Home Pregnancy zone Signs of pregnancy before the test

Signs of pregnancy before the test

10.01.2023

2 min. Reading time

For many women, a positive pregnancy test is the first indication that conception has occurred. However, in most cases, the first stages of pregnancy are accompanied by other symptoms that may indicate pregnancy. When should you take a pregnancy test and what are the symptoms before taking a pregnancy test?

What are the first symptoms of pregnancy?

The first symptoms associated with the presence of pregnancy are very non-specific and may be caused by other factors, such as an infection in the gastrointestinal tract. The first and therefore so-called presumptive pregnancy symptoms include:

Morning sickness and vomiting
Pain and tenderness of the breasts
Frequent urination and urge to urinate
Chronic fatigue and fainting spells
Hypersensitivity to certain tastes and odors

The appearance of these symptoms is related to the increasing concentration of hormones such as chorionic gonadotropin and the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. In addition, many of these symptoms occur before the date of expected menstruation, which for many women is the time when they decide to take a pregnancy test. However, not all symptoms are associated with pregnancy, and their occurrence is individual for each woman.

When should you take a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test detects the beta subunit of a characteristic protein produced in large quantities in the early stages of pregnancy – chorionic gonadotropin. They rely primarily on finding an increased amount of it in the woman’s urine. Such a test is available in almost every pharmacy and can be performed by the woman at home. If the result is inconclusive, it is advisable to see a specialist and have the beta-hCG serum level determined. It is best to perform the pregnancy test on the day of the expected menstruation. With modern tests available in pharmacies, pregnancy can be detected as early as 7 days after conception, earlier than the time of expected menstruation. However, to reduce the risk of an inconclusive result, experts recommend taking the test only on the day of the expected period.

Can a pregnancy test provide a reliable diagnosis of pregnancy?

A pregnancy test is only considered a probable sign of pregnancy. This means that a positive result can also occur under conditions other than pregnancy. These include tumors, mainly ovarian tumors, which produce beta-hCG and can therefore give a false-positive pregnancy test result. Sure signs of pregnancy: