How early can a pregnancy test detect your pregnant

If you think there is a chance you might be pregnant, you may be wondering when you can take a pregnancy test.

You are more likely to get an accurate result if you wait until the day of your missed period or after. Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can be carried out as early as 8 to 10 days after conception (the day the pregnancy occurred).

You can take a pregnancy test at home. Your GP or GP practice nurse will also be able to perform a pregnancy test for you.

Home pregnancy tests

You can buy home pregnancy tests over the counter in your pharmacy. They are also sold in many shops and supermarkets. Read the instructions on the pregnancy testing kit before using it. The instructions that will tell you what the different colours or symbols mean.

How pregnancy tests work

Pregnancy tests detect the levels of a hormone called hCG in your urine (pee). This hormone is produced during pregnancy. It is present in your bloodstream and your urine.

In early pregnancy, the amount of the hormone in your system increases. The later you leave it to take a pregnancy test, the higher the hCG levels will be.

The earlier you take the test, the more likely you are to get a 'false negative' result. A 'negative' result is where the test shows up as negative even though you are actually pregnant.

Pregnancy tests that your doctor may do

Your GP will probably do a urine pregnancy test to detect whether you are pregnant.

It is always a good idea to bring a sample of urine to the GP surgery with you if you think you may be pregnant. This will mean your appointment is not delayed.

It will also avoid the 'stage fright' that can occur when you are trying to pee and you know someone is waiting on you.

The pregnancy testing kit that your GP will use is like the kits that you can buy over the counter.

Your doctor may perform a blood test to check the level of hCG in your blood. This test is done if you have had some bleeding from your vagina or if you have severe pains in your tummy. Your GP may also carry out a blood test if you have severe morning sickness.

Pregnancy tests and accuracy

A positive pregnancy test is almost always correct. Some negative tests may not be correct if you tested too early.

This is called a 'false negative' result. The result will present as negative, but you are actually pregnant.

This happens for a few of reasons, because:

  • you did the test too early
  • you didn't wait long enough before checking the result (always follow the instructions - it is normal for results to take 3 minutes to appear)
  • your urine is very diluted because you have been drinking a lot of water
  • there is a fault with the test

If the result of the test is negative, and you think you might still be pregnant, repeat the test a few days later. If symptoms persist after a few negative tests, make an appointment with your GP.

What if the result is positive?

A positive result generally means that you are pregnant. You should make an appointment to see your GP to confirm the pregnancy and to sign up for antenatal care.

If you are not sure you want to be pregnant it is good idea to make an appointment with your GP to discuss your options.

Your GP will listen and will not judge you.

Free advice may also be available from a family planning clinic.

Sometimes counselling can help you to work through your feelings about the pregnancy. It may help you make a decision on what is the right choice for you.

www.myoptions.ie has details of the support services available to you.

Many early signs of pregnancy can be nonspecific and easily mistaken for other causes. For this reason, it may be difficult to know when or whether to take a pregnancy test.

In this article, we list 11 early signs that can indicate a person should take a pregnancy test.

A pregnancy test will not show positive as soon as a person becomes pregnant. It takes time for the body to release enough of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to show up on a test. This will be around 12–15 days after ovulation if a person has a 28-day cycle.

Some medical bodies suggest taking the test on the first day a period should have occurred. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that the results on this day may not be accurate for 10–20% of people. Instead, they suggest taking a test 1–2 weeks after missing a period. Some tests are more sensitive, however, and a person can use them earlier.

Another option is to wait at least 21 days after having sex without birth control.

Blood tests take place in a medical office, and they can show if a person is pregnant around 6–8 days after ovulation.

What are homemade pregnancy tests, and do they work?

If a person is pregnant, it is best to find out as soon as possible. Not only can they start planning the next steps, but there may also be health considerations and lifestyle changes to address.

Some people notice early signs of pregnancy, such as fatigue or breast tenderness, before they miss a period.

The early signs include:

  1. a missed period
  2. breast changes
  3. light bleeding
  4. cramps
  5. nausea and vomiting
  6. fatigue
  7. headache
  8. food aversions or cravings
  9. changes in bathroom habits
  10. mood changes
  11. missed birth control

1. Missed period

Often, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period.

There are many reasons for missed periods, but if a person is sexually active, a missed period can signal pregnancy.

Most pregnancy tests are very accurate when taken after a missed period, but sometimes the hormone levels might not be high enough to trigger a positive result.

If someone misses a period and a pregnancy test is negative, they should repeat the test after a few days.

2. Breast changes

Breast changes are common in early pregnancy. These are due to hormonal changes that eventually prepare the body for lactation.

Common changes are:

  • breast tenderness
  • swollen breasts
  • the nipples and areolas becoming larger or slightly darker

Which breast changes are a sign of pregnancy?

3. Light bleeding

Around 25% of people experience implantation bleeding, which is light bleeding that happens when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall.

Implantation bleeding tends to be lighter and shorter than a menstrual period.

Implantation bleeding happens around 6–12 days after conception, but light spotting is not uncommon during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

4. Cramps

Cramps are common before or during a menstrual period, but some people also get cramps when implantation occurs.

If cramps occur around or before a period is due, but there is no bleeding, or the bleeding is much lighter than usual, it may be a good idea to take a pregnancy test.

How do I know if cramps are a sign of a period or pregnancy?

5. Nausea and vomiting

Morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, may start 2–8 weeks after conception.

Nausea does not just happen in the morning. It may occur at any time during the day or night.

If nausea happens for no apparent reason, especially with other possible signs of pregnancy, it may be a good idea to take a pregnancy test.

6. Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of early pregnancy, and a person may feel the need to rest or nap for no apparent reason.

It is typically due to changes in the hormone progesterone.

Fatigue typically eases in the second trimester, and the person may find they have more energy again.

7. Headache

Hormonal changes may also trigger headaches in early pregnancy. They typically ease over time.

A person can take paracetamol for a short time to treat a headache, but it is best to check with a doctor or midwife first. Other pain relief drugs may not be safe to take.

From week 20 of pregnancy and after, headaches can be a sign of preeclampsia, a potentially life threatening condition that needs urgent medical attention.

What does headache mean in pregnancy, and how can I manage it?

8. Food aversions or cravings

Unusual cravings and food aversions are common in the first trimester, though they sometimes persist through the entire pregnancy.

Some people crave nonfood items, such as dirt or ice. This is known as pica. Anyone who craves things that are not food should consult a healthcare professional.

A person may also find they no longer enjoy foods they previously enjoyed or that their taste and smell become more sensitive.

Do food cravings only happen during pregnancy?

9. Changes in bathroom habits

Bowel and bladder symptoms can appear in early pregnancy. A person might experience frequent urges to urinate during the day and night. They may also have constipation, which affects 11–38% of people at some time during pregnancy, according to 2012 research.

In the early stages of pregnancy, the rise in hCG levels boosts blood flow to the pelvic area, increasing the need to urinate.

Learn more about frequent urination in pregnancy.

10. Feeling “different” and mood changes

Anecdotal evidence suggests many pregnant people report feeling “different” early in pregnancy, with some feeling an awareness that they are pregnant before taking a test. However, there is no scientific evidence to confirm this.

Physiological and hormonal changes during pregnancy may cause a person to feel different. Feeling different may also be due to mood changes, which can begin within a few weeks after conception.

Anyone who believes that they may be pregnant should take a test for confirmation.

Is it premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy?

11. Missed birth control

A person should consider taking a pregnancy test if they are sexually active and have not used birth control within the last month.

Many birth control options effectively prevent pregnancy, but a broken condom or missed birth control pill can increase the chance of conception.

Pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone hCG, which the body starts producing after conception. According to 2014 research, hCG is detectable in the blood around 8 days after conception. As the pregnancy progresses, levels rise by around 50% a day. HGC is detectable in urine a few days later than in the blood.

Tests for home use are urine tests. A person will need to go to a healthcare facility for a blood test.

A range of pregnancy tests are available for home use, and some are more sensitive than others. This means they can detect hCG at lower levels.

Many tests claim to be 99% accurate, but experts note that not all of them undergo rigorous scientific testing. A person may also get a false-negative result if they take the test too early, do not follow the instructions precisely, or do not handle the test as the manufacturer intended.

Some medical bodies suggest taking a test on the first day of a missed period, but many people do not know when their period should arrive, for example, if they experience irregular menstruation.

When taking a test, a person should:

  • read the instructions carefully
  • ensure they handle the test as advised
  • try to avoid taking the test too early

The FDA notes that a positive test is usually but not always accurate. If a test is negative, they suggest avoiding alcohol and other substances that may be harmful to a fetus and repeating the test at a later date or seeking medical advice.

Why might a person get a false-positive pregnancy test result?

Some people experience menstrual irregularities, breast changes, and other pregnancy-type symptoms without being pregnant. These can happen for a variety of reasons.

Possible biological factors include hormonal changes due to another health condition. Psychological and social factors can sometimes play a role.

In rare cases, a person can have pseudocyesis, sometimes called false pregnancy, where they firmly believe themselves to be pregnant and have signs of pregnancy without being pregnant. This condition is not well understood and can happen for various reasons.

Anyone who has signs of pregnancy but is unlikely to be pregnant, for example, because of menopause, should seek medical advice. They may have a health condition that needs medical treatment.

If a pregnancy test result is positive, a person should contact a midwife or doctor. They can confirm the result with a blood test or schedule an early ultrasound.

If the person is pregnant, they should start prenatal care or discuss other options as early as possible.

If a person misses a period but is not pregnant, a healthcare professional can help diagnose any underlying cause.

The earliest sign of pregnancy is often a missed period, but breast changes, fatigue, headaches, and other changes can also appear within the first few weeks.

Anyone who has had sex without birth control and experiences early signs of pregnancy should do a test.

Anyone who has signs of pregnancy but is sure they cannot be pregnant should seek medical advice. The healthcare professional may wish to rule out other health conditions or provide treatment if required.

Can a pregnancy test detect pregnancy 2 days before period?

Tests labeled for early pregnancy detection may be able to detect a pregnancy several days before your expected period. However, the most accurate results come after your period is late. 2 The time of day you take a pregnancy test does matter to a certain extent.

How early can you take a pregnancy test at home?

It is this hormone that all home pregnancy tests detect and some tests are so sensitive that they can be used up to 6 days before your missed period (which is 5 days before your expected period). So, for example, if you expect your period on 15th of the month, you can test as early as the 10th.

How early can hCG be detected on a pregnancy test?

hCG can be detected in urine or blood after implantation, which occurs on average, about 9 days (range 6-12 days) after fertilization. Some home pregnancy tests claim to detect hCG as early as 4 days before the next expected period.

How early can a pregnancy test detect implantation?

"Early results" pregnancy tests promise results as soon as three to six days before your missed period. These tests are more sensitive than standard tests but getting accurate results that early is more difficult simply because ovulation and implantation times can vary.