Most home pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine, which your body starts producing after a fertilized egg implants in your uterus.

While some tests claim to be sensitive enough to detect pregnancy a few days before your missed period, it's generally recommended to wait **until the day of your missed period** for the most accurate result. Taking a test too early might result in a false negative because hCG levels may not be high enough yet.

The best time to take a home pregnancy test is typically with your **first morning urine**. This is because morning urine is usually more concentrated, meaning any hCG present is more likely to be at detectable levels.

If you test later in the day, especially after drinking a lot of fluids, your urine might be diluted, potentially leading to a false negative result, even if you are pregnant. If testing after your missed period, you can usually test at any time of day, but first morning urine is still generally preferred for early testing.

When used correctly and at the right time (ideally on or after the day of your missed period), most home pregnancy tests are highly accurate, typically **99% accurate**. Factors that can affect accuracy include taking the test too early, not following the instructions precisely, or using an expired test.

Early pregnancy symptoms vary greatly from person to person and can be subtle. Some common early signs include:

• Missed period
• Tender, swollen breasts
• Nausea with or without vomiting ("morning sickness")
• Increased urination
• Fatigue
• Food cravings or aversions
• Spotting or light bleeding (implantation bleeding)
• Cramping (similar to menstrual cramps)
• Bloating

These symptoms often start around the time of the missed period or a week or two after conception. However, many of these symptoms can also be caused by other factors, including PMS, so they aren't definitive proof of pregnancy.

• **Cramping:** Light cramping can occur around the time of implantation (when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall), which is usually about 6-12 days after ovulation. It's often less intense than menstrual cramps.
• **Spotting:** Light spotting or pinkish/brown discharge, also known as implantation bleeding, can occur around the same time as implantation. It's typically much lighter and shorter than a menstrual period.
• **Diarrhea:** While not one of the most common early signs, some people do experience digestive changes, including diarrhea or constipation, in early pregnancy due to hormonal shifts.

Because these symptoms can overlap with PMS or other conditions, a pregnancy test is the best way to confirm pregnancy.

Yes. Unprotected sex, including when ejaculation does not occur inside the vagina, carries a risk of pregnancy. Precum (pre-ejaculatory fluid) can contain sperm, especially if it occurs after a recent ejaculation, meaning it is possible for pregnancy to occur even if withdrawal is used as a birth control method.

A full-term pregnancy is typically considered to be about **40 weeks** (or 9 calendar months, or 10 lunar months) from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP).

When you start "showing" (your pregnancy becomes visibly noticeable) varies greatly. For a first pregnancy, it might not be noticeable until **16-20 weeks**. In subsequent pregnancies, abdominal muscles may be more relaxed, and showing might start earlier, sometimes as early as 12 weeks. Bloating can also make some people feel like they are showing earlier than the actual growth of the uterus would indicate.

• **Chemical Pregnancy:** A very early miscarriage that occurs shortly after implantation. It happens before the pregnancy can be seen on an ultrasound. A pregnancy test might be positive due to rising hCG, but menstruation begins soon after, often without the person knowing they were briefly pregnant.
• **Ectopic Pregnancy:** Occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention as it cannot result in a viable pregnancy and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Symptoms can include severe abdominal pain and bleeding.