So you’re 8 days post ovulation, and millions of questions are firing in your head.
Can I get a positive pregnancy test at 8DPO?
If I’m pregnant, when will I get symptoms?
And why is everyone on my social media feed making pregnancy announcements?
It’s a lot.
First things first — your journey is entirely yours.
There’s no one way to do this — so while we’ll help you navigate this territory, there’s no such thing as a garden variety TTC experience.
With that in mind, here’s what you might encounter along the way at 8 DPO, with some help from embryologist and fertility expert, Navya Muralidhar.
In this article: 📝
- What happens at 8 DPO?
- Can you implant at 8 DPO?
- How likely is it to get a positive test at 8 DPO?
- Is 8 DPO too early for symptoms?
What happens at 8 DPO?
8 DPO means you’re 8 days post ovulation or days past ovulation.
The average menstrual cycle (with lots of variations on either side) is 28 days.
Day 1 is the first day of your period.
You’re most likely to conceive from about Day 8 to Day 15.
Somewhere around Day 14, one of your ovaries, spurred on by the luteinizing hormone (LH), releases an egg into the fallopian tube.
This process is called ovulation.
Put that all together and 8 DPO is at about Day 22 of your menstrual cycle.
If you’re TTC, the two-week wait (two-week wait between ovulation and your next expected period) can be more suspenseful than the penultimate episode of your favorite thriller ‒ and 8 DPO is a pretty important episode.
If one (or more) of your eggs is fertilized, this is about the time that the zygote grows into an embryo, makes its way down the fallopian tube, and nestles into the lining of the uterus.
This process is called implantation.
Can you implant at 8 DPO?
Yes, it is possible to implant at 8 DPO — it’s one of the more common days to implant in successful pregnancies, actually. [1]
But it’s not a sure thing.
Rather than happening on a specific DPO, implantation happens within a window (the implantation window) — somewhere between 6 DPO and 12 DPO.
8 days post ovulation is slap-bang in the middle of that window.
So does that mean you should be taking an 8 DPO pregnancy test?
Well, unfortunately, it’s more complicated than that.
Why am I cramping at 8 DPO?
There’s a chance that your mild cramps at 8 DPO are implantation cramps.
That’s when the newly-formed zygote (fertilized egg) nestles itself into your uterine wall, where it’ll make its home for the next 9 months.
This implantation can cause some discomfort that feels a bit like light period cramps, and be accompanied by some light spotting (implantation bleeding), usually pink or brown in color.
But if your cramping is followed by heavy bleeding or clots, it’s worth paying a visit to your doctor, just in case.
How likely is it to get a positive test at 8 DPO?
If you’re expecting to see an 8 DPO positive pregnancy test, it’s more likely you’ll be disappointed.
But there’s also a slight chance you could see your 8 DPO BFP (around 18%, of eventual positive tests, in fact) — stranger things have happened! [2]
Pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called hCG, which is produced after implantation. [3]
At around 8 DPO, this hormone might start appearing in your body if you’re pregnant.
So that means you can take a test at this point, right?
The problem is there’s no such thing as a one-to-one correlation when it comes to hCG levels and DPO.
We don’t all produce the exact same amount at the exact same time.
While a few pregnancies may get a BFP at 8 DPO, most won’t have enough hCG to be detected on a pregnancy test just yet.
For many people, they’ll see an 8 DPO negative pregnancy test, but that doesn’t mean it’s their BFN.
It might just take a few more days for the hCG levels to show a clear positive result.
That’s why it’s best to wait — so try to hold off on your 8 DPO pregnancy test if you can.
How many DPO should you take a pregnancy test?
There’s a reason why it’s called the two-week wait.
It’s best to wait until 14 or 15 DPO, or about the time of your next expected period to take a pregnancy test.
(We know. The suspense is ridiculous.)
That’s because, as your pregnancy develops, hCG levels increase by about 50% a day. [4]
After the TWW, those levels should be prepped and ready for detection.
Is 8 DPO too early for symptoms?
Not necessarily. Many moms-to-be in our Peanut community experience 8 DPO symptoms ending in a BFP.
But many also have no symptoms at all, and still get a positive.
Pregnancy symptoms are as varied as the bodies they inhabit, and always bear in mind that one symptom alone isn’t proof.
And sometimes they show up as early as 8 days post ovulation and sometimes they only show up weeks into pregnancy.
If they do show up very early for you, here’s some of what you might expect.
(Yes, they do look an awful lot like PMS symptoms. 🤔)
| Symptom | Why it happens | PMS or pregnancy? |
|---|---|---|
| Mild cramping | If a fertilized egg is attaching to the uterine wall (implantation), you might feel light twinges or cramps. Progesterone levels also rise post-ovulation, which can cause uterine contractions. If cramps feel different or arrive earlier than usual, it might hint at pregnancy. [5] | Both. Timing and intensity could be a clue — implantation cramps can be milder and show up a bit earlier than PMS cramps |
| Spotting or light bleeding | Implantation bleeding can happen when the embryo burrows into the uterine lining. It’s often light pink or brownish and much lighter than a period. | More likely pregnancy. But sometimes, mid-cycle spotting can be caused by hormonal fluctuations. |
| Breast tenderness | After ovulation, progesterone spikes, making breasts feel heavier or more sensitive. In early pregnancy, the body ramps up estrogen and progesterone to prep for milk production. [6] | Both. Typical PMS symptom, but can also signal pregnancy if it feels more intense or lasts longer. |
| Mood swings | Hormonal shifts — especially estrogen and progesterone — can mess with your mood. In early pregnancy, hCG joins the party, adding extra emotional ups and downs. [7] | Both. PMS is known for moodiness, pregnancy can intensify it further. |
| Fatigue | Progesterone can make you feel like you’re running on low battery. If you’re pregnant, your body also starts shifting energy toward early fetal development (even before you know it). | Both. Common in PMS, but might be more noticeable if you’re pregnant. |
| Bloating | Rising progesterone slows down digestion, leading to gas and bloating. In pregnancy, your body retains more fluid and your digestion can get sluggish, too. | Both. Often overlaps with PMS, so it’s tough to tell. |
| Constipation | Same deal as bloating — progesterone can relax intestinal muscles, making everything move slower. If you’re pregnant, the effect can be stronger as hormones climb. | Both. Usually chalked up to PMS but can be an early pregnancy clue. |
| Headaches | Shifting hormone levels can set off headaches or migraines. Dehydration, stress, and caffeine withdrawal can also play a role, especially in early pregnancy when you might cut back on coffee. | Both. PMS headaches are common; pregnancy can also amplify them. |
| Nausea | Early pregnancy nausea is often linked to hCG and progesterone increases. By 8 DPO, nausea isn’t super common, but it can happen if your body’s super sensitive to hormone changes. | More likely pregnancy. PMS nausea is less common, but some people do get queasy during PMS. |
| Increased urination | In early pregnancy, your body starts producing more fluid, and hormonal changes increase blood flow to the pelvic area. This can mean extra bathroom trips. [8] | More likely pregnancy. Frequent urination isn’t a typical PMS symptom, though it can happen in some cases. |
| Dizziness or lightheadedness | Hormones can affect your blood pressure and blood sugar. Early pregnancy might increase blood volume and dilate blood vessels slightly, causing that “whoa, feeling faint” moment. | More likely pregnancy. PMS-related dizziness is possible but less common. |
| Food cravings or aversions | Fluctuating hormones can mess with taste buds and appetite. You might find yourself craving very salty or sweet foods when progesterone is high, or going off favorites you once loved if pregnancy hormones are at work. [9] | Both. Classic PMS is known for junk-food cravings, but pregnancy can amp up cravings or aversions. |
| Lower back pain | Progesterone can loosen ligaments in preparation for possible pregnancy. If you’re actually pregnant, your body begins adjusting your posture to accommodate future changes, sometimes leading to minor aches. | Both. Many experience backache before a period, so it can go either way. |
| Heightened sense of smell | Surging hormones (especially estrogen) can sharpen your sense of smell, leading you to notice scents you’d normally ignore. Early pregnancy is notorious for this — sometimes making you suddenly hate your usual perfume. | More likely pregnancy. Not a common PMS symptom, though hormone changes can still heighten senses slightly. |
| Metallic taste | Known as “dysgeusia,” a random metallic taste in the mouth can happen due to increased estrogen levels in early pregnancy. | More likely pregnancy. Very unusual for PMS but not impossible. |
| Hot flashes or feeling warmer | Estrogen and progesterone can influence your body temperature (basal body temp often stays elevated post-ovulation). In early pregnancy, this rise can persist. | Both. An elevated temperature can happen in PMS, but if it remains consistently high, it might indicate pregnancy. |
How did you feel at 8 DPO?
However you’re feeling at 8 DPO, you’re not alone.
There’s a whole community of women who are trying to conceive at 8 days post-ovulation in the same boat.
Here are a few of their 8 DPO symptoms and stories:
- “I’m not really sure if I’m actually expecting 8 DPO symptoms or if my mind is playing tricks on me… I feel very bloated and tired.” ‒ Bobby
- “8DPO, woke up because I was nauseous today. Boobs feel full/heavy. Is it all in my head?” ‒ Brianna
- “I’ve been nauseated and bloated all week!! But I’m only 8 DPO, so who knows?” ‒ Brittany
- “I’m also 8DPO been so bloated past few days it’s been so uncomfortable also lost my appetite and felt nauseous… had a dip in my BBT this morning at 8DPO!” ‒ Adele
- “8 DPO and I have been peeing every 45 minutes. It has been like that for the last 3 days, then I’m definitely constipated. Had some light cramping yesterday for about an hour.” ‒ Karissa
- “I’m 8DPO and had cramping yesterday as well, constipation, and feeling really nauseous.” ‒ Juliet
- “8 DPO and super gassy, almost like gas cramps and like the sudden urge to poop! Had a negative strip test this morning. I also literally just ate a massive lunch and I feel like I haven’t eaten a damn thing! Starving!” ‒ Selena
- “I got negatives 8 and 9 DPO then just got a positive today at 10 DPO!” ‒ Adelle
- “8 DPO. Super gassy. I’ve felt cramping since ovulation. I’m just aware of my left side a lot, a little cramps or pains. Trying not to symptom spot.” ‒ Stephanie
- “At 7 DPO and 8 DPO I have had cramping sensations but once again I don’t get them this early. My lower back is starting to hurt. I feel like I have a tugging sensation in my stomach. I felt quite nauseous this morning but better after I ate. I also had a weird tingling pain in my left boob today. I am also very bloated and gassy at the moment. Could this be leading to my BFP?!” ‒ Kayleigh
- “I took a test on 8 DPO and nothing to be seen. I did test again today on 11 DPO and had a faint line!” ‒ Callie
- “Got a negative at 8 DPO and a positive 9 DPO evening.” ‒ Elizabeth
- “I’m 8 DPO and I’ve got mild twinges/cramps! No spotting. My partner also said my areolas are darker.” ‒ Charlotte
The TTC journey can feel a lot like traveling in a foreign land without a guide.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Join us on Peanut and connect with other women at 8 DPO who have been there.
It’s time to normalize the conversation.
Take care of yourself.
➡️ Read next: 9 DPO: Symptoms, Signs & What to Expect