14DPO: pregnancy symptoms and testing at fourteen days post ovulation
Zara Mohammed
WriterWondering what symptoms to expect at 14dpo? Want to know if it's too early to take a pregnancy test? Here's everything you need to know about what to expect at fourteen days post ovulation.
You're probably very familiar by now with the abbreviation 'dpo', which stands for 'days post ovulation'. If not, then it simply refers to how many days have passed by since you last ovulated. You can use this info to work out when to take a pregnancy test and when to watch out for pregnancy symptoms.
According to the NHS, ovulation usually happens about two weeks before your next period., which is around the middle of an average 28 day cycle. You can keep track of ovulation a few different ways, including observing changes in your cervical mucus and basal body temperature. Alternatively, try our ovulation calculator, and read more about how ovulation works.
At 14 days post ovulation (14dpo) exciting developments could be happening in your body. We've looked at research from the NHS, Healthline and other experts, so that we can help you know what to expect...
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What’s happening in my body at 14dpo?
It's difficult to say exactly what's going on in your body right now, because that'll depend on a few things, like the length and regularity of your menstrual cycle, and when you last had sex.
We do know that today is an exciting milestone as you have officially reached the end of your TWW (two-week-wait) and you get to take a pregnancy test to find out if you're pregnant!
Here is a summary of what could be happening in your body...
At 14dpo, it's possible that:
- an egg has been released from your ovary, but made it through your fallopian tube without being fertilised (you’re not pregnant)
- an egg has been released from your ovary, was fertilised, and has now implanted in your womb (you’re pregnant)
Here's how it works:
Around the middle of your cycle ovulation takes place and your ovaries release an egg. If you had sex during your 'fertile window', which is during the five days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after (seven days in all), then sperm will be waiting to try and fertilise your egg.
The egg only has a 24 window to get fertilised. If the sperm fail, then the egg will continue to travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus and it will leave your body when you get your next period.
If the egg was successfully fertilised it will try to implant into the uterus wall. Implantation normally happens between 6 – 12 days past ovulation, which means if it's going to happen this month, implantation should have already occurred by now.
Successful implantation means that you are officially pregnant, and your body has started to produce the pregnancy hormone, or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is what will eventually tell your pregnancy test to show you a bfp (big fat positive), but it takes some time for levels of the hormone to build up in your body before a test can detect it.
Expect to wait around 7-12 days after implantation for hCG to build up to levels that will give a positive result. This is usually around the time you might start to notice early pregnancy symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and sore breasts.
What symptoms might I experience at 14dpo?
If you've taken a pregnancy test and it has rewarded you with a bfp (big fat positive) - Congratulations! How exciting. If you've taken one and the results are negative or unclear, don't lose hope. You may have got your dates slightly wrong. Plus, there's still time for more hCG to build up.
We know you're eager to know what to expect next in terms of pregnancy symptoms. Unfortunately, it's probably still too early for you to experience many pregnancy symptoms at 14dpo because the hCG levels are still too low. However, there are some women who do report super-early symptoms.
The big sign to look out for at this stage is your missed period! There could be many different reasons for a missed period and at 14dpo your period could still arrive any day.
According to the NHS, the main early symptoms of pregnancy to watch out for are:
- feeling or being sick
- feeling more tired than usual
- sore or tender breasts
- peeing more often
- strange tastes, smells or cravings
Learn more about the early signs of pregnancy.
What do other Netmums experience?
Here are some quotes from the Netmums forum, sharing real-life experiences at 14dpo:
'I got my first ever BFP this morning after 4 years TTC, I still can’t believe it’s real! I’m 14DPO, and had barely any symptoms. I’m a total symptom spotter and all of the “obvious pregnancy symptoms” I’ve experienced in the past turned into AF, my biggest symptom this time was probably the fact I didn’t have much going on tbh! Lack of symptoms is making me a bit nervous but I got a clear (faint but clear) line on an easy @ home cheapie, and then did a digital and got a pregnant 1-2 weeks so I’m hoping they are all positive signs for only 14DPO! Ive spent many days symptom googling so wanted to share what I have felt so far: Soft sharp pain in the left and right side of my ovaries, not super painful just there and a bit uncomfortable. Dull stomach ache, not quite cramping just achey. More tired than normal and had to have an early night the other night but not total fatigue. Couple of migraines which I always get leading up to AF so didn’t think much of it. Bit more damp down below but nothing major in terms of CM, not thick or white or anything. The odd shooting pain in my vagina last night. Last week I did have tender boobs but just assumed it was post ovulation soreness but maybe not! Hope this helps anyone in the TWW. Minimal symptoms doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a BFN ❤️' (Confirmed PREGNANT)
'Hi, I think I'm 14DPO today, (CD 27) I have had varied cycles. After coming off the implant I had one 30day, two 28 day and two 26 days. I assumed this one would probably be 26 days too, which meant I should have started AF today but no show so far. I took a first response test yesterday but BFN. I've had lower backache, pinching feelings in my abdomen and cramps. I started with constipation but now seem to have turned the other way (sorry, tmi!) And I feel different to what I have in the other months. Boobs aren't sore, when they usually are but they feel really heavy and my nipple's look darker. I keep thinking I've come on, I keep feeling pretty damp, but nothing there (again, tmi!) I'm not 100% sure when I OV'd this month as I didn't notice any EWCM, which was odd, but I now seem to have quite a bit of clear cm. Am I just symptom spotting or do I still have a chance?' (Confirmed – NOT PREGNANT)
'Hi all. I ovulated on the 24/03/16. Me and partner bedded all around then. My af was due yesterday.... still no sign. 10 dpo and half of 11 dpo. I had very light brown spotting. Not usual for me so may have been implantation bleeding. Before that I had been gassy with sore boobs. But that's about it. Since then I have been getting nausea and headaches. Very sore boobs. Darkened nipples. Little dots on them. Blue veins. Today I had a nosebleed after sneezing. Which is new for me. Little cramping but not much. Just a little back pain. Sore throat. And more cm enough that I'm wearing a pantyliner to be safe as not wanting to be caught out by af. But it's clear and odourless. Needing to pee a lot more. Off foods. Aware more of smells. And today at 14 dpo. Bfn. On cheap Internet 10mi test. First response 6 days early. And clear blue digital. So confused. Feel like I'm going crazy ......' (Pregnancy – not confirmed)
– Lei28egq
'I'm now 14dpo today and af is due tomorrow (I think). Keep feeling wet down there as if af had arrived but hasn't (yet). Keep getting slight twinges in left and right side. Usually get bad cramps when af is arriving, took a hpt but bfn. Maybe I'm totally out this month.' (Confirmed – NOT PREGNANT)
– Sar72wgq
'Hi all i just wanted to come on here and say it is possible to get symptoms early before even getting a positive pregnancy test! On so many forums ive read 'you can't get symptoms that early' and i think it puts people down when others say this. I wanted to share my own experience as it may help others have hope when ttc. Me and my OH have been trying since last month and my last period was 22nd Jan. In february i ovulated on Sunday 7th. About a week later i started feel very mjld period like pains. I also had a sharp lower back pain (left side). A couple of days after i was burping and hiccuping together! It was abit painful whenever i did it maybe heartburn? Not sure as ive never really had heartburn before. But this was weird as thats never happened to me. Another symptom was feeling so sleepy! My eyes felt heavy i felt i was struggling to keep them open. When watching movies with my hubby in the evening id fall asleep into a deep sleep. Every morning i felt so hungry and empty in my stomach and felt nauseous until i ate something. At 14dpo after breakfast i had the burping and hiccuping again and when i bent down i felt puke come up my throat but then it went. I was feeling quite nauseous. I was due AF this day but there was no sign of it which was strange as i always start a couple of days early. That evening i took a clearblue digi and got a BFP! I was surprised but not suprised as i felt off and i just had a feeling because of all my symptoms. So if you feel any symptoms there may be hope! Dont let anyone tell you you cant get symptoms early. Everyones body is different some people do some people don't.' (Confirmed – PREGNANT)
– Tabz P
What if I’m spotting or bleeding at 14dpo?
If you've noticed a small amount of bleeding at 14dpo and you haven't had a positive pregnancy test result, you might be wondering if it's implantation bleeding or if your period is on it's way.
According to Healthline, 'Early pregnancy bleeding is fairly common and may occur in up to 25 percent of the population. In many cases, it’s the first sign of pregnancy.' They say that implantation bleeding can take place 'between 7 and 14 days after conception.' So there is a small chance that the bleeding you have noticed is related to implantation.
Implantation bleeding is thought to occur when the fertilised egg burrows into the uterine wall and ruptures a small amount of blood vessels in the lining.
If you're struggling to tell the difference, implantation bleeding is typically lighter than period bleeding, and it will only ask a few days (24 - 48 hours). Other symptoms of implantation bleeding can be similar to the symptoms you get with your period.
According to Healthline implantation symptoms can include:
- mood swings
- nausea
- headaches
- back pain
- light cramps
- tender or swollen breasts
Can I take a pregnancy test at 14dpo?
Yes, you can take a pregnancy test at 14dpo and expect accurate results.. The NHS recommends taking a pregnancy test from the day your period is due, which is typically about 14dpo Results may vary if your cycle is different.
Some very sensitive tests may be able to give you a result even before your period is due (from as early as 9dpo), but you'll probably get the most accurate results if you wait. So if you have already taken an early test and received a BFN (big fat negative) then now is a great time to try again.
Pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Your body doesn't start producing hCG until after a fertilised egg has implanted in your womb, and it takes several days for your body to produce enough hCG for a pregnancy test to detect. Around 14dpo there should be enough hCG in your system for a pregnancy test to detect.
Learn more about when to take a pregnancy test.
If you get a BFP (big fat positive) congratulations! Now's the time to call your GP or midwife to book your first antenatal appointment.
My period hasn’t arrived, but the pregnancy test is still negative
You've suffered through the TWW and your patience has run out, so you've taken a pregnancy test but it's a BFN (big fat negative). What does it mean if your period still hasn't arrived though?
A pregnancy test at 14dpo is likely to be accurate, but you can try taking another one in a few days if you're not sure.
There are a few reasons your period may be late:
1. You could be pregnant but have low hormone levels
If your hCG levels are low, a pregnancy test might not be sensitive enough to detect them, even at 14dpo. This may be the case if you conceived later on in your cycle.
According to Healthline, ''there can be as much as a 13-day difference in when ovulation occurs, meaning that you may think you are 4 weeks pregnant when you’re only two weeks along. Pregnancy bleeding, recent hormonal contraceptive use, or breastfeeding can all interfere with accurately knowing your dates, as well.'
2. You may be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy
According to the NHS, 'an ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.'. Healthline adds that, in about 3% of cases, an ectopic pregnancy doesn't lead to a positive pregnancy test.
If you notice any of the following symptoms you should seek immediate medical advice:
- severe pain in your lower abdomen or on one side
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- bleeding or spotting
- nausea and vomiting
3. Your lifestyle may have an effect on your cycle
Stress and poor diet are common factors when it comes to irregularities in your menstrual cycle. What you eat and drink can also have an impact, for example, dirking too much caffeine or not eating enough food. Sudden changes like starting a new intensive exercise routine, or doing a lot of overtime at work can also cause changes to your periods, as can being very overweight or underweight.
4. Breastfeeding could cause irregularities in your cycle
When your period returns after having a baby, it'll take some time for it to settle back into its usual flow. Breastfeeding is also unpredictable because your growing baby's needs are constantly changing, so growth spurts and more frequent night feeds could have a knock-on effect on your periods.
5. Medical conditions can affect your period
Irregular cycles, heavy periods and missed periods are common if you suffer from certain medical conditions. You should speak to your doctor if you are concerned about any of these things.
Here are some of the medical conditions likely to impact your cycle:
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- thyroid problems
- menopause
6. Medications can interfere with your menstrual cycle
You might be aware that birth control can cause irregularities in your cycle, but other medications can also have an impact and throw it off. If you're taking any medication, it may be worth having a chat with a pharmacist or GP, to check whether it could be affecting your cycle.
If you still think you might be pregnant, it's worth testing again in a few days. If tests continue to be negative, there are plenty of other reasons that you might miss your period this month, and many don't mean there's anything wrong. According to the NHS, you should see your GP if you've missed more than three periods in a row with no positive pregnancy test (but do speak to them sooner if you have any other symptoms that concern you).
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More on DPO
If you want to keep an eye on your potential pregnancy symptoms and what's going in your body on each day post ovulation, check out our articles from day 1 to 19:
1DPO • 2DPO.• 3DPO • 4DPO • 5DPO • 6DPO • 7DPO • 8DPO • 9DPO • 10DPO • 11DPO • 12DPO • 13DPO • 14DPO • 15DPO • 16DPO • 17DPO • 18DPO • 19DPO
