pressure on your bladder. This is also the time the fetus may turn into a head-down position for birth.  

Fetus size: By the end of week 40, the average fetus is about 20 inches long and may weigh between six to nine pounds.

What you might feel: In the third trimester, Dr. Wetter says it’s very common to have pelvic pressure or discomfort and back pain due to the growing fetus and changes in your anatomy, including laxity of ligaments. You may also experience shortness of breath, relentless heartburn, and an increased urge to urinate. Colostrum (premilk) may leak from your nipples, your navel may stick out, you may have trouble sleeping, and you may experience false contractions (Braxton-Hicks) or real contractions.  

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Aches and pains are a common part of pregnancy. As the uterus enlarges to accommodate a growing fetus, your ligaments and muscles stretch in new ways, and that can cause pain in your pelvis and back, among other parts of your body, Dr. Setton says. “There are many different forms and locations and intensities that pain can take in pregnancy,” he says. “If you have pain that is worsening or that doesn’t resolve with basic conservative measures for relief, such as taking antacids for reflux or hot packs for mild pain, contact your doctor for guidance.”

There are also potential complications that can occur during pregnancy, including preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening increase in blood pressure; gestational diabetes, which can lead to preterm labor; poor fetal growth; and placental abnormalities, Dr. Setton says. Pregnant people also have a higher risk of blood clots and more severe illness from certain infectious diseases, like influenza and COVID-19. Smoking cigarettes and using alcohol or drugs during pregnancy increase your risk of potential complications. 

Pregnant people who are not receiving routine prenatal care also face a higher risk for complications, Dr. Setton notes. “It’s always best to speak with your health care provider about what your specific risks may be and what can be done to modify or mitigate that risk,” especially if you have preexisting medical conditions that can potentially complicate your pregnancy, he adds.

Caring for your physical and emotional well-being can make a big difference during pregnancy. Getting routine prenatal exams, following up with tests and procedures, and communicating with your doctor can help keep you healthy, happy, and ready to welcome your new baby. 

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