From when to take a pregnancy test to how to take a pregnancy test, it can all feel a little overwhelming and confusing. While at-home tests are over 99% accurate and easy to read, they can still be a confusing experience that you don’t want to mess up. Here are the most important things to know before you take a pregnancy test.
While the pregnancy test is accurate three days before your period is due, you should still wait a couple days to take it.
When should you take a pregnancy test? While it’s tempting to know as early as possible, levels of hCG (the pregnancy hormone) double every few days and your results will be more accurate the longer you wait. Chemical pregnancies are common among women and can cause misleading results. To avoid this, you should wait until after your period is due and then test again a few days later. If you have irregular periods, here’s further info on when to take a pregnancy test.
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Sign UpTake the pregnancy test first thing in the morning before you drink any fluids.
Coffee’s going to have to wait a second! Levels of hCG will be strongest with first morning urine — more concentrated urine guarantees a more accurate test. Your test will still be valid if it’s the afternoon or you’ve already had water, but first morning urine will result in a stronger results line. The stronger the line, the more accurate the test results.
Wait a few days after your first pregnancy test to take your second.
If you take away anything from this post, it should be that taking a test too early can be misleading. The longer you wait, the more accurate the results. To avoid false negatives or faint results lines, always hang onto that second test to take a few days later.
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If you’re trying to conceive, it might take some time and that’s normal.
On average, it takes six months to conceive. Don’t let "not pregnant" results bring you down too much. If you’ve been trying for six months, you can schedule a doctor’s appointment to discuss your options. Until then, start by tracking ovulation (we recommend period tracking apps, like Flo). Remember to have fun — it’s sex, after all!
Carefully follow the pregnancy test instructions.
This one might sound obvious, but we can’t stress the importance! There are details that go into taking the test, like the amount of time you should pee on the test, the number of minutes to wait for results, and how to read the results. It’s a simple process, yes, but carefully following instructions will remove any user error.
Remember to breathe.
No matter what result you’re hoping for, waiting for your pregnancy test results to show up can be stressful. Have an action plan for next steps for both scenarios beforehand. Being prepared by having a doctor you trust and a friend or partner to talk through options with can provide peace of mind in itself.
Since the earliest recorded history, women have had a strong desire to know whether they are pregnant as early as possible. The body goes through countless changes in the first trimester, and one of the first indicators is a change in the hormones that leave the body through urine.
Ancient Egyptians relied on a form of urine testing to determine pregnancy status way back in 1350 BCE. A woman urinated daily on wheat or barley seeds and if the plants grew, it meant she was pregnant. Modern-day validation suggests that test was about 70% accurate in detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by a woman’s body soon after implantation of a fertilized egg inside the uterus.
Thankfully, urine-based pregnancy tests have evolved substantially. Women now have access to advanced tests that can detect a pregnancy as early as eight days after ovulation. But while many home pregnancy tests are marketed as simple and effective, getting accurate results comes down to how early in your ovulation cycle you take the test.
Ovulation generally occurs around day 15 of a 28-day cycle. In a normal pregnancy, an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube and then travels into the uterus, where it implants in the uterine wall. After implantation, production of hCG starts from cells in the developing placenta (tissue that will feed the fetus). Trace levels of hCG can be detected as early as eight days after ovulation.
That means you could get positive results several days before you expect your period to start. However, the first part of your cycle is more variable than the second, making it tricky to determine the best time for an early test.
Pregnancy test accuracy
Each type of pregnancy test is designed to detect a set minimum level of hCG. This is why pregnancy test manufacturers advertise the way they do: “Know four days sooner,” or “Accurate up to six days before a missed period.” However, while home pregnancy tests are quite accurate – many boast a 99% detection rate based on laboratory testing results – marketing claims can be misleading.
For example, a 99% detection rate means a test can detect hCG 99% of the time on the day you miss your period. These statistics also assume that women are testing at the optimal time and following all instructions correctly.
Many home pregnancy tests available today are midstream urine dip tests, which are the traditional “pee-on-a-stick” tests and are fairly easy to use. There also are tests in which you pee into a cup and dip a test strip into the urine. The New York Times published a story ranking the best home pregnancy tests, citing a midstream test with an ergonomic grip as the easiest to use and most accurate.
Research has shown that average test results when women used the dip tests matched lab test results just 70% of the time, whereas 99% of women typically can get an accurate reading from a midstream test.
When to see a doctor
Most women who have a positive pregnancy test should wait a week or two before calling the Ob/Gyn office for a pregnancy blood test or ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. We suggest waiting because the rate of early pregnancy loss is high, and it’s possible that you might have had a chemical pregnancy.
However, women with a history of ectopic pregnancy or current abdominal pain should call the doctor right away to be examined. Ectopic pregnancies implant outside of the uterus and produce hCG, resulting in positive pregnancy tests. However, these pregnancies can cause abdominal bleeding and prompt medical care is necessary. Women who have congenital heart defects or other chronic physical or mental health conditions should also see a doctor right away because treatment plans or medications might need to be altered to protect the woman and the fetus.
Advances in home pregnancy tests give women greater insight into what’s going on in their bodies sooner than ever before. No matter what your childbearing plans might be, it’s essential to get quick, accurate results at home to plan your next steps accordingly.