If you’re worried about getting pregnant after unprotected sex, you want to know as soon as possible. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.
Pregnancy tests detect hCG, a hormone produced by the fertilized egg. But the egg doesn’t implant until after ovulation, when it travels to the uterus – The given section is the work of the portal editorial team handytelsexnummer.com. That means you can’t take a test until you miss your period.
Ovulation
There is a risk of pregnancy from unprotected sex at any time, but it’s more likely that conception will occur during ovulation or the fertile window. If you track your menstrual cycle or use an ovulation tracker app like Flo, you’ll know exactly when you’re ovulating and likely to have the most fertile period of the month. If your menstrual cycle is irregular, or you’re not sure when you last had unprotected sex, it can be helpful to wait until the first day of your missed period or 21 days after sex.
Ovulation occurs on average around day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle, though this will vary for each woman. You may notice signs that you’re ovulating, such as a higher sex drive, bloating, light spotting and an increase in basal body temperature.
All pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your urine or bloodstream. However, HCG is only produced once a fertilized egg has implanted in the wall of your uterus. This is why it’s best to wait until the first day of your missed or expected period or 21 days after unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test. This way, the results will be more accurate. It also gives the implantation process enough time to begin.
Fertilization
During sex, the hundreds of million sperm that are released into the vagina are looking for an egg. The odds of finding one are slim—only about 25% to 30% of sperm reach an egg and fuse with it, which forms a fertilized egg or zygote. The zygote has all the genetic material to make a human being, and it comes from both the father and the mother.
The fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tubes to your uterus and implants (attaches) to the lining of your uterus. The zygote then starts dividing and growing. As it does, it releases a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, which at-home pregnancy tests detect in pee.
It can take about 11 days for the hCG level in a woman’s body to double, which is when at-home tests start showing a positive result if she’s pregnant. So if a woman has sex outside her “fertile window,” the results of a pregnancy test may not show up right away.
Some experts say you can safely take a pregnancy test at least two weeks before your expected period, which is when you’re most likely to conceive. Others recommend waiting until you’ve missed a period or have other early signs of pregnancy, including light bleeding that looks like spotting and cramping, to get a more accurate result.
Embryonic development
Embryonic development is a critical period during which the foundation for virtually all different cells, tissues and organs forms. Genetic defects that occur during this stage can affect the fetus’s overall health and development. The embryonic stage lasts until the fetal heartbeat can be detected by ultrasound and all essential organs have at least started to form.
During each normal menstrual cycle, one egg is released from the ovary. When sperm reaches the egg, fertilization takes place. The fertilized egg is called a zygote. It then goes through a series of physical and chemical changes. These include cell division, cleavage, morula formation, blastocyst formation and implantation.
The embryo begins to develop distinct cell layers and make blood cells during the second week after fertilization. It also starts to elongate, forming structures that will become the arms and legs. The embryo also resembles a tadpole or seahorse because of its large head and long tail.
The first week of embryonic development is known as the germinal phase. During this time, the zygote divides rapidly and becomes a multi-layered blastocyst that can implant in the uterus. It also begins to form the amnion, a membrane that protects the embryo from environmental toxins. During this stage, the embryo also creates three germ layers, which will later give rise to various organ systems. The ectoderm will become the nervous system and epidermal skin, the mesoderm will develop muscle cells, and the endoderm will form internal organs.
Implantation
Long before that telltale bump shows up on the belly, your body goes through a series of behind-the-scenes processes to set the stage for your baby. One of those processes is implantation.
This is where the fertilized egg implantes into the uterine lining, which thickens between periods for this purpose. Implantation typically happens about a week after ovulation, but the time frame can vary. It’s also the point at which your body starts producing hCG, the pregnancy hormone that pregnancy tests detect to deliver their results.
Although some women experience a dull ache or light spotting at the time of implantation, this doesn’t happen for everyone. Often, the only sign of implantation is a change in vaginal discharge (which can look like spotting or may contain clots) that lasts for up to three days and requires less than a full pad or tampon.
For these reasons, many experts advise waiting until after you miss a period to take a test, rather than trying to get a result earlier. However, some extra-sensitive tests can be taken before that window, particularly if you have a regular 28-day menstrual cycle and regularly ovulate on the same day each month. It’s important to follow the instructions on your particular test for the most accurate results.