Pregnancy FAQs

How Soon Can You Take a Pregnancy Test?

Most home pregnancy tests can be used on the day your period is due, and some sensitive ones can detect pregnancy up to 6 days before that.

These tests check for a hormone called hCG, which your body starts making after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus—usually 6 to 12 days after conception. As hCG levels rise, they show up in your urine. Most tests detect hCG by the day your period is expected, about two weeks after conception, while some can pick it up even earlier.

How Accurate Are Pregnancy Tests?

Most home pregnancy tests are over 99% accurate when used on or after the day your period is due.

Pregnancy tests work by spotting hCG, a hormone your body makes after an embryo attaches to the uterus (usually 6–12 days after fertilization). Lab tests and quality over-the-counter kits claim over 99% accuracy on the day your period is expected. However, testing too early can give false negatives because hCG levels might still be too low to detect. False positives are rare but can happen with certain medications or medical conditions that raise hCG. Timing and following the instructions closely matter most for a reliable result.

Can Twins Cause a False Negative Pregnancy Test?

No. Twins actually raise hCG levels, making a positive pregnancy test more likely—not a false negative.

When you’re pregnant with twins, your body produces extra hCG, the hormone pregnancy tests detect in urine. Twins usually push hCG levels well above what’s needed for a positive test. False negatives usually happen when hCG is too low, like if you test too early or have diluted urine. Because twins increase hCG, they don’t cause false negatives and often result in a clearer positive test.

Do Pregnancy Tests Expire?

Pregnancy tests have expiration dates. Using one past that date can cause inaccurate results.

These tests use special chemicals that bind to hCG in your urine to show a positive line or symbol. Over time, those chemicals can weaken or break down. So, an expired test might miss hCG even if you’re pregnant—or, less often, give a faint false line. You can find the expiration date on the test’s box or foil wrapper. After that date, the test may not be reliable.

Can a Pregnancy Test Be Wrong?

Yes. Home pregnancy tests can sometimes give incorrect results—false negatives if hCG is too low, or rare false positives from certain medications or health conditions.

These tests detect hCG, a hormone your body produces after an embryo attaches to the uterus (usually 6 to 12 days after fertilization). Testing too early or using very diluted urine can mean hCG levels are too low to detect, leading to false negatives. False positives are rare but can happen if you’re taking medications that contain hCG (like some fertility treatments) or have medical conditions that increase hCG levels.

How Many Weeks is a Pregnancy?

A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks from the first day of your last period—or about 38 weeks from conception.

Since it’s hard to know the exact day you became pregnant, doctors count pregnancy starting from the first day of your last menstrual period. That’s why a full pregnancy is about 40 weeks long. Conception usually happens around week 2, so it’s about 38 weeks from when sperm meets egg. Pregnancy is divided into three parts: first trimester (weeks 1–13), second trimester (weeks 14–27), and third trimester (weeks 28–40).

When Does Ectopic Pregnancy Pain Start?

Ectopic pregnancy pain usually begins around 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy but can vary depending on where the embryo implants.

When a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus—usually in a fallopian tube—that tube can’t stretch as the embryo grows. Around 6 to 8 weeks from your last period, you might feel a sharp or dull pain on one side of your lower belly. Because each body and implantation site is different, some people notice pain a bit earlier or later, often along with light spotting.

How Long Does Spotting Last in Early Pregnancy?

Spotting in early pregnancy usually lasts 1 to 3 days but can be as short as a few hours or as long as a week.

This light bleeding often happens when the embryo attaches to the womb lining, about 6 to 12 days after fertilization. It comes from small blood vessels in the uterus and usually appears as pink or brown discharge. For most people, spotting lasts about one to three days, but some may notice it for just a few hours or up to a week. Because it’s light and brief, it’s different from a regular period.

Can You Have Sex During Pregnancy?

Yes. Sex is generally safe during most healthy pregnancies because the baby is well protected inside the uterus.

The baby floats in fluid inside a strong amniotic sac, and a thick mucus plug seals the cervix to keep germs out. Sexual activity doesn’t reach or harm the baby or sac. However, if the placenta is low (placenta previa), your water has broken, or there’s a risk of early labor, sex could cause bleeding or infection and isn’t recommended in those cases.

What Does the First Trimester Feel Like?

Fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes are common in the first trimester, but everyone experiences them differently.

During the first 13 weeks, rising pregnancy hormones can make you feel very tired and queasy. Your breasts might swell and feel sore, you may need to pee more often, or feel bloated. Mood swings—feeling happy one moment and upset the next—are normal too. All these changes happen because your body is working hard to support the growing embryo. Some people feel these symptoms strongly, while others hardly notice them.

When Do You Start Showing Pregnancy?

Most people start to show a baby bump between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy, but this varies depending on body shape and pregnancy history.

Around 12 weeks, the uterus grows enough to push your stomach forward and create a bump. How soon this happens depends on your body type, muscle strength, and whether you’ve been pregnant before. People with strong stomach muscles or more belly fat may show later, while those in their second or later pregnancy often show earlier.

When Does Nausea Start in Pregnancy?

Nausea usually begins around 4 to 6 weeks into pregnancy, but timing varies from person to person.

After the embryo attaches to the uterus (about 6 to 12 days after fertilization), your body increases pregnancy hormones like hCG and progesterone. These hormones can upset your stomach and slow digestion, which may cause queasiness. Most people start feeling “morning sickness” about 4 to 6 weeks after their last period, with symptoms often peaking around week 9. Some may feel it earlier or later because hormone levels and sensitivity differ.