4DPO: pregnancy symptoms and testing at four days post ovulation

Wondering what symptoms to expect at 4dpo? 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 four days post ovulation.

When you're trying for a baby everything feels significant, and that's because it is, even as early as 4dpo! You're probably familiar with the term 'dpo' or 'days post ovulation' by now, so you'll know that it refers to how many days have passed since you ovulated.

Ovulation happens around the middle of your cycle. The NHS website says that it'll usually occur about two weeks before your next period. You can read more about how ovulation works, or use our ovulation calculator to check your own dates.

Now that you know you're four days post ovulation (4dpo), we've checked out all the research from the NHS, Healthline and other experts, and we're here to share with you what we've found so that we can help you know what to expect...

What's happening in my body at 4dpo?

Four days post ovulation is still very early, but there are definitely things happening in your body right now that you'll be interested to find out about. The following may vary depending on when you last had sex and how long your cycle usually is.

At 4dpo one of two scenarios could be taking place:

• After you ovulated your ovaries released an egg and it began its journey through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. Unfortunately, it wasn't fertilised by sperm. (This means that you're not pregnant this month.)
• After you ovulated your ovaries released an egg and as it began its journey through the fallopian tube it was met by sperm and got fertilised. (This means that you conceived, but you're not pregnant yet, as the fertilised egg hasn't implanted in your womb.)

Here's how it works:

After ovulation takes place and an egg is released from the ovaries, it only has a 24 hour window to be fertilised by sperm. If you had sex during your fertile window, which includes the five days days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation and the day after, then the sperm will have been waiting to intercept the egg and fertilise it. Sperm have a lifespan of five days in the body.

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If fertilisation did happen, this is what's called 'conception'. If you conceived, however, that doesn't necessarily mean that you're pregnant, or that you'll definitely get pregnant. Pregnancy only occurs after implantation.

So right now your egg is making its way through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If the egg has been fertilised it will try to implant into the lining of your womb. If it succeeds - congratulations - you're pregnant! If the egg doesn't implant, or if it wasn't fertilised in time, then it will pass with the lining of your womb when you have your period.

Implantation usually happens somewhere between 6 - 12 days past ovulation (6dpo - 12dpo). So there are still a couple of days left before your egg will have the opportunity to begin implanting.

You'll have to wait longer than that to find out if you're pregnant though. This is because after implantation your body will start to produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is the pregnancy hormone that pregnancy tests detect in order to give you your BFP (big fat positive). It also contributes towards early pregnancy symptoms, like nausea, sore breasts and fatigue.

Keep in mind that it does take time for hCG levels to build up in your system. According to Healthline, it takes about 7-12 days after implantation for hCG levels to be detectable. That's anything from 13dpo onwards. So basically around the time that your period would be due.

What symptoms might I experience at 4dpo?

It's very unlikely that you are experiencing any actual pregnancy symptoms at 4dpo. Genuine pregnancy symptoms are triggered when your body starts to produce hCG, the pregnancy hormone, after implantation has occurred. Your egg is still travelling down the fallopian tube, so it hasn't had the chance to implant yet.

You'll have to wait a minimum of two more days before there is the smallest possibility that implantation has occurred early. Even then, it takes time for hCG to build up in your system, and so you're unlikely to experience any pregnancy symptoms straight away.

Some woman do report feeling changes in their bodies early on though, and if you are too, then you might be wondering if what you're experiencing are pregnancy symptoms.

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?

We want to be supportive to all women, because every woman's experience of pregnancy and childbirth is different and unique. So we've found some quotes from our forum from other Netmums sharing their real-life experiences at 4dpo:

'Hello, Before I begin I feel I must explain I am aware it is very rare to get symptoms so early on, but I thought it would be interesting to see if any of you ladies are having symptoms or if any of you noticed things early on and now have you BFP. I am currently 4DPO and cycle day 44, so this is what I am having which is out of the norm for me. 2DPO - Mild cramps in my lower left abdomen. 3DPO - Mild cramps in my lower left abdomen, stuffy nose, constipation. 4DPO - Mild cramps in my lower left abdomen starting to radiate, sore lower back, stuffy nose, sore throat and feel like I am coming down with a cold (would be my 3rd cold this year), low energy that I am putting down to the fact I am struggling to sleep properly at night.'

– Clare M(1316)

'Hi ladies, I know it's super early and implantation probably couldn't even occur yet, but, I'm very in tune with my body and I have noticed some changes already at 4 DPO....I've had cramping and sharp shooting pains that are central, vaginal area. I've also got a huge amount of CM when I would have normally dried up by now. I've also been dizzy and faint at times and felt very tired. I know I ovulated Sunday as I used a clear blue ovulation monitor and I feel my ovulation happen. I have been pregnant before and felt all these things but never this early.' (Resulted in pregnancy)

– Alex S(246)

'With my last pregnancy i got mt bfp at 12dpo but from 3dpo i got cramping every day which i only normally get day af arrives. I also had alot of thick white cm. These kinda gave it away for me.' (Resulted in pregnancy)

– Natali W(3)

'At 4dpo I had stomach cramps really low down, dark nipples and sore when brushed against, snotty and sneezing in the mornings (this happened every morning but was fine all day) and weeing often. I got my BFP yesterday at 14dpo x' (Resulted in pregnancy)

– Sam M(527)

'4dpo is way too early for any symptoms. I found that I actually had more 'symptoms' on the months that I didn't conceive, than the ones that I did. True pregnancy symptoms kicked in around 6 weeks for me. Good luck xx'

– Rfnc73wgg

'Hi! I’m 4DPO, been TTC for a few months now with no luck. I’m 44 trying for baby #1 naturally so I know it will be a challenge. Since yesterday I have had cramping and spotting, back pain and fatigue. Right now I have pain on the left side and a little spotting. My boobs are sore too. Waiting until AF due date 11/20 and hoping for BFP. Good luck and please keep us posted, I will do the same.'

– Cat K(26)

'Hi all, im now 4dpo and am starting to drive myself a little crazy with symptom spotting. i have been have lower abdominal aches and twinges since yesterday and today i am getting lots of creamy white discharge(sorry tmi)plus need to pee lot(maybe drinking too much):hmmm: are these symptoms of an impending bfp or am i just getting my hopes up?? what's everyone elses symptoms been and what was your end result??'

– Ama76gow

Can I take a pregnancy test at 4dpo?

We're so sorry, we know the TTW wait is going to be hell, but 4dpo is still too soon to take a pregnancy test. Even if your egg has been fertilised, it hasn't had time to travel all the way down the fallopian tube and implant into the lining of your womb yet.

Even when implantation has occurred, the levels of hCG being produced in your body will be nowhere near enough for a pregnancy test to detect it.

The NHS recommends taking a pregnancy test from the day your period is due, which is typically about 14dpo for someone on an average 28-day cycle. So you still have around 10 days to wait.

There are extra sensitive pregnancy tests that are able to detect hCG much sooner, from around 9dpo in fact. But if you want to minimise your stress and get an accurate result, it's best to wait at least until your period is due.

Learn more about when to take a pregnancy test.

How can I get through the TWW?

Getting through the two-week-wait before you can take a pregnancy test and know where you stand is the hardest bit. Waiting for news, whether it's good news or bad news, can make time feel like it's going so slowly that it's practically stopped! The only way to get through it is to be kind to yourself and find distractions.

Obsessing over details is perfectly normal, so don't give yourself a hard time, everyone does it! But try to be sensible and practical. You're only 4dpo, so you're not likely to be experiencing anything significant right now. Pour your energy into something that makes you feel good instead.

Here are our top 10 positive ways to distract yourself during the TWW:

1. Loose yourself in a good book
2. Find an absorbing box set or series on Netflix
3. Download a new game onto your phone
4. Find ways to pamper yourself and relax
5. Make plans with friends and socialise
6. Throw yourself into work and be productive
7. Get away if you can and have a change of scene
8. Spend quality time with your partner
9. Make yourself useful to other people
10. Get your life and home in order.

If you find yourself passing the chemist, don't be tempted to get a pregnancy test - unless they're on sale and you're prepping for when your period is due. Taking a test this early is only going to lead to two things - disappointment and frustration.

A bfn at 4dpo doesn't really mean anything, because your egg hasn't even implanted yet - there's still time for that to happen, so hold on to those tests.

Some women find it helpful to share their experiences. Why not chat about your symptoms and find buddies to support you through the TWW by joining a Trying To Conceive Club in the Netmums Forum?

You can also check out our other top tips for surviving the TWW.

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