8 DPO: What to expect, and how to tell if you’re pregnant

An image of a menstrual cycle wheel showing 8 days past ovulation (DPO).
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Created with Natasha Lowe Osho, MD, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, USA

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In a nutshell

At 8 DPO (8 days past ovulation):

  • Implantation may be occurring or have recently occurred for some women.
  • Hormone levels continue to rise, particularly progesterone.
  • Early pregnancy symptoms may become more noticeable, but many women still won’t feel different. 8 DPO symptoms can be similar to PMS, making it challenging to distinguish between the two.
  • While still early, some highly sensitive pregnancy tests might detect pregnancy in some cases.

What does 8 DPO mean?

8 DPO stands for “8 days past ovulation.” You’re now well into the second half of your menstrual cycle, known as the luteal phase. 

During this time, your body is preparing for the possibility of pregnancy, regardless of whether fertilization has occurred.

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What's happening in your body at 8 DPO?

At 8 DPO, several important processes may be taking place:

1. Potential implantation

If fertilization occurred, the embryo might be implanting or have recently implanted in your uterine lining. This is a crucial step in early pregnancy and typically happens between 6-12 days after ovulation.

2. Hormonal changes

Your body continues to produce increasing amounts of progesterone, which supports early pregnancy. If conception has occurred, your body may start producing small amounts of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone detected by pregnancy tests.

3. Uterine lining changes

Your uterine lining remains thick and well-vascularized, ready to support a potential pregnancy.

8 DPO symptoms: What might you be experiencing?

An image showing symptoms of 8 days past ovulation (DPO).

At 8 DPO, you might start noticing some early signs of pregnancy. 

However, it’s important to remember that many of these symptoms can also be related to PMS or normal hormonal fluctuations. 

Here are some common 8 DPO symptoms:

  • Mild cramping: Some women experience 8 DPO cramping, which could be related to implantation or normal luteal phase changes.
  • Breast tenderness: Your breasts might feel sore, swollen, or more sensitive than usual.
  • Fatigue: You might feel more tired than normal as your body works hard to support a potential pregnancy.
  • Nausea: Some women report feeling queasy, though full-blown morning sickness typically starts later.
  • Mood changes: Hormonal fluctuations can affect your emotions, leading to mood swings or increased sensitivity.
  • Bloating: You might feel a bit puffy or bloated in your abdomen.
  • Headaches: Hormonal shifts can sometimes trigger mild headaches.
  • Food cravings or aversions: You might notice changes in your appetite or food preferences.

Remember, experiencing these symptoms doesn’t guarantee pregnancy, and not having them doesn’t mean you’re not pregnant. Every woman’s body responds differently to early pregnancy or hormonal changes.

8 DPO cervical mucus: What to expect

Cervical mucus can provide clues about your fertility and potential pregnancy. At 8 DPO, you might notice changes in your cervical mucus. Here’s what you might observe:

8 DPO cervical mucus if pregnant

If you’re pregnant, you might notice:

  • An increase in creamy, white discharge;
  • Sticky or tacky cervical mucus;
  • No significant change in cervical mucus (for some women).

8 DPO cervical mucus if not pregnant

If you’re not pregnant, you might see:

  • A decrease in cervical mucus compared to your fertile window;
  • Thicker, stickier mucus;
  • Dry or little cervical mucus.

It’s important to note that cervical mucus observations aren’t a reliable way to confirm or rule out pregnancy at 8 DPO. Many women experience similar changes whether they’re pregnant or not.

👉Find out more: Fertility diet: What to eat to boost your chances of getting pregnant

Can I take an 8 DPO pregnancy test?

Many women wonder, “Is 8 DPO too early to test?” While it’s natural to be eager, 8 DPO is still considered early for a pregnancy test. 

Here’s why:

  1. Implantation timing: Implantation typically occurs between 6-12 days after ovulation. At 8 DPO, implantation may have just happened or might not have occurred yet.
  2. hCG levels: Even if implantation has occurred, it takes time for hCG levels to rise sufficiently to be detected by a test.
  3. Test sensitivity: Most home pregnancy tests are designed to detect pregnancy around the time of your missed period, which is usually a few days after 8 DPO.

While it’s possible to get an 8 DPO positive pregnancy test, these cases are relatively rare. If you do decide to test this early, keep in mind that a negative result doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not pregnant – it could just be too early to detect.

For the most reliable results, it’s best to wait until at least the day of your expected period before taking a pregnancy test. If you can’t wait that long, try to hold off until at least 12-14 DPO for a more accurate result.

👉Find out more: Evaporation line vs. faint positive: How to tell the difference on your pregnancy test

8 DPO pregnant or PMS?

One of the most challenging aspects of the two-week wait is distinguishing between early pregnancy symptoms and PMS. At 8 DPO, many symptoms can overlap, making it difficult to know if you’re experiencing 8 DPO symptoms if pregnant or just normal premenstrual changes.

Here’s a comparison table to help you understand the similarities and differences:

Symptom8 DPO: pregnant8 DPO: PMS
CrampingMild, possibly due to implantationCan be more intense, similar to menstrual cramps
Breast changesTenderness, swellingTenderness, swelling (often subsides after period starts)
Mood changesCan be more pronouncedTypically improves once period starts
FatigueMay be more intenseUsually improves after period starts
NauseaPossible, but often starts laterUncommon, but can occur
Food cravings/aversionsMay be presentCan also occur

Remember, the only definitive way to distinguish between pregnancy and PMS is through a positive pregnancy test and confirmation from a healthcare provider.

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Questions from the Femia community

  • I'm experiencing spotting at 8 DPO. Could this be implantation bleeding?

    Spotting at 8 DPO could potentially be implantation bleeding, as this timing aligns with when implantation typically occurs. But not all pregnant women experience implantation bleeding, and spotting can occur for other reasons as well. If you're concerned about any bleeding, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider.

  • My 8 DPO pregnancy test was negative, but I still feel pregnant. Should I test again?

    At 8 DPO, it's still very early for a pregnancy test to detect hCG, even if you are pregnant. If you feel strongly that you might be pregnant, wait a few days and test again. The most reliable results come from testing after your missed period.

  • Is it normal to have no symptoms at 8 DPO?

    Absolutely! Many women don't experience any noticeable symptoms at 8 DPO, even if they're pregnant. The absence of symptoms doesn't rule out pregnancy, just as having symptoms doesn't guarantee it. Every woman's body responds differently to early pregnancy.

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