16 DPO Symptoms – Pregnancy Signs To Watch Out For

‘Why is my period late?’ ‘Am I pregnant?’ ‘Why am I nauseous again?’ – are some common questions you may ask yourself around 16 days past ovulation. Are there any signs or indications that could tell you you are pregnant before you miss your first period after ovulation? Well, the good news is by keeping a tab on some of the symptoms that your body may show, you may be able to establish whether or not you are pregnant. If you are wondering what such indications would be, especially around 16 days past ovulation, read on to find out some probable pregnancy signs and symptoms at 16 DPO!

Video : Pregnancy Signs at 16 Days Past Ovulation (DPO)

What Is 16 DPO?

As soon as the egg implants to the uterine lining, which usually occurs around two weeks past ovulation, the body may start showing pregnancy symptoms. At around 16 days past ovulation, your body will start producing a considerable amount of hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (if you are pregnant), which can be detected in a pregnancy test. However, this is also a time when you may start experiencing PMS or premenstrual syndrome (if you are not pregnant), and both sets of symptoms appear to be very similar. But you can tell them apart if you are more aware of your body, and thus you may be able to differentiate between normal and unusual, which means that you may be able to tell whether or not you are pregnant.

16 DPO Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Many times, symptoms associated with pregnancy are similar to those experienced during menstruation, making it tricky to pick the real cause. Here are some early 16 DPO symptoms of pregnancy you may experience:

1. Tender or Swollen Breasts

The changing hormone levels in your body can make your breasts sore to touch, and your breasts may also appear swollen and heavy. You may notice your areolas turning darker than usual. These symptoms get better as your body adjusts to the changing hormone levels.

2. Fatigue

The changing pregnancy hormones can make you feel tired and exhausted. This happens when the body starts producing more progesterone, which is responsible for making you fatigued and sleepy. Also, your body starts producing extra blood to support the growing fetus, which can also add to your exhaustion and fatigue.

3. Mood Swings

If you find yourself too moody, cranky, weepy, or filled with other such emotions, you can blame it on your pregnancy hormones!

4. Nausea or Vomiting

Though there is no specific reason that can explain why pregnant women feel nauseous or like vomiting, it is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms that women usually experience. Commonly known as morning sickness, this symptom can actually occur at any time of the day or even at night.

5. Increased Basal Body Temperature

BBT, or basal body temperature, elevates as you ovulate and becomes normal after you have your period. However, this temperature remains elevated throughout the pregnancy and thus can be an evident pregnancy sign.

6. Missed Period

If you experience any kind of 16 DPO spotting, you may wonder whether it is a sign of pregnancy or your period. Spotting, better known as implantation bleeding, at 16 DPO is unlikely, but it may occur if you have miscalculated your ovulation. Also, 16 DPO is very close to your period, and if you do not have it at this stage, it can indicate pregnancy.

Is It Possible to Take a Pregnancy Test at 16 DPO?

Yes, of course, you can take a pregnancy test at 16 DPO to get certain results. You can start taking pregnancy tests from the day your period is due, which typically starts from 14 DPO. It is also important to take a test at 16 DPO and not just rely on the symptoms alone because, at 16 days past ovulation, the hCG levels in the urine are high. This also eliminates the chances of a false negative test if you are pregnant. If you did take a test earlier, around 6 or 7 DPO, now is the time to take another one.

Can Implantation Happen at 16 Days Post Ovulation?

Implantation happens mostly between 6 and 12 DPO, but at that time, the hCG levels in the urine are not that high, which makes it difficult for a pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy. By 16 days past ovulation, implantation has already occurred, and the hCG levels are high enough to get detected by a pregnancy test.

However rare, there are some cases where implantation can happen at 16 DPO. If you are experiencing implantation symptoms 16 days past ovulation, like spotting, cramping, mood swings, or breast sensitivity, there’s a chance that these could be the signs of PMS or early pregnancy.

Chances of Getting False Negative at 16 Days Past Ovulation

If you have been trying to get pregnant and are planning to take a pregnancy test 16 days past ovulation, getting a false negative is fairly low. However, a few reasons may show 16 DPO BFN or false-negative results. This may happen if you take a test too early, and the body may not be producing enough levels of the hCG hormone that it can be detected in a pregnancy test.

Also, if you miscalculate your ovulation cycle, your test results may show a false negative. If you consumed too many liquids before taking the test, the urine can become too diluted and thus indicate a false negative. If there are no periods at 16 DPO, and the test is negative, it will be a good idea to wait for a few days and to take a test again.

If You Don’t Get Your Period at 16 DPO, Does It Mean You’re Pregnant?

16 DPO and no period – there is a high chance of good news if you are planning to conceive. If you do not have your period at around 16 days past ovulation, there is a high chance that you are pregnant. This is because ovulation usually happens anywhere from 13 to 20 days from the first day of your period. As per the menstrual cycle length, most women usually get their periods around 16 days past ovulation if they are not pregnant. So, if you haven’t had your period by this time, it could possibly mean that you are pregnant. And, if you have been trying to conceive, then you can also experience the early signs of pregnancy.

16 DPO BFN: Can You Still Be Pregnant?

Usually, at 16 DPO, the pregnancy test confirms pregnancy if you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms. However, if you do get a 16 DPO negative pregnancy test, we recommend taking the test again after a few days. A negative result on a pregnancy test at 16 DPO indicates no pregnancy. The reason could be anything from ovulating later than you expected or miscalculating your period cycle to having underlying health concerns or testing with diluted urine. Ovulation can also delay if you are often travelling, going through some medical condition or losing weight.

Therefore, it is important to calculate your cycle accurately and take the pregnancy test in a correct manner as directed on a pregnancy kit. Although disheartening to get a 16 DPO BFN, it is essential not to lose hope and retake the pregnancy test or get a blood test done by a doctor for an accurate result.

HCG Levels at 16 DPO

Soon after the process of implantation, your body starts preparing your baby’s support system, which also means increasing hCG levels in your urine. The hCG levels can start hiking anytime between 12 to 15 days past ovulation, and the level doubles up every 48 to 72 hours. This means that around 16 DPO (if you are pregnant), a pregnancy test can easily detect high hCG levels in your urine and thus confirm your pregnancy. The levels keep peaking for approximately 10 weeks of pregnancy and then gradually decline and stay constant for the rest of your pregnancy journey.

FAQs

1. What If I have bleeding or spotting at 16 DPO?

If you are experiencing bleeding or spotting at 16 DPO, the chances are it could be implantation bleeding. Slight bleeding or spotting because of implantation (when a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine wall) is fairly common in early pregnancy and is one of the first signs of pregnancy. So, do not worry if you are seeing slight spotting at 16 DPO. However, do note that implantation bleeding is on a lighter side as compared to menstrual bleeding and only lasts for 1-2 days.

2. Is It normal to have cramping on the left side at 16 DPO?

Women can experience 16 DPO cramps on their left side along with pressure in their pelvic area and pain in their lower back in their early pregnancy. It could be because your body is starting to make room to incubate the new guest – your baby. However, the causes do not end there. Cramping on the left side could also be because of digestive issues.

If you happen to experience severe cramping or pain, blood in stools, or vaginal bleeding, consult a doctor immediately.

When you are 16 days past ovulation and still do not have your period, you may wonder if you are pregnant or just late with your period. If you pay close attention, you may be able to notice some early signs of pregnancy (if you are pregnant). Taking a pregnancy test at this stage may help you get more accurate results. However, getting a negative result does not necessarily mean that you are not pregnant. You can wait for a few more days and retake a test to know whether or not you are pregnant. Remember: do not lose hope.

References/Resources:

1. Doing a pregnancy test; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/doing-a-pregnancy-test/

2. Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853

3. Pregnancy; U.S. FDA; https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/pregnancy

4. Pregnancy – signs and symptoms; BetterHealth; https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-signs-and-symptoms

5. Am I Pregnant?; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant

Also Read:

Pregnancy Signs at 13 DPO
Pregnancy Signs at 14 DPO
Pregnancy Signs at 15 DPO