Are you trying to get pregnant? You are probably counting down each day to a positive pregnancy test.
After intercourse during your fertile period, the two-week wait is a stressful period.
However, many physical and hormonal changes are taking place in your body at this time.
Here we will learn about and how to look out for them.
What is 8 DPO?
DPO stands for Days Post Ovulation. Ovulation marks the release of the egg from the ovary, after which it makes its way to the uterus.
If the sperm reaches the egg at the right time, it prompts a series of changes. 8 DPO marks the time eight days into this period following ovulation.
The main hormones acting between ovulation and a missed period are progesterone and estrogen.
Progesterone produces a lot of changes in the body. Below we learn how to recognize them.
What happens at 8 DPO?
Let’s break down what changes occur in the body at 8 DPO.
Within 24 hours of ovulation, the egg is fertilized by the sperm, and the process of conception begins. Hereafter the cells continue to divide until they reach the uterus.
This triggers a series of changes in the body. In the absence of fertilization, your hormone levels drop about two weeks after ovulation.
However, if the fertilized egg successfully implants in the uterus, these hormone levels rise further.
So at 8 DPO, your estrogen and progesterone levels are increasing. If you have been reading a lot about ovulation and pregnancy, you may have come across many other hormones. However, most of them are minor and do not play a significant role in early pregnancy.
8 DPO symptoms
It is essential to remember that not everyone experiences early pregnancy symptoms in the same way.
Some women feel completely normal well into the first trimester, while some struggle with morning sickness early on.
8 DPO symptoms only serve as a guide, and their absence should not cause anxiety.
- Implantation bleeding:
About eight to ten days after the egg and the sperm unite, the fertilized egg reaches the uterus. Then it settles into the uterus wall for the rest of the pregnancy. This is known as implantation, and it might result in light bleeding.
This is generally just light spotting and will not look like your regular period. It might last just for a day or two, and many women might miss it entirely.
Learn More: Implantation bleeding Vs Periods | What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like?
- Breast tenderness:
Women often experience swollen and sore breasts in the early stages of pregnancy. Increased nipple sensitivity may also occur.
- Morning sickness:
Early morning nausea and vomiting are common in the first trimester. Sadly, the name is slightly misleading. These symptoms might persist throughout the day.
- Constipation:
Pregnancy affects your gut in more ways than one. Digestion may slow down, causing bloating and gas formation. An easy solution is to eat more fiber daily. This can be done by eating more vegetables such as broccoli and avocado, fresh and dried fruits, and beans.
- Food aversions and cravings:
A lot can change in your food choices during pregnancy. You might crave food you haven’t had in years and feel repulsed by something you loved to eat. Overall, your taste buds are likely to get more sensitive. This also means that some food might not taste the same.
- Frequent urination
Do you drink less water but still visit the bathroom more often? The blood flow to the kidneys increases in the first trimester. This results in increased production of urine.
- Fatigue:
With all of this going on in your body, it is natural to feel tired. However, this might be pretty severe in some women.
If I don’t experience any of these changes, does it mean I am not pregnant?
Every pregnancy is unique. You may complain of all of these symptoms, or maybe you feel normal. You might also experience some other symptoms altogether, such as:
- A heightened sense of smell
- Increased hunger
- Hot flushes
- Dizziness
- Heartburn
Here is what you need to remember. Exactly which symptoms you experience and which you don’t does matter.
Early pregnancy symptoms are better understood as clues. It is not a checklist where you have to fulfill specific criteria.
This is just your body manifesting the changes taking place inside of you. Some people associate early symptoms with a successful pregnancy.
However, no matter what symptoms you experience, the chances of getting pregnant remain the same.
How to cope with all of these changes?
Experiencing multiple symptoms simultaneously might make you feel anxious about the upcoming nine months. Here are a few lifestyle changes you can make to feel a whole lot better:
- Take it easy:
Remind yourself that how you feel is entirely normal, and it will pass. Each stage of pregnancy brings its symptoms with it. - Slow down your routine :
Try to ensure eight hours of sleep every night. You can also add in a nap if you continue to feel tired in the daytime. Chamomile tea helps as well. - Modify your eating habits :
Try to have small, frequent meals. It also helps if you track which foods make you feel worse and avoid them. - Exercise :
This might sound confusing, but exercise helps beat early pregnancy fatigue. However, in this case, activity refers to a stroll or a walk, or some relaxing yoga. - Do not reduce your water intake:
Despite the frequent trips to the bathroom, drinking less water can be very harmful. You might end up feeling even more tired and dizzy. - Opt for soft bras with broad straps:
This will help support your breasts without feeling uncomfortable. - Avoid frequent pregnancy tests:
Taking a test at the right time will give you more reliable results. Read on to know why this might not be the right time to test.
Pregnancy testing at 8 DPO - yes or no?
It is often difficult to wait until a missed period to take a pregnancy test. You might be tempted to try sooner, especially if you experience any of the symptoms described above. Here is why that might not be a great idea.
A positive pregnancy test relies on the rise in hCG levels released by the placenta.
After implantation, the placenta develops to support the baby throughout the pregnancy.
8 DPO is the time when implantation occurs. Therefore it is too early for hCG levels to rise.This means that you might be faced with a BFN (big fat negative) only because it is too early.
Instead, save yourself the disappointment and opt to test a little later.
But wait- what if I get a positive test at 8 DPO? That is normal too! It also depends upon the sensitivity of the test you are using. Some tests can detect much lower levels of hCG in the urine.
The bottom line:
- 8 DPO or eight days post ovulation is a very early stage of pregnancy.
- Look out for sure signs that hint towards successful pregnancy.
- 8 DPO symptoms can be managed with a few lifestyle changes.
- It may be too early to take a pregnancy test. Wait until you miss your period to take a pregnancy test.
