When to take the pregnancy test to find out if I'm pregnant

Although the chances are low, it is possible to become pregnant only after 1 unprotected sex, especially if the man ejaculates inside the vagina. However, pregnancy can also happen when there is only contact with the lubricating fluids released before ejaculation. For this reason, and although it is more rare, it is still possible to become pregnant without penetration, as long as the man's fluids come into direct contact with the vagina.

If unprotected sexual contact has occurred, the best way to confirm or exclude a possible pregnancy is to take the pharmacy pregnancy test. However, for the result to be reliable, this test should only be done after the first day of menstruation delay. Before this period, it is possible to do the blood test, which can be done 7 days after the relationship, but which is more expensive and needs to be done in a clinical analysis laboratory.

Better understand the types of pregnancy test and when to do it.

How the regular mentoring cycle works

When there is a greater risk of becoming pregnant

When the woman has a regular menstrual cycle, with approximately 28 days, she is more likely to become pregnant when she is in the fertile period, which corresponds, usually to the 2 days before and after ovulation, and which usually happens around the 14th day, from the first day of menstruation. Use our calculator to find out your fertile period.

Women who have an irregular cycle, which may be shorter or longer, are unable to calculate the fertile period with such precision and, therefore, the risk of becoming pregnant is greater throughout the cycle.

Although there is a greater risk of becoming pregnant on the days closest to the day of ovulation, the woman can also become pregnant up to 7 days before or 7 days after the day of ovulation, as sperm are able to live inside the woman's vagina between 5 to 7 days, with the risk of fertilization if there is close contact.

Symptoms to suspect pregnancy

Some signs that can lead a woman to suspect pregnancy include:

Late menstruation; Nausea and vomiting in the morning; Increased urge to urinate; Tiredness and too much sleep during the day; Increased sensitivity in the breasts.

Take the following test and know your chances of being pregnant:

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Know if you are pregnant

Start the test

In the last month have you had sex without using a condom or other contraceptive method such as an IUD, implant or contraceptive?

Yes No

Have you noticed any pink vaginal discharge lately?

Yes No

Are you getting sick and want to throw up in the morning?

Yes No

Are you more sensitive to smells, getting bothered by smells like cigarettes, food or perfume?

Yes No

Does your belly look more swollen than before, making it harder to keep your jeans tight during the day?

Yes No

Does your skin look more oily and acne prone?

Yes No

Are you feeling more tired and more sleepy?

Yes No

Has your period been delayed for more than 5 days?

Yes No

Have you ever had a pharmacy pregnancy test or blood test in the last month, with a positive result?

Yes No

Did you take the morning after pill recently?

Yes No

These symptoms do not exclude the chances of having a disease with similar symptoms, such as psychological pregnancy, so you should always consult a gynecologist and have tests done to confirm the pregnancy.

Check out a list of the top 10 pregnancy symptoms.

Is it possible to be pregnant even without symptoms?

Yes, in many cases it may take a woman up to 2 or 3 months to identify any symptoms of pregnancy. This is because many of the signs can be difficult to identify and their intensity may vary according to each woman.

When to take the pregnancy test

If the woman has had an unprotected relationship and is in the fertile period, the ideal is to have a urine or blood pregnancy test. This test must be carried out after the delay of menstruation, at least 7 days after intimate contact, so that the result is as correct as possible. The two main testing options include:

Urine test: can be purchased at the pharmacy and the woman can do it at home with the first morning urine. If it is negative and menstruation is still delayed, the test should be repeated 5 days later. If, even so, the second pregnancy test is negative and menstruation is still delayed, it is recommended to make an appointment with a gynecologist to investigate the situation. However, if the test is positive, you should try a blood test to confirm the pregnancy. Blood test : this test is done in a laboratory and detects the amount of the HCG hormone in the blood, which is released by the placenta at the beginning of pregnancy.

These tests are the simplest way for a woman to understand if she is pregnant.

Is it possible to be pregnant even when the test is negative?

Current pregnancy tests are quite sensitive, so the result is usually quite reliable, as long as the test is done at the right time. However, as some women may produce few hormones in early pregnancy, the result may be false negative, especially in the case of urine testing. Thus, when the result is negative, it is recommended to repeat the test between 5 to 7 days after the first.

How to confirm pregnancy

The confirmation of a pregnancy is made by the doctor and, for that it is necessary:

The blood test of pregnancy is positive; Listening to the baby's heart, through a device called doptone or Doppler; Seeing the fetus through an ultrasound or ultrasound of the uterus.

At this stage, other signs are likely to appear, such as bluish or purplish coloration in the vagina and vulva, enlarged abdomen or yellowish discharge. Find out more about the early symptoms of pregnancy: