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When to Test?
by Lori Ramsey
Probably the number one question when trying to
conceive aside from “When should we have intercourse?” is “When can I test?” The
answer varies, depending on when you implanted, what brand of pregnancy test you
have, etc.
Let’s look at what happens in the body first, to give you an idea of why it can
take up to 10 days or longer to see a result.
First when ovulation occurs the egg pops out of the ovary and into the fallopian
tube. The egg will only live for 12 to 24 hours if it doesn’t get fertilized.
This is why it’s important to have sperm in the fallopian tube waiting for the
egg. Sperm can live up to five days in the fallopian tube. Once the egg, if
fertilized within the first day, will sit in the fallopian tube for a couple of
days, taking it’s time rolling along toward the opening into the uterus. It
takes another day or so for the fertilized egg to float into the uterus and to
find the spot where it will implant. Up until that moment your body will not
produce any hCG – the hormone that the pregnancy test picks up to show a
positive.
Implantation takes place anywhere from 3 to 10 days after ovulation. In about a
day or so after implantation the implanted fertilized egg sends signals to the
corpus luteum – the cyst on the ovary that formed when the egg popped out – to
begin producing hCG and more progesterone. It’s this hCG that is detected when
using a home pregnancy test. At first the levels will be low, starting at around
10, then doubling every other day. Depending on how much hCG is first emitted
into the body will depend on when a home pregnancy test will show a positive
result.
With the very sensitive home pregnancy tests, ones that detect 15 mIU/hCG you
can test as early as 8 days post ovulation, assuming that you implanted early.
Normally a test that detects 20 mIU/hCG can show a positive at 10 days post
ovulation. Tests that detect 40-50 mIU/hCG can show a positive at 12 days post
ovulation and test that detects 100 + mIU/hCG usually shows positives at around
14 days post ovulation. This is all under the assumption that implantation took
place early. If implantation takes place later, around 10 days post ovulation,
and then even a sensitive test won’t show a positive until 12 to 14 days post
ovulation.
So remains the question, When can I test? Well, much of the answer depends on
when ovulation occurred and when implantation took place. If you don’t mind
taking a risk and possibly seeing a negative, try testing early at 8 to 10 days
post ovulation. But remember that even if you see a negative, you still may be
pregnant. If you don’t want the risk, wait till at least 14 days post ovulation.
Sometimes, rarely, it may take up to 17 days post ovulation to detect a positive
test.
Lori Ramsey of
Stages in Pregnancy
©2005 by Lori Ramsey
Reproduction without permission is prohibited. All rights reserved.
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