7DPO: pregnancy symptoms and testing at seven days post ovulation

Wondering what symptoms to expect at 7dpo? Trying to figure out if it's time to take a pregnancy test yet? Here's everything you need to know about what to expect at seven days post ovulation.

If you're trying for a baby, you're probably already aware of the term 'days post ovulation'. It means exactly what you'd think: how many days it's been since you ovulated.

According to the NHS, ovulation usually happens about two weeks before your next period. If you're not sure exactly when you last ovulated, try our ovulation calculator, or read more about how ovulation works.

But if you know you're currently at seven days past ovulation (7dpo), we've dug into the research from the NHS, Healthline and other experts, to let you know exactly what to expect...

What's happening in my body at 7dpo?

Exactly what's happening in your body depends on a lot of factors, including the length of your menstrual cycle, and when you last had sex. At 7dpo, it's possible that:

• an egg has been released and made it down the fallopian tube without being fertilised (not pregnant)
• an egg has been released and fertilised, but hasn't yet implanted in your womb (maybe pregnant)
• an egg has been fertilised, and has implanted in your womb (pregnant)

Here's how it works:

On the day of ovulation, an egg is released from one of your ovaries, and starts to travel down the fallopian tube towards your womb. If it encounters sperm on the journey, it may become fertilised. If not, the egg will leave your body during your next period.

Sperm can live in the body for up to five days, so if you had sex in the days leading up to ovulation, or the day immediately afterwards, the egg could become fertilised within 24 hours of ovulation.

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If the egg is fertilised, it continues its journey down the fallopian tube towards the womb. According to Healthline, the fertilised egg usually implants in the womb about 8-9 days after fertilisation, though it can vary by quite a few days either way.

In general, implantation usually happens somewhere between 6 - 12 days past ovulation (6dpo - 12dpo). So although it's possible that it could have happened at 7dpo, it's more likely that there's a few more days to go.

Once the fertilised egg has implanted in your womb, your body will start making the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is what gives a positive pregnancy test, and it also contributes to early pregnancy symptoms, like nausea, sore breasts and fatigue.

It can take time for hCG to build up in your body, though. According to Heathline, it takes about 7-12 days after implantation for hCG levels to be detectable. So that's anything from 13dpo onwards; or around the time that your period would be due.

What symptoms might I experience at 7dpo?

In most cases, you're unlikely to experience any pregnancy symptoms at 7dpo. There is a chance that a fertilised egg may have implanted in your womb, but your hCG levels aren't likely to have risen enough to start causing symptoms yet.

However, it's not impossible that you may start experiencing some early pregnancy symptoms around now. 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 7dpo:

'At 7dpo I have a mild headache, hot flushes. Lots going on in the abdomen?? Mild cramps, twinges, gurgles and pinches (never really felt these before?) episodes of dizziness (mainly when standing) sore through and achy muscles. feels like i might be getting a cold? (remember feeling like that last time?!) increased saliva, increased thirst and urinary frequency (but also drinking more so...) gassy and bloated.'
- Anon (later updated to say she was not pregnant)

'Cramping all day, they come and go. Sharp pain in the pelvic region. Back pain almost killing me (I never get them) and they spread to the back of my thighs. This is probably tmi, but I was constipated. Could this be implantation at 7 dpo? Isn't that early?'
- Debbie

'Quite intense period like pains & lower back ache. Not intense as in painful, but very clearly there and very uncomfortable.'

- Anon (later updated to say she had a positive pregnancy test)

'My cervix hasn't dropped yet it is high soft & almost closed all the way. Some creamy cm. Also my back on my lower left side has been cramping but my pelvic on my right side has been cramping too, it's odd.'
- Anon (later updated to say she was not pregnant)

'Weird dull pains in middle of uterus and to the side. Really tired I slept in till half one the other day 😂 Headaches , creamy/sticky cm painful legs but my boobs or nipples aren't sore'
- Anon

'I felt like AF was coming to town; super sore cramps, backache, shoulders aching... and this morning what looked like red tinged CM in my underwear 😬 There was more of it when I got to work but nothing when I wiped (sorry if you’re eating ha!). Feel like I’ve done 100 sit ups, whole pelvic area so bloated and sore feeling.'
- C a G (later updated to say she had a positive pregnancy test)

'I've a stuffy nose but seems to run when I'm outside. I've creamy white cm. I've cramps. Ive a dull ache in my belly like hunger pains. Full of wind. I seem to be going to the loo more often (every time I seem to drink anything). The sides of my boobs are sore like right to my arm pit. I'm exhausted! Like really exhausted! Im constantly flushed, rosy cheeks and I feel so sick, I'm so pale and everyone keeps commenting on it. Terrible headaches at night before bedtime.'
- Sara (later updates suggest this user was not pregnant)

'I've been needing to pass urine a lot more regularly and I've had such terrible gas with no apparent cause - nothing has changed in my eating habits or anything and I'm definitely not drinking more than I normally would - and I've also been feeling incredibly sick after car journeys.'
- Anon

'So nauseous in the morning especially, but also throughout the day.'
- charmummy0 (later updated to say she was not pregnant)

Can I take a pregnancy test at 7dpo?

No, unfortunately it's still a bit too early. 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.

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.

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. Even then, it takes several days for your body to produce enough hCG for a pregnancy test to detect.

Learn more about when to take a pregnancy test.

How can I get through the TWW?

Anyone who's tried to conceive knows that the Two-Week Wait to take a pregnancy test can be some of the longest days of your life! The important thing is to be kind to yourself.

Know that it's completely normal to obsess over symptoms, but try to distract yourself as much as possible. Now's the perfect time to delve into a good book, watch that box set everyone's been talking about, or download a fun game on your phone.

Try to avoid the temptation to test too early; a BFN at 7dpo doesn't really mean anything, and you won't know the true results for at least a few more days.

You can always chat about your symptoms and find buddies to support you through the TWW by joining a Trying To Conceive Club in the Netmums Forum.

Plus, check out our other top tips for surviving the TWW.

This article was reviewed by Diane, a former fertility nurse, who runs Fertility Network UK’s Support Line.

Fertility Network UK is a charity that provides information, advice, support and understanding for anyone who's trying to conceive, going through fertility treatment, or living without children.

If you're facing fertility challenges, you can call their support line at any time from 10am to 4pm, or email:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 0121 323 5025, support@fertilitynetworkuk.org
• Tuesday and Thursday: 07816 086694, janet@fertilitynetworkuk.org

The charity also runs fertility groups across the country, and online webinars, for even more support. Find out more at fertilitynetworkuk.org

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