If your cycle is regular, you can take a home pregnancy test the first day you miss your period. If it is negative but your period still hasn't started then you may want to take another test after 3 days. (that is why some of the home pregnancy test has two tests in one package)
If you have been taking your basal body temperature, then you should know that you are pregnant if your body temperature has been above your normal temperature for over 18 days. It was how I find out I am pregnant and on the 18th day, I took a pregnancy test and confirmed that I was pregnant.
TinMum, if you have been taking your basal body temperature everyday, you should know when exactly you ovulate which is when the first day your temperature rises at least 2/10 of a degree higher (your cover line). Then if your temperature keeps on being above the cover line for 18 days (the 18th day of your luteal phase), you should know that you are pregnant.
If you are interested in knowing more about all these, I suggest you read the book called "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler, MPH. It is a very good book and I learn a lot about my cycle and to find out when I ovulate. It is a national bestseller in US and recommended by a lot of people. Hope you will find it helpful too.
It is not necessarily right. Some people may have slightly lower temperature. But it is true that when you are pregnant, due to the hormone changes your temperature should stay high. You shouldn't worry so much for now. Keep your fingers crossed and hope that your temperature can stay high (above your cover line) for a few more days. I wish you all the best! Remember we can always keep trying. Once you know better about your cycle, you will have more control about your fertility. It is good that you have started to take your basal body temperature already. Compare to a lot of other people who don't even know about their own cycle, you have done a great job already. :) Be patient and I'm sure you will have a good news to tell soon. BTW, are you taking your temperatue at the same time everyday and do it before you get out of bed? It is very important that you have at least 3 hrs of sleep and take the temperature at the same time before you get out of the bed.
For myself, I found out that I was pregnant on the 18th day. I was so happy and amazed by how well it works when I know my cycle well. I read the book I told you about and just one month, I got pregnant. I should read that book earlier so I don't have to try for so long. But very sad that I have a miscarriage and lost my baby on the 6th weeks (my body temperature dropped on that day...). Very sad... Now I am trying to get healthy again and hope that I can get pregnant soon.
Hi SandyChan, I think you should be able to find the book in those big bookstores where they carry english books. Maybe you can try the one in Festival Walk. I got my from a big bookshop in Singapore (I was living in Singapore before). Alternatively, you can always order online. Places like Amazon.com or YesAsia.com should have the book for sure. I hope you will find the book useful as well.