The ability to detect a pregnancy is sometimes misunderstood. If a woman has just ovulated, it might be impossible to tell yet whether she is pregnant or not. Even after her egg is fertilized, it may take up to six days before the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. Only when this implantation takes place can the signs of pregnancy be observed.
Generally speaking, the pregnancy cannot be identified until about 14 days past ovulation or "14 dpo" (it may also be referred to as "14dpo"). Often, it is about 14 dpo when a woman might notice some early pregnancy symptoms, and usually the time is around your first missed menstrual period. Around this time, a blood or urine test can detect the pregnancy.
Part 1: What Happens After Ovulation?
The luteal phase is a period following ovulation and ends about 14 dpo. However, some women can experience a luteal phase that that is shorter than 12 days, which makes fertilization more difficult. It is during this luteal phase that a woman's body is being prepped for pregnancy. Preparation includes thickening of the uterine lining and peaking of progesterone and estrogen hormone levels.
Assuming the egg is fertilized during the luteal phase, the HCG hormone will start to increase and is usually detected in blood and urine pregnancy tests. Even though doctors consider the beginning of pregnancy as the last day of a woman's last period, by the time a woman realizes she is pregnant, she is actually one to two weeks pregnant.
If the corpus luteum, a structure in the fallopian tubes, does not last until 14dpo, but the egg has been fertilized, there may be a miscarriage in the form of a heavier than normal period. This happens due to insufficient progesterone.
Part 2: Possible 14 DPO Symptoms
Are you 14 dpo? Not sure? The following is a list of 14 dpo symptoms:
Trouble sleeping, restlessness
A feeling of "twitching" in either or both ovaries
Soreness of the nipples
Fatigue
A “tugging” feeling in the middle of your stomach, behind your belly button.
Irritability
Nausea, but no vomiting
Unusual thirst
White or slightly yellow cervical mucus with the consistency of hand lotion.
Unusual craving for sweet or sour foods
Cervical position that is neither low nor high
Part 3: Pregnancy Rate of Taking a Test at 14 DPO
Pregnancy Test Result After 14 DPO | Percentage |
Very Faint Positive | 12 % |
Faint Positive | 22.2% |
Standard Positive | 30.2% |
Strong Positive | 18.9% |
Blood Positive | 4% |
Negative | 12.2% |
Evap | 0.5% |
Part 4: Can I Take a Pregnancy Test?
Think you might be pregnant, but when can you take a pregnant test? Will it be too early? Actually, it's still possible a pregnancy test can give you a positive result as soon as four days past your period due date or seven days after conception. However, the earlier the test is used, the less accurate it will be.
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