Am I pregnant?

Before making any decision, it's important to know for sure whether you are pregnant, and for how long.

How do I know if I'm pregnant?

A urine pregnancy test detects a hormone called hCG. It is more reliable from the first day of a missed period. A positive result is almost always right. A negative result taken too early can be wrong: test again a few days later if your period doesn't come.¹

A medical exam, often an ultrasound, can confirm the pregnancy, date it and check that it is inside the uterus.² That information matters a great deal, whatever comes next.

How does a pregnancy begin?

Some time after her period, a woman's body releases an egg. If she has sex around that time, a sperm can fertilize it: this is conception. From that moment, the new human being has his or her own genetic make-up, which already sets the baby's sex³ and carries the genes for eye and hair colour.⁴

About three weeks after conception, the baby's heart starts to beat.⁵

The first weeks

Weeks are counted from the first day of your last period.

• Around 5 weeks: the heart starts to beat.⁵ The heartbeat can often be seen on ultrasound around 6 weeks.⁶
• Around 7 weeks: the arms begin to form.⁵
• Around 10 weeks: the fingers are separate and the baby moves its arms and legs, even though you can't feel it yet.⁵
• Around 14 weeks: the baby is about 8.5 cm long.⁵

Pregnant and Worried? and pregnancy resource centres offer listening and information on all options. They do not provide abortions or refer for them. The information on this site is general and does not replace the advice of a health professional.