Blood tests can pick up hCG earlier in a pregnancy than urine tests can, so you could possibly find out if you are pregnant about 6 to 8 days after you ovulate (or release an egg from an ovary) and before you miss a period. That means they can provide a more accurate answer very early on in the pregnancy, within about 7-12 days after conception.

Even with pregnancy blood tests, there are 2 types. A quantitative blood test (or the beta hCG test) measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood. It can find even tiny amounts of hCG which makes it very accurate.

Qualitative hCG blood tests only check to see if the pregnancy hormone is present or not, so it just gives a yes or no answer. The qualitative hCG blood test is about as accurate as a urine test.
Either test typically requires sending the blood sample to the lab for analysis and may take anywhere from a few hours to more than a day to get the results.

Your doctor may choose to use a blood test to match hCG levels as the pregnancy progresses since hCG levels usually double about every 2 days during the first few weeks of pregnancy. For instance, if the levels don’t rise, it may indicate a problem with the pregnancy. Or, extremely high hCG levels may mean a woman is carrying twins.

OK, you know you are pregnant.

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For a normal first pregnancy, many women start to show at about 20 weeks. However, there are a few factors to consider when wondering when you will start to show.

Weight

If your really thin, your growing belly may be obvious before 20 weeks. On the other hand, obese women may not show a pronounced bump during the pregnancy at all.

Also, if you gain a lot of weight in your first trimester (5 pounds is appropriate), your bump may show sooner too.

Height

Shorter women tend to show earlier, taller women later.

Your physical condition

If your are very tone and fit, you have strong stomach muscles that will stay taut for some time. Your pregnancy may not show until 20 weeks or later.

Number of pregnancies

After the first pregnancy has stretched out muscles, you will probably show earlier for every pregnancy that follows, even if you get back into shape after the first. Your bump might show as early as 12 weeks.

Clothes

Of course, how obvious you make your growing belly is a factor. If you wear snug, fitted clothing, draping fabrics or tailored outfits, your bump may ’show’ as soon as it develops on you. Women who wear loose clothing aren’t really showing later, but are just able to keep it quiet a bit longer.

What’s next? Find out if you are pregnant for sure.

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Best time to take a pregnancy test

Try to take a home pregnancy test first thing in the morning. First morning urine is when hCG levels are most easily detected. If not, make sure your urine had been in your bladder for at least 4 hours.

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