Deciding when to take a pregnancy test can be a little anxiety-inducing. You might feel especially stressed or confused if it's your first time testing. Don't worry: Once you get the hang of it, the process becomes a lot less intimidating.
It all starts with peeing on a stick or in a cup: Home pregnancy tests check your urine for a hormone called human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). Tests typically claim to be 99% accurate when used correctly. But for results you can trust, it's crucial that you nail down the timing.
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First, a little 101: After your embryo settles into your uterus (during implantation), the cells that will eventually become your placenta begin to produce and secrete hCG. Amounts of the pregnancy hormone steadily rise and enter your bloodstream – and your pee. But hCG levels need time to rise high enough for a pregnancy test to detect.
So when should you mark your calendar for that solo bathroom date? Here's what the pros recommend.
How long should you wait to take a pregnancy test?
Experts usually say to wait until you miss your period (often around 14 days after conception) or even a few days after that.
Do your best to wait until around the time of a missed period to take a test and avoid any unnecessary disappointment.
- Shannon Smith, M.D., an ob-gyn at Brigham Faulkner Ob/Gyn Associates
While you could have enough hCG in your pee a week or so after conception – and some pregnancy test manufacturers claim to deliver accurate readings around this time – levels of the hormone might not be concentrated enough for a positive result if you are, indeed, pregnant.
During the first few weeks of pregnancy, hCG typically doubles every two to three days (though a slower rise can still be normal). So waiting just a few days can make the difference between an accurate result and a misleading one.
Dealing with irregular periods can make this trickier. If you're not sure when your next period will begin, try these as benchmarks for a test instead: Count 36 days from the start of your last menstrual cycle or four weeks from the day you had unprotected sex.
The best time of day to take a pregnancy test
Good news for the early birds: Your pee is more potent in the morning, so it's wise to take a pregnancy test right after you wake up. Don't drink any water or other beverages before you go – fluids can dilute the amount of hCG in your urine.
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If you're in a rush – or aren't ready for a rollercoaster of emotions before you start your day – we get it. If you plan to take a test later in the day, avoid guzzling a bunch of fluids or using the bathroom for at least three hours beforehand. This will help keep your urine more concentrated (it should be a bit darker in color than the typical pale yellow) and give the test a better chance of picking up on hCG.
Are some pregnancy tests more accurate than others?
Yes, some tests are more sensitive than others. (Here are some of our favorite pregnancy tests.) Check your test's packaging and instructions to understand how early it might detect a positive pregnancy.
But remember, regardless of how sensitive a test claims to be, you'll get the most accurate results if you wait to test until after your period ghosts you. As BabyCenter Community member BClary1124 put it, "I don't like to test early because it's just a 'bleh' feeling seeing negatives. I'd rather wait till it's more for sure after my missed period."
"The earlier you try to test, the higher the possibility of a false negative – meaning the test says you are not pregnant when you are," says Shannon Smith, M.D., an ob-gyn at Brigham Faulkner Ob/Gyn Associates and a member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.
Testing too early is actually the most common mistake Dr. Smith sees her patients make. If you're hopeful about getting pregnant, she advises, "Do your best to wait until around the time of a missed period to take a test and avoid any unnecessary disappointment."
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Your healthcare provider can also order a pregnancy blood test, which measures the hCG in your bloodstream. A sample is usually collected from a vein in your arm in their office or at a hospital and sent to a lab for analysis.
Pregnancy blood tests can pick up much smaller amounts of the hormone and catch your pregnancy earlier. Blood hCG can be detected as early as six to eight days after ovulation (or around 6 to 8 days before your period should start, depending on how long your cycles usually are).
This route isn't common because blood tests are more expensive and the results take longer. But your provider may recommend one if they want a closer look at your hCG levels, if you have a history of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, if your urine test results are unclear, or if you experienced any menstrual bleeding with a positive home test.
Should you take another pregnancy test at home?
Yes – there's a good reason many pregnancy tests come in packs of two or three. To be sure of your results, wait a few days and take another test, ideally several days after your expected period.
Again, a negative result doesn't necessarily mean you're not pregnant. You might have tested too early, or maybe you ovulated later than you thought and aren't far enough along for the test to be effective. It's also possible you didn't follow the instructions exactly – hey, it happens! – or drank a lot of water and diluted your urine. (For more info on common mistakes, here's what not to do before taking a pregnancy test.)
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After you take another test
- If you get another negative result and still haven't gotten your period, call your provider. They may recommend a visit to check things out.
- If you get a positive result, call your provider. They'll likely recommend a blood test or ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. (Keep in mind that if you're taking fertility drugs, false positives can happen, so the results should be confirmed by your doctor. A chemical pregnancy can also trigger a false positive.)
- If you get mixed results – say, a couple of negatives followed by a positive or vice versa – call your provider. You might need an ultrasound as a next step.
Bottom line: Getting comfortable with home pregnancy tests requires some trial and error. But the sooner you know you're expecting, the sooner you can consider all your options and decide what's next. And if you're already curious, use our Due Date Calculator to find your estimated due date. Trust us, the time will fly!
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