14 DPO: Symptoms, Signs & What to Expect

If you’re 14 DPO, congrats!

You’ve made it to the final moments of the two-week wait.

Phew.

What should you expect at this point?

If you’re pregnant, should you be feeling any symptoms?

If so, what would they be?

And can you just take a test already?

We get it, the TWW is stressful.

We’ve got you.

Let’s check out what you might expect at this point, with some help from embryologist and fertility expert, Navya Muralidhar.

(Oh, and if you’re wondering what all the acronyms are about, here’s a cheat sheet.)

In this article: 📝

What’s happening at 14 DPO?

14 DPO (that’s 14 days post-ovulation) is a key moment on the TTC journey.

If your egg was fertilized, it may have implanted itself in the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium, by this stage.

Also, your next expected period may be somewhere on the horizon ‒ meaning the TWW is ending.

Stressful, exciting, nerve-wracking… if you’re feeling a bit of everything, you’re not alone!

Does your period always come 14 days after ovulation?

Sometimes, yes, but not every cycle is the same.

In a 28-day cycle, 14 DPO would be about when you would expect your next period ‒ so anything after that is late.

But all cycles are different, lasting anywhere from 21 to 40 days.

The bottom line? There’s no one specific DPO that’s considered late for everyone.

How accurate is a pregnancy test at 14 DPO?

Keen to take a 14 DPO pregnancy test?

As it turns out, they’re pretty accurate.

Here’s a quick breakdown for a 28-day cycle:

• 7-8 DPO pregnancy tests are 25% accurate
  
• 8-9 DPO pregnancy tests are 33% accurate
  
• 9-10 DPO pregnancy tests are 42% accurate
  
• 10-11 DPO pregnancy tests are 68% accurate
  
• 11-12 DPO pregnancy tests are 81% accurate
  
• 12-13 DPO pregnancy tests are 93% accurate
  
• 13-14 DPO pregnancy tests are 96% accurate
  
• 14-15 DPO pregnancy test are 99.9% accurate

So while you can get a positive pregnancy test as early as 9 DPO, the average is closer to 14 DPO, or around the time of your next expected period.

And some can be a few days after 14 days post-ovulation, so if you’re getting some potential symptoms and your period hasn’t started yet, your BFP could be just around the corner.

That’s because pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called hCG (or human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in your pee.

HCG is released at implantation and usually doubles every two to three days until about the end of the first trimester.

In very early pregnancy, there might not be enough hCG in your system for a pregnancy test to pick up.

That means that you might get a BFN, even if conception has taken place.

Is 14 DPO too early to test?

No, 14 DPO isn’t too early to test ‒ you’ve done your waiting!

If you’re pregnant, you may have built up enough hCG by 14 DPO to get a BFP ‒ but that doesn’t make a 14 DPO positive pregnancy test a surefire thing.

(Sorry ‒ the plot always seems to thicken.)

You may get a false negative if your hCG levels are not yet high enough to detect ‒ but this is not the only reason.

The quality of some home pregnancy tests can also be a factor.

While the FDA has recently brought in stricter regulations, some home pregnancy tests are more likely to give a false negative, even when done weeks into pregnancy.

False positives are also possible for various reasons.

One of the most common is early pregnancy loss, where an egg is fertilized but doesn’t implant in your uterus.

This can be caused by a variety of reasons.

In this case, your body may still produce enough hCG to give a positive result.

A similar case in seen in fresh IVF cycles that have a synthetic hCG trigger.

The circulating hCG for several days after the trigger may be the reason behind that false positive test.

Of course, if you’re TTC, this can be heartbreaking.

You don’t have to just push through it.

Talk to a counselor, your friends, your Peanut community.

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Can you get a negative pregnancy test at 14 DPO?

Yes, you can get a 14 DPO negative pregnancy test, even if you are pregnant.

Some of our Peanut mamas shared their 14 DPO BFNs that turned out to be BFPs in just a couple of days’ time.

So unless Aunt Flo comes to visit, there could be a chance to see that BFP.

And if you’re worried at all, check in with your doctor.

What should hCG be at 14 DPO?

Oof ‒ how long is a piece of string?

It really varies, anywhere from 15 to 500 mIU/ml can be a 14 DPO positive test.

But if you’re pregnant, whatever your hCG number, it’ll be doubling day after day!

Can implantation occur 14 days after?

It can, but it’s not too common.

Most implantation happens between 6 to 12 DPO, but 14 DPO implantation isn’t impossible.

Is 14 DPO too late for implantation bleeding?

No, implantation bleeding at 14 DPO isn’t too late, but it is on the later end of the scale.

If implantation bleeding does happen, it’ll usually be around 7-14 DPO.

We know, it’s a really big gap in TWW terms ‒ practically half of the wait!

But a little 14 DPO spotting could be a sign that a BFP is just around the corner.

But if you notice some heavier implantation bleeding or painful cramps, it can be worth checking in with your doctor, just in case.

What are 14 DPO symptoms?

Now for the part you’ve probably been watching for the past two weeks ‒ 14 DPO pregnancy symptoms.

There’s a whole lot going on in your body in early pregnancy.

Your progesterone levels are up, your blood volume is increasing, and your body is experiencing a host of physical changes.

Here’s some of what you might expect:

• Spotting or light bleeding. 14 DPO implantation bleeding can be confusing because it happens around the time when you would expect your next period. So how do you tell the difference? Implantation bleeding is typically lighter in both color and flow, and rarely contains clots.
  
• Cramping. Also very easily confused with period pain, but typically milder, cramps at 14 DPO could also result from implantation.
  
• Vaginal discharge. 14 DPO cervical mucus is usually light in color (white or yellow) and sticky in texture. If the discharge is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching or burning, chat with your doctor as this could be a sign of infection.
  
• Mood changes. At the drop of a hat.
  
• Headaches and dizziness. If you’ve got vertigo or a twinge in your head, that could be an early sign.
  
• Fatigue. That pregnancy tiredness can hit pretty early.
  
• The urgent (and frequent) need to pee. Even if your trips to the bathroom are more frequent, it’s still key to keep hydrated.
  
• Tender breasts and darker, bigger nipples. Breast changes can start from the first couple of weeks.
  
• Food cravings. French fries dipped in milkshake? Banana and peanut butter? Or something classic, like chocolate? If you’re craving it, it might be a sign.
  
• Food sensitivities and aversions. One of the most common food aversions among our Peanut community is coffee, so if you’re off the caffeine, that could mean implantation is happening.

What were your symptoms at 14 DPO?

So how does it feel at 14 days post-ovulation?

Well, we asked our Peanut community to share their stories:

• “Shocked. Zero symptoms. Was honestly just testing at 14 DPO to see if I should have a glass of wine at our Valentine’s dinner tonight. 😳 Going to get a digital this afternoon. So nervous to tell my husband! We’ve been trying for 6 months or so with no luck.” ‒ Amber
  
• “I was 14 DPO, got a BFN, then 4 days after my missed period I took another test because I felt a little off… it was a BFP.” ‒ Kaitlyn
  
• “I was 14 DPO yesterday and test negative. I just wanted closure. AF came today. And I’m of course disappointed but happy she still came so I can stay on track for next month of trying.” ‒ Abby
  
• “I had some 14 DPO light bleeding for 30 min but it stopped. I never spot before my period either. The color also wasn’t bright red like a period. More of a pinky red.” ‒ Zara
  
• “Today I’m 14 DPO and my AF is due today. I’ve had so many symptoms, but this month is so much more intense, like, I actually threw up and boobs are painful.” ‒ Kelsey
  
• “Took today I’m 14 DPO, missed my period yesterday, got my BFP!” ‒ Jody
  
• “I’m 14 DPO today… haven’t tested yet. Pretty nervous if I’m being honest as I tested a few days ago and got a BFN. I don’t have any signs of AF, though, and I’ve heard a lot of women don’t get a positive until after a missed period, so trying to stay hopeful!” ‒ Alex
  
• “I’m 14 DPO and my period is late! Since 3 DPO I’ve been feeling super fatigued, and have had very mild cramping, backache, and very bad acne. At 13 DPO, I had egg-white cervical mucus with a little brownish/pinkish spot inside it. The past few days I’ve been hungrier than usual.” ‒ Kimberly
  
• “14 DPO and keep seeing what I’m thinking are indents. It’s so frustrating.” ‒ Taylor
  
• “Got a faint positive yesterday (14 DPO today) AF due Friday don’t really have any more symptoms apart from cramping and backache.” ‒ Sarah

So you may have a 14 DPO BFP and not have symptoms for weeks to come.

Or you may have a 14 DPO BFN with all the symptoms.

Every TTC journey is unique.

Wherever you’re at, we’re with you.

➡️ Read next: 15 DPO: Symptoms, Signs & What to Expect