Conception

8 DPO: Symptoms, Fertility, and Whether You Should Take a Pregnancy Test

Zoe Kaplan

If the egg was fertilized, at 8 DPO, it’s likely it’s implanted or about to. Will you be able to know? Here’s what symptoms you should look out for.

Published:

Jan 27, 2024

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You’ve made it past the halfway mark of the two-week wait, and you’re on 8 DPO, or eight days past ovulation. During this time, it’s more likely that if your egg was fertilized, it will implant today or within the next two days. Does this mean you’ll be able to tell if you’re pregnant? Some people do experience certain symptoms that may be caused by implantation, but there’s no guaranteed way to tell. Here’s what to look out for on 8 DPO.

What’s happening in my body at 8 DPO?

Likely, implantation! Implantation most commonly happens starting at 8 DPO — if, of course, the egg has been fertilized. Implantation occurs when the blastocyst, or ball of cells, embeds itself into the uterine lining.

If the egg has been fertilized and implanted, it starts secreting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone detected by pregnancy tests. This isn’t the only hormonal change; progesterone levels also continue to increase to help build up the uterine lining and support the early stage pregnancy.

If the egg hasn’t been fertilized, progesterone levels are in decline at 8 DPO. Any symptoms you experience would be premenstrual symptoms, likely caused by the shift in hormone levels.

8 DPO Symptoms

At 8 DPO, it’s more likely that implantation, if the egg was fertilized, has begun. So, will you be able to feel symptoms that indicate the egg has been implanted? It depends on who you ask. 8 DPO symptoms include:

Cramping: Some women say that they’ve experienced cramps around the time of implantation. This is possible, but not scientifically backed. If you do feel cramps, it’s not a sure sign that implantation has occurred, but it could be. If you don’t feel any cramps, don’t panic; this isn’t a sign that implantation hasn’t occurred, either.
Spotting: Implantation bleeding is light spotting, usually in a pink and brownish color, that happens around the time of implantation. Not all pregnant people experience this sign.
Breast tenderness: You might have experienced breast tenderness since 1 DPO, and it may persist or escalate. This tenderness comes as a result of hormonal fluctuations, including rising progesterone levels.
Mood swings: Mood changes, whether heightened emotions or quick changes from one feeling to the next, are linked to hormonal fluctuations — ones that can happen during the menstrual cycle, but also early pregnancy.

8 DPO Symptoms vs. PMS

Early pregnancy symptoms and PMS symptoms can seem so similar. Both early pregnancy and PMS can lead to cramping, spotting, breast changes, and mood swings. So, how can you tell the difference?

>>RELATED: Period Cramps vs. Early Pregnancy Cramps: What's the Difference?

Unfortunately, the main symptoms that are different — like nausea and nipple changes — don’t usually start for a few days, if not weeks after implantation. The best way to tell symptoms apart in the meantime is to wait. You can determine for sure why the symptoms are happening until you take a pregnancy test.

Will I know if I’m pregnant at 8 DPO?

While implantation has possibly occurred and you may start noticing distinct symptoms, it's important to approach this stage with cautious optimism. Pregnancy tests may still yield false negatives due to low hCG levels. Continue to monitor your body's signals and prepare for the days ahead as you navigate the nuances of the two-week wait. Follow along with Oova’s DPO guides:

About the author

Zoe Kaplan is a writer and content strategist passionate about creating content that helps people navigate the world a little more easily. Zoe has worked across verticals, from women's career development to reproductive health. You can check out more of her work at zoeakaplan.com.

Sources

Nissen M, et al. (2023). Prevalence and course of pregnancy symptoms using self-reported pregnancy app symptom tracker data.

About the Oova Blog:
‍Our content is developed with a commitment to high editorial standards and reliability. We prioritize referencing reputable sources and sharing where our insights come from. The Oova Blog is intended for informational purposes only and is never a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

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