The onset of pregnancy is an exciting moment for every woman. We will tell you more about which week the expectant mother can find out that she is already expecting a baby.
How to determine a successful conception that has taken place?
There are many ways to determine pregnancy. Moreover, both precise instrumental examinations and laboratory tests come to the aid of modern women. Our great-grandmothers did not have such possibilities of definition. They determined the appearance of a "new resident" in their abdomen most often by clinical signs. This knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation and is even used today.
The question "How long have I been?" many girls ask themselves when a pregnancy test is positive. This can also be determined with modern methods.
Many women, especially those who are eager to become mothers, use several methods to determine pregnancy at once. This helps them make sure they are really expecting a baby.
By laboratory tests
The most common method for determining the occurrence of conception is the use of special test systems. Modern manufacturers of such laboratory systems offer many of these products. Obstetricians-gynecologists note that this method is quite reliable. However, one should not rush to conduct it, since at too early stages it can show a false-negative result.
In order to understand how pregnancy is determined through the use of a test, one should touch on the main biological aspects. Conceiving a baby is a real sacrament. For it to happen, two sex cells are needed. Moreover, one of them must be male (sperm), and the other female (egg). If the fusion of cellular elements occurs, then conception becomes possible. However, this is not yet a real pregnancy.
A sperm fertilized female reproductive cell does not always successfully attach to the uterine endometrium. In this case, further development of the embryo will not work. If everything goes well, then in this case the fertilized egg is attached to the wall of the uterus, which means that the pregnancy continues to develop.
The "work" of tests that determine pregnancy is to determine chorionic gonadotropin in the urine... The level of this hormonal substance begins to increase not in the first seconds after conception, but somewhat later. Reproductologists note that the concentration of hCG increases statistically significantly, as a rule, by 6-7 days after the fusion of the germ cells, that is, approximately a week after intercourse.
In the test systems used to determine pregnancy, special substances are used that have different sensitivity to human chorionic gonadotropin. If the level of this hormone in the blood and urine of a woman is increased, then a laboratory test will definitely show this. It is in this case that the “same” two stripes appear on the test. In some tests, the word "pregnant" appears instead of such stripes, which means "pregnant."
Test systems for determining pregnancy of the 1st generation are based on detecting the level of hCG in the urine. In order to find out about the "interesting situation", such the test should be placed in the collected urine for 10-15 seconds. In this case, it is recommended to carry out such an examination in the morning.... At this time, the level of chorionic gonadotropin is higher in the urine. Morning examination is necessary if pregnancy is determined at the earliest possible date.
To determine a successful conception 2nd generation laboratory tests can also be used. They are specific test cassettes... They are made of plastic. Moreover, such laboratory systems have a small window in which stripes appear after the end of the test.
Many women prefer to use 3rd generation tests, as they do not pre-collect urine... Such systems are also called jet systems, since the study can be carried out right at the time of urination.
Many women are in such a hurry to determine pregnancy that they begin to resort to using such tests on the first day after the intended conception. However, at this time, the level of chorionic gonadotropin is practically not increased, which means that it is simply impossible to determine the success of conception. Obstetricians-gynecologists advise in this case not to rush, but to wait a few days before the delay of menstruation.
According to clinical signs
If a woman is not planning a child, then in this case she does not expect pregnancy. But this does not at all exclude the fact that she cannot get pregnant.
Pregnancy can be suspected not only with the help of screening tests purchased at the pharmacy. For many years before their appearance, women determined possible pregnancy based on specific symptoms. It is worth noting that even if several of the clinical signs are found, this does not yet indicate a completed conception. These clinical manifestations are so subjective that doctors do not advise to interpret their position according to them.
You can suspect pregnancy without a doctor with a detailed assessment of your well-being. So, Possible signs of a successful completed conception include:
- soreness and swelling of the mammary glands;
- change in appetite (both increased and sudden aversion to food);
- fast fatiguability;
- drowsiness;
- change of mood (spontaneous tearfulness, irritability, aggression);
- pain in the lower abdomen (often pulling or tingling), not associated with physical activity;
- frequent urge to use the toilet (especially at night).
These clinical signs can also be a manifestation of premenstrual syndrome. For example, soreness in the lower abdomen, mood changes and frequent urge to urinate appear in many women who do not tolerate PMS well. That is why such symptoms often do not cause any concern in a woman.
Obstetricians-gynecologists advise their patients never to rely entirely on these signs.... They can only be a "hint" of the organism that some changes are taking place in it.
If, against the background of these symptoms, a woman has a delay in menstruation, then in this case she should think about conducting a urine test to determine a successful conception.
Precise ways to determine
All previous methods are more indicative. They only help to suspect pregnancy. However, only a doctor can determine the characteristic changes after the completed conception. He conducts an examination of the genitals, and also directs to undergo an ultrasound examination.
Gynecological examination
The gynecologist "sees" the pregnancy during the examination. He assesses the condition of the genitals, in particular, determines the size of the uterus. Throughout pregnancy, the uterus enlarges. This is due to the fact that the baby grows and develops in it.
If the gynecologist, after the examination, determined the presence of signs of pregnancy, then he will recommend additional research. This is necessary in order to confirm the completed conception, as well as to establish the estimated date.
Determination of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood
It so happens that tests for the determination of hCG in urine still showed a negative result, but pregnancy has already begun. Obstetricians-gynecologists note that such a situation does occur. In order to dispel your own doubts and accurately determine the level of hCG, you need to take a blood test... This study is more informative than the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin in urine.
It is recommended to donate blood for the determination of this substance in the morning.... Do not eat before visiting the laboratory. It is also recommended to limit physical activity the day before the study.
Ultrasound
Through an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, you can not only see ovulation, confirm the fact of successful conception, but also find out which week of pregnancy is going on. It is very important that the examination is carried out by an experienced specialist. Often there are reviews of women who conducted the examination too early and faced false negative results.
Modern ultrasound devices help to identify even the smallest formations, including fetal elements, at the earliest stages of intrauterine development. So, even a fertilized egg, which has a size of about 0.5 cm, can be detected by ultrasound.
In this case, the specialist must also determine the size of the uterus, and can also assess the presence of concomitant pathologies.
The following video will tell you more about the first signs of pregnancy.
