19DPO: pregnancy symptoms and testing at nineteen days post ovulation
Zara Mohammed
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Wondering what symptoms to expect at 19dpo? 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 nineteen days post ovulation.
If you're waiting to find out whether or not you're pregnant, you have probably come across the term 'dpo' by now. It stands for 'days post ovulation' and refers to how many days have passed since you ovulated. You'll need to know this info in order to work out where in your cycle you are.
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. Women calculate their ovulation date in different ways, some prefer to observe changes in their cervical mucus or track their basal body temperature. If you're struggling to understand where you are in your own cycle you can try our ovulation calculator and read more about how ovulation works.
At 19 days post ovulation (19dpo) you could be well into your 5th week of pregnancy and exciting developments may 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 19dpo?
If you haven't yet had a positive pregnancy test result, yet your period still hasn't arrived, you must be very confused and want to know what's happening. It's difficult to say though, because it depends on a few things, like the length of your menstrual cycle and how regular your periods are, and also when you last had sex.
What we do know for sure is that you are out of the woods, having reached the end of your TWW (two-week-wait). This means that you can take a pregnancy test and pretty much rely on the fact that the result is most likely to be accurate.
If you haven't yet taken a test, or you have but the results are unclear, here is a summary of what could be happening in your body...
At 19dpo, 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:
Ovulation will have occurred approximately mid-cycle, or two weeks before your period was due. This means that an egg was released at this time from your ovaries. 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 total) - then sperm will have been waiting to try and fertilise your egg as soon as it was released.
The egg only has a 24 window to get fertilised. If the sperm failed, then the egg continued 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 have tried to implant into the uterus wall. Implantation normally happens between 6 – 12 days past ovulation, which means that implantation should have already occurred by now if you are pregnant.
Successful implantation officially marks the beginning of your pregnancy. It is when your body will start 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 does take 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 conception 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 19dpo?
If you've already taken a pregnancy test and found a bfp (big fat positive) congratulations on your pregnancy! If you've taken one and it was negative or unclear you might be wondering why your period still hasn't arrived. It's normal for there to be some confusion sometimes; you may have got your dates slightly wrong, and there could still be more time for hCG to build up in your body.
We know you're eager to know what to expect next in terms of pregnancy symptoms. However, it's still a bit too early for you to experience many pregnancy symptoms at 19dpo because the hCG levels are still too low, although, some women do report early symptoms.
The biggest first pregnancy sign to look out for at this stage is your missed period! There could be many different reasons for a missed period and at 19dpo your period could literally be about to arrive. It's still good to have an idea of what to expect if you are pregnant though.
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 19dpo:
'Hello ladies, I am now 19dpo and have been getting bf a constantly since day 9. I tracked ovulation and I ovulated on 23-24 April. I have been having so many symptoms: cramping, headache, dizziness, bloating, constipation, body ache, hungry all the time, wake up at night feeling extremely hot, also my cervix is high up (sorry tmi). My dizziness is extremely bad, I keep feeling dizziness almost throughout the day. I was supposed to get AF on 8-9th and now I am 5 days late with no PMS symptoms. I am just confused if I am not pregnant why am I having so many symptoms and is it even possible to get a bfp later than this? Please help!' (Confirmed – NOT PREGNANT)
'Have done some looking on Google to see if I can figure out what's going on with me. I'm currently 3/4 days late, had cramping and bloating and horrendous bad back fri/sat. Have had 2 bfn tests, came to the conclusion I wasn't pg and body is just being a d**k! However I have found something that says possible to not get positive test until 19dpo? So I might not be out, AF is showing no sign of coming' (Confirmed – NOT PREGNANT)
– Emm07cua
'Hi all, I'm new to this so hopefully I'm doing it right! I'm currently around 19dpo and I've had no AF symptoms at all. Usually I get cramps and terrible PMS for 7 days before, but this month I've been very calm! I came off the Pill in May and ever since I've had the same 28 day cycle every month with ovulation pain on the 14th day. I did a cheap dip test on Monday, 15 dpo, and it was negative. I haven't tested since and still nothing going on down there...' (Pregnancy not confirmed)
– Lau21kjw
'Hi Everyone. My husband and I have been TTC since Oct last year. I had an early miscarriage back in march this year. I used to have a regular cycle of 28/29 days. But after the MC I was 32 days (which was to be expected) next one 24 days then last month I was 26 days. So I thought I was starting normalise. But today I am 34 days, never been this late before! All tests have been BFN's. Had no period symptoms either. Waiting for HCG blood test results' (Pregnancy not confirmed)
'Hi ladies, I am new to this site but have been reading loads of threads on here. Here is my story... I came off the pill last September 2019 and had been on it for over 14 years with no break. We have decided to now try soft a baby. Over the few few months my cycle was all over the place having some cycles of upto 49 days. The last two cycles have been 33 and 30 so thought my body was getting back into its own cycle again. I have been tracking my ovulation dates and this month I had a positive OPK on 1st April. I am now 19 days post ovulation and still no sign of my period. I Have had extremely sore boobs the past week and half to the point I can not lay on them, had a few dizzy spells when I’ve got up a few times and had a few cramps. Do you think I just have a long Lat phase or could I be pregnant? Please help X' (Pregnancy not confirmed)
'Hey guys, I'm on a 43 day cycle and currently 19dpo.. I tested at 14dpo- bfn, and 19dpo today- bfn. I don't know what's going on, been feeling nausea and tired. But symptoms have seem to have gone today? Anyone got their bfp really late or am I out? Any advice would be great! Thanks guys' (Pregnancy not confirmed)
– Sam38irk
What if I’m spotting or bleeding at 19dpo?
If you haven't yet had a positive pregnancy test at 19dpo, or the results so far have either been negative or unclear, and you've suddenly noticed a small amount of bleeding that doesn't feel like your normal period, you'll probably be confused. You may even be questioning whether or not the bleeding is related to implantation rather than your period arriving.
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.'
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. It's unlikely that the bleeding you have noticed is related to implantation, unless you have managed to get your dates mixed up and you're not as far along as you thought.
If you're struggling to tell the difference, implantation bleeding is typically lighter than period bleeding, and it will only last 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 19dpo?
If you haven't already taken a pregnancy test, or the tests you have taken previously have been unclear or negative, and yet your period hasn't arrived yet, then yes, you can take a pregnancy test at 19dpo and expect accurate results. The NHS recommends taking a pregnancy test from the day your period is due, which is typically about 14dpo, but 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 will 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 19dpo 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
At 19dpo the TWW (two-week-wait) is well and truly over. If you've taken a test, and we're sure you have, but it gave you a bfn (big fat negative) you're no doubt wondering what it means if your period still hasn't arrived..
A pregnancy test at 19dpo is likely to be accurate, but you can try taking another one if you're not sure. It's worth keeping in mind that it might just be a waiting game now for AF to come to town. But don't lose hope entirely, especially if you're not certain about your ovulation dates.
Here 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 19dpo. This may be the case if you conceived later on in your cycle, or if you have got your ovulation dates confused.
According to Healthline, ''there can be as much as a 13-day difference in when ovulation occurs, meaning that you may think you're 5 weeks pregnant when you’re only three 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, drinking 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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When do I ovulate? Signs and symptoms of ovulation
CHAT: Join your 'trying to conceive' club
9 things you know if you've struggled to get pregnant
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
