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Questions and Answers

Q. I hope that you can help me. You see I think I'm pregnant but not really sure. I took a pregnancy test a week after I think conception took place and the test was negative. When would it be an effective time to take a pregnancy test? How can you tell what was the date of conception?

A. You tested too early for most pregnancies to show up. Pregnancy tests that you take at home measure the amount of hCG in your urine. Seven days after the date you assume was conception is not long enough for your body to produce enough hCG to show positive on a urine test. Most blood test would be negative at this point as well.

Generally it expected that women will wait until the first day of their missed period to take a home pregnancy test, as in most instruction booklets. Blood tests can show possible pregnancies sometimes at 10-12 days post-ovulation.

I would advise you to retest when you have missed your period or see your practitioner for a blood test.

As for predicting conception, that is a bit harder, normally they base it all on ovulation (when the egg is released) as opposed to conception. Ovulation generally occurs 14 days before the end of your cycle (day 14 of a 28 day cycle, day 18 of a 32 day cycle, etc.).

Cyndi Klausing, RN, ACCE, has been a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor for over 18 years. She currently works as a newborn nursery nurse and is the mother of four sons.

Cyndi will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.