How many weeks pregnant when you get a positive test

Created by Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate

Reviewed by Rijk de Wet

Based on research by

“Human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations in early pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization“ Hum Reproduction (June 1999)See 1 more source

Gnoth, C.; Johnson, S. “Strips of Hope: Accuracy of Home Pregnancy Tests and New Developments“ Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd (July 2014)

Last updated: Jul 19, 2022

Pregnancy tests and gestational weeks might be pretty tricky — we'll tell you everything you need to know about these topics and more.

This article will focus on pregnancy tests performed during the earliest stages of gestation.

Disclaimer: We try our best to make our Omni Calculators as precise and reliable as possible. However, this tool can never replace professional medical advice.

💡 This article is a part of a bigger series, based on our pregnancy test calculator.

Can you tell you’re pregnant at 3 weeks?

To answer that question, we need to first talk about the course of the pregnancy. The gestation starts with the first day of your last period — it means that at the moment of conception the woman is already 2 weeks pregnant! However crazy that sounds, it leaves us with a conclusion that three weeks of pregnancy is not really that much.

Now it's time to praise modern medicine and science: we already have tests that can detect pregnancy even after 9 days after ovulation, which is between the 3rd and the 4th weeks of pregnancy. However, remember that in this case, patience is a virtue. The fertilized egg needs time to travel into the uterus and latch onto its wall — that's when larger amounts of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) start to be produced. Higher levels of this pregnancy hormone allow you to get more accurate results and lower the odds of false-positive results. That's why it is recommended to take a pregnancy test on the first day of a missed period, first thing in the morning. 🌅

Can you get a positive pregnancy test at 3 weeks with twins?

Yes, it's possible with some modern home pregnancy tests. Few urine or blood tests can detect an extremely early pregnancy, even between the 3rd and 4th week. In addition, the hCG levels in twin and multiple pregnancies are usually elevated by 30–50% — so theoretically, there's a higher chance to obtain positive pregnancy test results at that time.

Nevertheless, doctors recommend to take a pregnancy test the day of your missed period. This way, you'll know that your pregnancy test kit works correctly. If you take the test too soon, apart from faulty results, you may discover a relatively common situation called the "biochemical pregnancy", a really early pregnancy loss that can be detected only with the most sensitive pregnancy tests.

Is a positive pregnancy test at 3 weeks a good sign?

It's neither a positive nor a negative sign. Every pregnancy is different, and hCG levels vary widely in a population. We also need to consider the quality, sensitivity, and accuracy of the tests you might be using. Try not to compare your pregnancy to those of other women — every single case is different! 🤰

Remember that all positive test results require additional examinations aimed at confirming pregnancy and providing the best possible environment for your baby's development — in case of any doubt, contact your OB-GYN.

How common is a positive pregnancy test at 3 weeks?

It's not that common to see a positive result at 3 weeks. In fact, it is better to wait to take a pregnancy test later on. All types of tests measure levels of hCG in either your blood or urine; as the pregnancy matures, larger amounts of this hormone are released, facilitating its detection by at-home pregnancy tests.

If you suspect you might be pregnant, try to avoid cigarettes, drugs and alcohol until you can clearly confirm or rule out the pregnancy. 🚫

What's your baby's development at 3 weeks?

Yay, that's an interesting question!

As we've discussed before, the woman is not technically pregnant for the first 2 weeks of pregnancy. That's why the 3rd week of the pregnancy is simultaneously the 1st week of your baby's existence! 🍼

Your child's life begins at the moment of fertilization, which happens within 24 hours of ovulation. An egg is released into the Fallopian tube during ovulation, where it finally meets the sperm. If everything goes well, the fertilized egg starts its journey along the Fallopian tube, down to the uterus lining. The egg, which is now a bundle of quickly dividing cells, finds its nesting place around 7–9 days after conception — that is, between the 3rd and the 4th weeks of pregnancy. That's when the hCG level in your body starts to rise, and the performed test will show a positive outcome. At this time, the first symptoms of pregnancy may begin to show — you may notice light bleeding or spotting caused by the egg latching onto the uterus's wall.

3 weeks pregnant body

Technically, your body won't change that much yet — it's just the first week of your baby's life! You may notice some light spotting at the time of the implantation and the elevation of your body's basal temperature. 👶

If you're trying to get pregnant, you're probably familiar with the temperature charts used to observe your body's changes during the menstrual cycle naturally. If you find yourself actually pregnant, your body's basal temperature will continue to rise close to the end of the cycle, instead of falling as in the case of a non-pregnant woman. It's all due to progesterone, a pregnancy hormone that plays a crucial role in every gestation.

Pregnancy checklist at 3 weeks pregnant

Well, it's just the beginning! Before you take a home pregnancy test, take a few precautions to secure your future baby's wellbeing:

• Stop smoking cigarettes, and try to avoid any tobacco smoke.
• Refrain from drinking alcohol.
• Try not to take any medications which may be harmful to a developing pregnancy. If you have chronic medication, try to consult your doctor as soon as possible, ideally before even trying to conceive.
• Avoid any drugs or psychoactive substances.
• Try to eat healthily, sleep well, and do some light to moderate exercise. 🏃‍♂️

Good luck and all the best!

Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate

Have you been wondering when to take a pregnancy test?

Find the answer with our calculator below!

In Vitro Fertilization

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