14 DPO — Early Pregnancy Symptoms To Look Out For

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It can be a difficult and stressful time for couples trying to conceive because there is a lot more to becoming pregnant than just intercourse. Timing, fertility window, and other factors have to be taken into account while trying to conceive. For most couples, the two weeks after the date of ovulation can be the most dreaded time. Women wonder if they are pregnant every time they feel an ache or pain. It’s only natural that this happens because, after 14 days, the chances of getting a more accurate result of pregnancy are higher. Read on to know what 14 DPO means and what are the early symptoms of pregnancy you should be looking out for:

What Is 14 DPO?

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Before getting into the early symptoms of pregnancy, let us first understand what exactly 14 DPO means. 14 DPO refers to 14 days post ovulation. It’s the perfect time to check if you’re pregnant when you’re trying to conceive. Ovulation occurs anywhere between 11 to 21 days of your menstrual cycle, depending on the length of your cycle. At 14 DPO, your HCG hormone levels are high enough to detect your pregnancy with an at-home pregnancy test and give you a positive result.

Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy

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When you’ve reached 14 DPO and missed your period, you may experience some symptoms of pregnancy. Many women experience all signs of pregnancy, and some women don’t experience any at all. Usually, in the first month of most women’s pregnancy, the symptoms are quite mild and slowly build over time. It is quite subjective though. Besides, most of these symptoms are similar to PMS that you go through every month, so it is best to rely on pregnancy tests when you are feeling a little iffy and experiencing most of the following symptoms. And it is a bit hard to know right away and for sure if you’re pregnant. However, keep an eye out for these signs:

1. Fatigue

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Due to the hormonal changes, you may experience fatigue. It’s a common symptom of pregnancy and can be accompanied by exhaustion and sleepiness. During early pregnancy or even under normal circumstances, your body produces the hormone progesterone, which is at its peak around 6-8 days after ovulation. Progesterone affects a woman’s mood, body, and energy levels, making her tired. That is why it is usually advised for pregnant women to not engage in tiring activities and refrain from standing for way too long. It is not only associated with hormones, but also the slowly inflaming belly that occurs after the ovulation period (1).

2. Cramping

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One of the most common symptoms of pregnancy includes abdominal cramping. When the implantation occurs, bleeding (also known as spotting) may occur. Since implantation bleeding occurs a few days before the period date, many women also think it’s a symptom of PMS. It is not always directly associated with physical exertion, as the body is internally adjusting itself with the process of spotting and beginning of different kinds of fluids and sacs starting to form inside your belly.

3. Food Cravings

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This one doesn’t come as a surprise! Food cravings are so common during pregnancy, but it also happens during PMS, which is hard to differentiate. However, with early pregnancy, you may develop sensitivity or even an aversion to certain foods. It is somewhat similar to your chocolate cravings when you are on your period. But in this case, the pangs of hunger are more intense. You will find yourself not being able to stand the sight of some of your favorite foods and end up craving things that you hardly ate before. Side note: It’s more psychological, but craving products that are not recommended is quite natural, like alcohol. At times like these, keep your juices and other substitutes handy.

4. Tender Breasts

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Another pregnancy symptom that women face is tender and swollen breasts. Hormonal fluctuations in the body lead to sore, tender, and sensitive breasts. It will feel more sore, tight, and uncomfortable and even bras can be uncomfortable to wear during this period. You will also notice the color of your areolas turning darker than its usual color, as it is gradually taking steps to produce milk production in your glands. It usually reduces after a few weeks when your body is used to changes in hormones.

5. Sickness After Waking Up

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This is one of the most common symptoms that are associated with pregnancy. It happens mostly in the form of morning sickness when you feel like vomiting your guts out. But don’t worry, it is quite natural and actually a good sign of a healthy pregnancy. Many women experience it repeatedly while for some it happens very rarely. That is also directly related to bad digestion since your body is going through major changes. Instead of eating large portions of three-course meals, divide it into smaller meals in order to give space to your belly to adjust and digest a small amount slowly and smoothly.

Pregnancy Test At 14 DPO — How Accurate Is It?

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It’s a question that every woman who is trying to conceive wants to know the answer to. “When is the right time to take a pregnancy test?”. If you’re showing signs of early pregnancy and experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, it could indicate pregnancy (2).

If you’re taking an at-home pregnancy test, it’s best to take it in the morning using your first urine, as your HCG levels are the most concentrated at this time. If you take a test at night and it shows as negative, it could be a false negative. With these early signs of pregnancy, your HCG levels could also be high enough to show up as a positive result. However, that might not always be the case. Therefore, if you take a pregnancy test at home and you get a positive result, make sure to confirm your pregnancy at the hospital. Your doctor will most likely do a blood test to confirm your conception.

If you’re trying to have a baby, it’s normal for you to be eager and excited about hearing the news of your pregnancy, and that’s why the 14 DPO mark is essential to consider. That is also the case for unplanned pregnancies to avoid being caught by surprise later. How many of these early symptoms did you experience? Comment below and let us know!

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