You can find out if you're pregnant as early as 6 to 8 days after ovulation through sensitive pregnancy tests and blood tests. Some advanced home pregnancy tests, like Clearblue Early Detection, can detect the pregnancy hormone hCG in urine up to 6 days before your missed period, although the accuracy improves the closer you are to the day your period is due. For the most reliable results, it's best to test from the day your period is expected or after, when home tests are over 99% accurate. Blood tests by a doctor can detect pregnancy a bit earlier, around 6 to 8 days post-ovulation. Early symptoms of pregnancy can start around 1 week after fertilization but are not definitive without testing.

When Pregnancy Can Be Detected

• Implantation of the fertilized egg occurs around 6-12 days after fertilization, and after this, hCG hormone production begins.
• Urine pregnancy tests detect hCG; detectable levels start roughly 7-9 days after ovulation.
• Home pregnancy tests vary in sensitivity, but some can detect pregnancy hormone 6 days before a missed period (roughly 5 days before expected period) with about 71%-79% detection rates at this stage.
• Testing too early can result in a false negative because hCG levels may still be too low to detect.

Best Time to Take a Pregnancy Test

• For testing before the missed period, use first morning urine to improve hormone concentration.
• After a missed period, tests can be done at any time of day with high confidence.
• If testing early results in a negative, retest on the day of or after the missed period.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms (less reliable for detection)

• Some women notice symptoms like breast tenderness, cramping, spotting, fatigue, or nausea as early as a week after fertilization, but symptoms vary widely and overlap with other conditions.

Summary

• Earliest reliable home urine test detection: 6 days before missed period (accuracy increases over time).
• Most accurate home test detection: from missed period onward (99% accuracy).
• Blood tests at doctor’s office can detect pregnancy slightly earlier, 6-8 days post-ovulation.

Testing timing and method choice depend on the individual's cycle regularity and sensitivity of the pregnancy test used.