Getting Pregnant Forum - Pregnancy tests: when is too early to test?

Pregnancy Forum > Getting Pregnant Forum > Pregnancy tests: when is too early to test?

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Q: Pregnancy tests: when is too early to test?

asked by: DoctorQuestion on December 11th, 2006

Hello,

I already have two children (I am blessed)& I am trying to get pregnant again. My husband and I had sex on the 3rd of this month and I was ovulating. About 4 days later, I experienced cramping and a light tint of blood as if I was going to have my period. The bleeding stopped after that one day/time. Apparently, I am scheduled to have my period around the 16th. I am getting acne like when I get my period every month. Is it too early to test with a home pregnancy test (first response brand)? Also, do you think the cramping/bleeding was implantation bleeding?

Thank you!

Michelle

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 8th, 2007

Getting Pregnant Answer A1993

According to your expected period date, you probably ovulated around the 2nd of December and having sex on the next day gives you real chances to conceive. Implantation happens 10 days (not 4) after conception; “implantation bleeding” does not exist in medical circles. The earliest you can take a pregnancy test is 5 days before the expected period date. A blood based pregnancy test is more sensitive than urine based tests in such cases. You may also wait to see if you miss the period before you test for pregnancy.

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