Early Pregnancy Symptoms By Days Past Ovulation (DPO)

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Early pregnancy symptoms by days past ovulation (DPO)

Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on April 9, 2025

Symptoms by DPO
0-7 DPO
7-10 DPO
11-14 DPO
Early signs
FAQ
Outlook

Early pregnancy symptoms by days past ovulation (DPO) can be similar to symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Examples include bloating, breast tenderness, nipple changes, food cravings, and more.

Early pregnancy symptoms after ovulation are often similar to those of an impending period. Some, like muscle aches and pains, are also a part of everyday life.

However, knowing what is happening in the body, as well as the typical pregnancy symptoms that occur on different days past ovulation (DPO), can make the wait a little easier.

It is not possible to know for sure if a person is pregnant until a pregnancy test confirms it. Also, pregnancy symptoms and when they occur can vary significantly between individuals.

Read on to learn more about what is happening in the body around the time of ovulation and what early signs people might notice in the early DPO.

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DPO symptoms overview

While some people experience many early pregnancy symptoms, others experience few or no symptoms at all.

Also, early pregnancy symptoms can be very similar to the symptoms experienced around the time of ovulation, during PMS, and by those taking fertility medications.

This is why DPO symptoms are not a reliable measure of whether or not an individual has become pregnant. People should talk with a doctor about their specific symptoms.

Days 0 to 7 past ovulation

Ovulation is the moment an ovary releases an egg.

As soon as an ovary releases an egg, the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle begins. The luteal phase ends with a menstrual period unless pregnancy occurs.

Individuals will not experience any pregnancy symptoms during the earliest part of the luteal phase. This is because pregnancy does not occur until the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus.

During the luteal phase, the body produces more progesterone, which is a hormone that helps sustain an early pregnancy. The levels of progesterone peak at 6 to 8 days after ovulation, even when a person does not become pregnant.

Progesterone levels can affect an individual’s mood and body. This means that, after a week or so, they may experience similar symptoms in early pregnancy as they do before a period.

When a fertilized egg reaches the uterus, it implants itself into the wall of the uterus. This is called implantation and marks the start of pregnancy. Implantation typically happens 6 to 12 days after fertilization.

This is the time when people may begin to experience pregnancy symptoms, including:

breast tenderness
bloating
food cravings
increased nipple sensitivity
headaches and muscle aches

However, these symptoms may also occur in those who are not pregnant. This is because of the increased levels of progesterone that are present during the last stages of the menstrual cycle.

Days 7 to 10 past ovulation

After 1 to 2 weeks following implantation, some people will notice light bleeding or spotting, which is called implantation bleeding.

This spotting is typically light in flow. Implantation bleeding is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy since it happens around the time the individual becomes pregnant.

However, even when a person notices bleeding around the time of implantation, they may still not get a positive pregnancy test. They may have a very early miscarriage called a chemical pregnancy, or the bleeding might be due to something else.

At implantation, the body begins producing a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Known as the pregnancy hormone, HCG, alongside progesterone and estrogen, is responsible for early pregnancy symptoms. It is also the hormone that pregnancy tests identify.

However, it can take several days for HCG to reach a detectable level, so pregnancy tests may not pick up the hormone, and symptoms may not develop immediately.

»Learn more:What to know about HCG pregnancy tests

Days 11 to 14 past ovulation

A few days after implantation, HCG levels may be high enough to cause early pregnancy symptoms. However, this is also the phase of the menstrual cycle when a person is most likely to experience symptoms that mean they are about to get their period.

Individuals who are aware of how their body behaves each month might be better able to identify whether their symptoms are due to pregnancy or regular menstruation.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), some other symptoms of early pregnancy include:

darkening in the color of the nipples
fatigue
food cravings or increased hunger
increased need to use the bathroom
gastrointestinal changes, such as cramping or diarrhea

By the time a person has experienced several early pregnancy symptoms, it is possible that the hCG levels are high enough that a pregnancy test can indicate a pregnancy. However, hCG levels vary, so this is not always the case.

Common early pregnancy symptoms

As pregnancy progresses and hCG levels rise even more, many people begin experiencing more symptoms.

Some of the most common early pregnancy symptoms include:

nausea, especially when hungry
vomiting, which may lead to dehydration and cause:
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- changes in blood pressure
- changes in heart rate
strong aversions to certain foods or smells
slight bleeding or spotting
changes in the sense of smell
fatigue
bloating and water retention
tender or swollen breasts
headaches
urinating more frequently
changes in mood

Frequently asked questions

How soon after ovulation can someone feel pregnancy symptoms?

Some people may begin to notice pregnancy symptoms after implantation, which is when a fertilized egg implants itself into the wall of the uterus. Implantation usually happens 6 to 12 days after fertilization.

Can people experience pregnancy symptoms 48 hours after conception?

People are not likely to experience symptoms of pregnancy until implantation occurs, which is typically 6 to 12 days after fertilization.

How many DPO can a person test positive for pregnancy?

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), if a person has a 28-day menstrual cycle, a pregnancy test may be able to detect the pregnancy hormone, HCG, in their urine 12 to 15 DPO.

Summary

Early pregnancy symptoms can include breast tenderness, bloating, cravings, nausea, and more.

Some people track their ovulation by looking out for physical symptoms or using ovulation tests. It is important to note that the only way to detect ovulation is through medical testing.

However, home ovulation tests can be misleading, particularly if an individual has a condition that affects ovulation.

No symptom alone can confirm early pregnancy, and many people experience no early pregnancy symptoms at all. The only way to establish a pregnancy is by taking a pregnancy test.

Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Parenthood

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bleeding during pregnancy. (2024).https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/bleeding-during-pregnancy
How your fetus grows during pregnancy. (2024).https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy
McLaughlin JE. (2023). Female reproductive endocrinology.https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/female-reproductive-endocrinology/female-reproductive-endocrinology
Morning sickness: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. (2023).https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/morning-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy
Muñoz JL. (2024). Physiology of pregnancy.https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/approach-to-the-pregnant-woman-and-prenatal-care/physiology-of-pregnancy
Pregnancy. (2019).https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/pregnancy
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/signs-and-symptoms-of-pregnancy/
Week 4. (n.d.).https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/1st-trimester/week-4/
What are some common signs of pregnancy? (2017).https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs

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Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on April 9, 2025

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DPO symptoms overview

Days 0 to 7 past ovulation

Days 7 to 10 past ovulation

Days 11 to 14 past ovulation

Common early pregnancy symptoms

Frequently asked questions

How soon after ovulation can someone feel pregnancy symptoms?

Can people experience pregnancy symptoms 48 hours after conception?

How many DPO can a person test positive for pregnancy?

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