When To Take A Pregnancy Test
Knowing when to take a pregnancy test can be difficult whether you’re trying to get pregnant or not. Working out the exact time to take the pregnancy test to ensure accurate results is not as easy as it might seem.
So how do you decide when to resist, and when is the right time to take a pregnancy test? What time of day is best? Should you wait until your monthly period is late? Below we have some answers to all these potential questions regarding when to take a pregnancy test to make sure you get accurate results.
Taking a pregnancy test after the first week of your missed period can help you get accurate result if you think you may be pregnant. However, if you can’t wait until you’ve missed your period, let at least one to two weeks pass after you have unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test.
This wait is vital because your body needs enough time to develop hCG hormones, which typically takes 7 to 12 days after implantation of an egg inside the uterus. You might get a negative result if you take the test too early.
If your test result is negative and your period is late, allow a week to pass, and if you still don’t have your period, then it’s time to do another test. You can do a test at least three weeks after you last had unprotected sex if you’re not sure when you have your last period.
Expert advises you to take a pregnancy test in the morning because your first-morning urine has the highest concentration of hCG. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a pregnancy test later in the day. You can still take a test at any time of the day. It just means that you’re more likely to get the most accurate result although many doctors now say it doesn’t have to be in the morning.
It is vital to remember that it can take 7 to 12 days after a missed period before your body can produce enough hormones for a pregnancy test to detect. If you got a negative result but still feel you’re pregnant, retake the test after several days. False-negatives or false-positives are rare, but they do happen.
A missed period is the first and most reliable signs of pregnancy. But apart from the missed period, you can decide to take a pregnancy test because you’re experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, which includes;
In early pregnancy, you may feel some discomfort and thinking your period is just around the corner, but then it never comes. A person who feels cramps before her period but does not start to bleed, or has a much lighter period may need to take a pregnancy test.
Your body produces more estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. These hormones begin to make changes in your body to support the baby’s growth. Your breasts may appear bigger and feel tender due to increased blood flow. Some people also notice that their nipples are slightly dark and become larger in early pregnancy.
You may experience light bleeding, also called implantation bleeding. This occurs when the embryo connects to the uterine wall. Implantation bleeding can be shorter and lighter than that of a menstrual period.
Fatigue is another common symptom of early pregnancy. Fatigue during early pregnancy is due to changes in the estrogen and progesterone hormone. Pregnant woman finds it difficult to make it through the day without a nap or the opportunity to rest.
Food aversions and unusual cravings are common signs of early pregnancy. Some people even crave non-food items, such as ice or dirt. It is time to see a doctor if experiencing cravings for things that are not food.
Vomiting and nausea associated with pregnancy tend to start in the 2nd to 8th week of pregnancy. Nausea does not only happen in the morning; many pregnant women feel nauseated all day. Feeling nauseated may be a sign that a person should take a pregnancy test.
Hormonal and physiological changes during pregnancy may cause different feeling in a woman. Take a pregnancy test If you think that you might be pregnant.
Along with cramps, fatigue, sore breasts, and food cravings, early pregnancy can also cause:
Pay attention to your body, and consider taking a pregnancy test if you experience any of the signs we’ve listed.
Knowing how pregnancy tests work can help you understand when to take them. The tests work by identifying the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in the urine or blood. You are pregnant if the pregnancy test detects hCG.
The regular hCG is produced when a fertilized egg successfully implants in the uterus. This happens about 7 to 12 days after conception. The amount of hCG builds up quickly in your body with each day passing. So your hCG level may not be high enough to detect the pregnancy if you take a pregnancy test too early after implantation.
Pregnancy tests are accurate when done the right time. Pregnancy tests are more accurate when you get a blood test after you’ve missed your monthly period.
A urine pregnancy test is also 99% accurate. Pregnancy tests are less accurate if you don’t follow the right procedure. So, read the directions that come with your pregnancy test carefully. If the pregnancy test is negative, ensure you haven’t taken the test too early. Take another test in a few days and if you think you might have.
Remember that some medications can affect pregnancy test results. These include medicines used to treat infertility, or promethazine used to treat specific allergies, and other sleeping tablets. Talk to your doctor if you are bothered about any medications you are taking.
You can buy pregnancy-testing kits from your local pharmacists, grocery store, drugstore, and some supermarkets. You can also get a pregnancy test through your doctor, local Health Center, or community clinic.
Most health centers use urine for pregnancy tests, but under some circumstances, they use a blood test. However, be careful when looking for a health care center because there are plenty of fake clinics out there.
You’re pregnant if your pregnancy test result is positive. You need to contact a doctor or visit a local Health Center or family planning clinic to get a follow-up test. You can discuss your confidentially with a healthcare professional if you’re not sure about continuing with the pregnancy.
The best time you can take a pregnancy test is after your expected period. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking the pregnancy test in the morning to make sure that you’re getting the most accurate read. Taking your pregnancy test sooner might result in a false negative.
If you are eager for the test, doctors suggest taking a blood test. The hCG hormone that indicates pregnancy is more notable in the blood than in urine. That’s why blood tests are more reliable, sensitive, and can offer more information.
About the Author
Barbara is a full-time mom of 3 children and a part-time blogger since 2018. She likes to write on various topics about motherhood. She drinks a lot of coffee, loves French pastries, reads a lot, also enjoys crafts and Montessori activities.
