When can you tell if you're pregnant?

If you are pregnant, an early morning urine sample will usually contain sufficient of the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin)...



Must you wait until after your period is due?

Also are there any early symptoms of pregnancy?


Your question is one that is asked by lots of women every day.

Often, the sheer worry about pregnancy will play tricks on the menstrual cycle and delay the onset of the monthly period.

This creates further worry and further delay in the onset of bleeding.

Luckily, you do not need to wait until you have missed a period before doing a home pregnancy test.

If you are pregnant, an early morning urine sample will usually contain sufficient of the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) to produce a positive pregnancy test by the first day when your period is due.

The likelihood of pregnancy will depend upon whereabouts in your monthly cycle you had unprotected sex.

If you are still within five days of the occasion, seek help from your GP or family planning clinic immediately because it may be possible to help you with post-coital treatment.

The time when the greatest chance of becoming pregnant is in the five days either side of your normal ovulation time; this is usually 14 days before the due date of your next menstrual period.

Millions of women find themselves with this problem. Do go and visit a family planning clinic, or the British pregnancy advisory service for support and advice.

Most GPs can really help you at this time, so go along and talk to someone.

Yours sincerely

The NetDoctor Medical Team

Other Qs & As

Am I pregnant?

Are there any sperm banks in the UK?

Can an ovarian cyst stop me from conceiving?

Can I be pregnant?

Can I conceive whilst on HRT?

Clomid hasn't helped me conceive - what else can I try?

Conception problems with irregular periods

Could I be pregnant?

Could I still be pregnant despite my pregnancy test being negative?

Did my ectopic pregnancy reduced my chances of conceiving?

Do I ovulate too late in my cycle to conceive?

Does delaying your sex life cause infertility?

Does endometriosis affect fertility?

Does Ginseng affect fertility?

Does lithium affect chances of conception?

Does smoking affect fertility?

Fertility after abortion

Fertility and breastfeeding

Fertility query

First signs of pregnancy

Has Chlamydia made me infertile?

Has my fertility been affected by the coil?

Home pregnancy test

How can I increase my sperm count?

How can I maximise my chances of a healthy pregnancy?

How does a doctor tell if you're pregnant

How long before I can try to conceive again?

How long should I wait to conceive after taking methotrexate?

How sucessful is sperm extraction?

I have PCOS: can I conceive?

I have spina bifida and would like to have a child

I sometimes produce milk; is this linked to problems conceiving?


I want to increase my chance to get pregnant

I'm having trouble conceiving and I'm worried that I am not ovulating


Is breastfeeding stopping me getting pregnant again?

Is it safe to conceive soon after a caesarian section?

Is my girlfriend pregnant?

My infertility treatment hasn't worked. What happens now?

No period since I came off the Pill

One ovary and pregnancy

Polio and infertility

Polycystic ovaries and fertility

Preparing for pregnancy

Problems trying to conceive

Queries about date of conception, and the need for dietary supplements


Trying to conceive

We have been trying for a baby for eight months

What are the best ways to try and conceive a girl?

What are the chances


What is the best way to get pregnant?

What more can I do to have a baby?

When am I most fertile?

When am I most likely to conceive?

When can I start trying to conceive again

Why can't I conceive?

Will it take me three years to conceive?

Will the coil affect my pregnancy?

Last updated

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below