Around seven days after ovulation, a woman is considered to be at Day 7 post-ovulation (DPO). It is during this time that many women begin to experience symptoms of pregnancy.
7 DPO symptoms give women the hope that indeed they are pregnant. Even more, those symptoms make women nervous about whether or not they are pregnant.
To help you better understand 7 DPO symptoms, here are some facts you should know about this time of the month.
What Happens to Your Body at 7 DPO?
At 7 DPO, a mature egg meets and fertilizes with a sperm in the fallopian tube. The fertilization of the egg and sperm creates an embryo, which is implanted in the uterine lining and begins to grow and develop. During this time, it is essential to be aware of your body and the symptoms you experience.
If you are pregnant, you may experience implantation bleeding at 7 DPO or very early pregnancy signs such as food cravings and morning sickness. These symptoms can be exciting, but waiting until the missed period before taking a pregnancy test is essential. This is because it takes 1-2 weeks for hormones to build up in your body and show signs on a pregnancy test.
If you are not pregnant, you may experience light spotting during this time. This is because implantation causes the blood vessels beneath the uterus lining to expand and break, which causes bleeding. It is important to note that this spot should be very light and not last for more than a day.
In addition, some women experience ovarian cysts at 7 DPO. These cysts are typically benign and can be very small. Ovarian cysts are caused by the release of hormones during ovulation. This can be one cause of light spotting at 7 DPO.
When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
It is recommended to wait until the missed menstrual period to take a pregnancy test. This is because it can take up to 2 weeks for your body to build up enough hormones for them to show on a pregnancy test.
Women who experience 7 DPO symptoms early should note that their menstrual cycle might differ from average women. For example, menstrual cycles can vary in length from ten to forty days long.
Your menstrual cycle may also be longer or shorter every month during the first few years after you start having menstrual periods. This is because your body may not have a regular reproductive system early on, and it will take some time for hormone levels to stabilize.
If you are pregnant, many doctors recommend waiting until the first few weeks of pregnancy to announce your pregnancy because many miscarriages happen within the first 12 weeks. It is essential that women that experience 7 DPO symptoms don’t give up on their dream of being a mother after experiencing this type of early miscarriage.
Pregnant women should consult with their doctor about signs of pregnancy at early stages and the risk of miscarriage.
What Are Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms?
There are many symptoms you may experience at 7 DPO. Some women do not experience pregnancy symptoms at this time, while others experience very mild implantation symptoms. It is crucial to know that all of these symptoms can be caused by other things as well.
At 7 DPO, you may experience one or all of the following common symptoms:
Some women experience light spotting at 7 DPO. This spotting is thought to be implantation bleeding, which occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining.
If this is implantation bleeding, it will be very light spotting that lasts for only one or two days. It is important to note that this type of spot should not be red or dark pink. If your spotting is either color, it may indicate an infection, and a doctor should check it.
Some women experience very mild cramping at 7 DPO. This is thought to be caused by the fertilized egg attaching itself to the uterine lining. If you have very mild cramping, it is most likely nothing to worry about. However, if the cramping is more intense or lasts for longer than two days, it is essential to speak with a doctor.
Mild to Moderate Mood Swings
Many women experience mood swings at 7 DPO. This is because your estrogen and progesterone levels begin to increase at this time, which can cause your emotions to become unstable. If you are experiencing mood swings at 7 DPO, it is essential to try and take deep breaths throughout the day and avoid stressful situations.
If you experience breast tenderness at 7 DPO, it is caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the breasts. Breast tenderness typically begins around 7 DPO, peaks at 10-14 DPO, and decreases around 16-20 DPO.
Some women experience a mild headache around 7 DPO. This symptom can be caused by dehydration or other factors, such as lack of sleep. If you are experiencing a mild headache, make sure you rest and drink plenty of water.
Many women experience increased nipple sensitivity at 7 DPO. This is because estrogen and progesterone levels begin to rise, which can cause your breasts to feel tender and sore. If your nipples are very sensitive at 7 DPO, it is vital to wear a supportive bra.
Mild Food Cravings
Many pregnant women experience early pregnancy cravings at 7 DPO. If you are craving certain foods early in your menstrual cycle, it is safe to indulge in small amounts of carbohydrates and lean proteins.
Implantation causes gastrointestinal changes for some women early in their menstrual cycle. Some early symptoms include indigestion or heartburn. Be sure to avoid fatty foods early in your menstrual cycle and stick to a healthy diet plan with plenty of fiber.
Pregnancy Test at 7 DPO
If you take a pregnancy test at 7 DPO, it will likely be negative. This is because the hCG levels are still extremely low, and it is not high enough to be detected by home pregnancy tests. However, if you are pregnant, your hormone levels should be high enough to be detected by a pregnancy test at 7 DPO.
If you test negative and still suspect that you may be pregnant, it is recommended that you retest at 10 DPO. Home pregnancy tests can detect hormonal changes 10 days after ovulation. If your hCG levels are high enough, you should be able to get a positive pregnancy test when testing at 10 DPO.
The symptoms you will experience at 7 DPO can vary from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy. If you are experiencing one or more early pregnancy symptoms, you may be pregnant. If you have not experienced any early pregnancy symptoms, you can continue to take a pregnancy test daily until you get your period.
Is 7 DPO Big Fat Positive (BFP) Possible?
Some women will get a big fat positive (BFP) at 7 DPO. If you are not pregnant, this is not possible. However, if you are pregnant, it might be possible for your pregnancy test to give you an early positive result.
Keep in mind that getting a BFP too early can sometimes lead to false results. If you get a positive pregnancy test and still do not experience any symptoms, you should retest in a few days. If you continue to get a positive home pregnancy test after 7 DPO, the test is likely accurate.
If you take a home pregnancy test at 7 DPO and it comes back negative, there is still a chance that you could be pregnant. If your symptoms are getting worse as the day goes on, this can indicate an increase in hCG levels.
If you take another pregnancy test in a few days after experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, it is likely that you will get a positive pregnancy test.
While it is possible to get an early positive pregnancy test, keep in mind that getting a BFP too early can sometimes lead to false results. If you get a positive home pregnancy test and still do not experience any symptoms, you should retest in a few days.
If you continue to get a positive home pregnancy test after 7 DPO, it is likely that your pregnancy test is accurate.