Pregnancy FAQs

How Soon Can You Take a Pregnancy Test?

Most home pregnancy tests can be taken the day your period is due, while extra-sensitive tests may detect pregnancy up to 6 days sooner.

These tests look for the hormone hCG, which begins after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus—usually 6 to 12 days after conception. As levels rise, hCG appears in urine. Most tests can confirm it around the time your period is expected, though some may show results earlier.

How Accurate Are Pregnancy Tests?

Most home pregnancy tests are more than 99% accurate when taken on or after the day your period is due.

These tests detect hCG, a hormone made after an embryo implants in the uterus—usually 6 to 12 days after fertilization. Lab-grade and high-quality over-the-counter tests both claim over 99% accuracy when used at the right time. Testing too early can cause false negatives if hCG levels are still low. False positives are rare but may happen with certain medications or health conditions that raise hCG. Timing and carefully following directions matter most for reliable results.

Can Twins Cause a False Negative Pregnancy Test?

No. Having twins raises hCG levels, which makes a positive test more likely—not a false negative.

During a twin pregnancy, the body produces extra hCG, the hormone detected in urine by pregnancy tests. These higher levels usually make results easier to read. False negatives happen when hCG is too low, often from testing too soon or diluted urine. Because twins increase hCG, they don’t cause false negatives and often create a stronger positive result.

Do Pregnancy Tests Expire?

Pregnancy tests do expire, and using one past that date can lead to inaccurate results.

These tests rely on chemicals that react to hCG in urine. Over time, those chemicals break down, which may cause a test to miss hCG even if you’re pregnant—or, less often, show a faint false line. The expiration date is printed on the box or foil wrapper, and once that date passes, the test may no longer be reliable.

Can a Pregnancy Test Be Wrong?

Yes. Home pregnancy tests can sometimes give false results—most often false negatives when hCG is too low, or rarely false positives from certain medications or health conditions.

These tests work by detecting hCG, a hormone produced after an embryo implants in the uterus (about 6 to 12 days after fertilization). Testing too early or using very diluted urine can keep hCG from showing up, which may cause a false negative. False positives are uncommon but may occur if you’re taking fertility medications that contain hCG or have conditions that raise 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.

Because the exact day of conception is hard to pinpoint, doctors measure pregnancy starting with the first day of your last menstrual period. Conception usually happens around week two, making the total length about 38 weeks from fertilization. Pregnancy is divided into three stages: 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 often starts around 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy, though timing can vary with the implantation site.

When a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus—most often in a fallopian tube—the tube cannot expand as the embryo grows. This may cause sharp or dull pain on one side of the lower abdomen, usually around 6 to 8 weeks after your last period. Some may notice discomfort sooner or later, sometimes with light spotting.

How Long Does Spotting Last in Early Pregnancy?

Spotting in early pregnancy usually lasts one to three days, though it may be as brief as a few hours or as long as a week.

This light bleeding often occurs when the embryo implants into the uterine lining, about 6 to 12 days after fertilization. It comes from tiny blood vessels in the uterus and usually shows as pink or brown discharge. Most notice spotting for a day or two, but it can be shorter or last up to a week. Because it’s light and brief, it’s different from a normal period.

Can You Have Sex During Pregnancy?

Yes. Sex is usually safe in most healthy pregnancies because the baby is well protected inside the uterus.

The baby is cushioned in fluid within a strong amniotic sac, and a mucus plug seals the cervix to block germs. Sexual activity doesn’t reach or harm the baby or sac. Exceptions include placenta previa, ruptured membranes, or risk of early labor—situations where sex may cause bleeding or infection and should be avoided.

What Does the First Trimester Feel Like?

Fatigue, nausea, breast soreness, and mood changes are common in the first trimester, though each person’s experience is different.

During the first 13 weeks, rising hormones can cause exhaustion and queasiness. Breasts may swell and feel tender, you might urinate more often, or notice bloating. Mood swings—feeling up one moment and down the next—are also normal. These changes happen because your body is working to support early pregnancy. Some feel them strongly, while others barely notice.

When Do You Start Showing Pregnancy?

Most people begin to show a baby bump between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy, though timing differs by body type and pregnancy history.

By about 12 weeks, the uterus has grown enough to push the abdomen outward. When you start to show depends on muscle tone, body shape, and whether it’s your first pregnancy. Those with firmer stomach muscles or more belly fat may show later, while women in their second or later pregnancy often show earlier.

When Does Nausea Start in Pregnancy?

Nausea usually starts between 4 and 6 weeks of pregnancy, though timing differs for everyone.

After implantation—about 6 to 12 days after fertilization—the body increases hormones like hCG and progesterone. These can upset the stomach and slow digestion, leading to queasiness. Most people notice “morning sickness” between 4 and 6 weeks after their last period, with symptoms peaking around week 9. Some feel it sooner or later depending on hormone levels and sensitivity.