If you think you may be pregnant, waiting to take a pregnancy test can feel excruciating. If you’ve recently had unprotected sex or experienced contraception failure, you probably want to know as soon as possible. Before you begin to worry or make any plans, taking a home pregnancy test is a good first step. Of course, if you want to, skip the home test
and come see us first. We can provide lab-grade pregnancy testing for you – free of charge.>> MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test (For Best Results)?
Before You Miss Your Period
The earlier you take a test, the less accurate it will be. Taking a test before you miss your period or less than two weeks after sex can cause a false negative.
Some women take a test too early and assume they are not pregnant. This can be especially confusing if they spot or bleed during their first-trimester, making them believe they had their period.
We see women already in their second trimester before they notice more obvious pregnancy symptoms. They are often shocked to find out how far along they are.
Two Weeks Later
Many women test according to the “two weeks” rule. This means waiting to take a test until two weeks after unprotected sex. It can provide accurate results for women who are on a predictable 28-day cycle and who ovulating once and at a regular interval.
However, some women’s cycles are not as predictable, or medications such as birth control and antibiotics can change their cycle and date of ovulation. Even stress can cause interruptions.
After You Miss Your Period
The best time to take a pregnancy test is the day your period is supposed to start or after you realize your period is late. If your results are still unreadable or inconclusive, retake one the next day. For more accurate results, take a test when you first wake up. The hCG hormone is higher and more concentrated in the morning.
If the test is negative, but you still think you may be pregnant, wait a few more days and test again. HCG nearly doubles about every two days in early pregnancy.
Pregnancy Confirmation
Taking a pregnancy test is the first step. We’re your second. At your pregnancy confirmation appointment and options consultation, you can find out if the pregnancy is viable and how far along you are. We will also share evidence-based medical information on your pregnancy options: abortion, adoption, and parenting.
A home pregnancy test is an indicator of pregnancy, not a confirmation. That’s why you need an ultrasound to verify an intrauterine pregnancy.
Whether you are considering an abortion or are wanting to continue your pregnancy, we are here with options, answers, and support.
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All our services are free of charge and we do not benefit from any decision you make.
Sources:
//americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/understanding-pregnancy-tests/ //www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-tests
Whether you’re trying to get pregnant or not, the urge to take a pregnancy test immediately after having sex is common. So, when should you take a pregnancy test, how do pregnancy tests work, and what can affect the efficacy of the test?
How soon can you take a pregnancy test after sex?
If you are taking an at-home pregnancy test, it may be best to wait until the day following the day your next period should begin. Although some tests may be sensitive enough to detect hCG earlier, the hormone’s presence in your urine will increase with time, making an accurate result more likely. Blood pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests because they are more sensitive, but they are also more expensive.pregnancy-ovulation-test-combo
How soon after sex can you get pregnant?
The first day of a missed period marks the beginning of pregnancy, but fetal development doesn’t begin until after conception. Conception usually occurs two weeks after the first day of your last period (around the time of ovulation). The implantation process may happen several days after you have sex. At this point, hormones needed to support and maintain a pregnancy are released.
When can pregnancy be detected?
It takes some time for hCG to build up enough for a pregnancy test to detect it. When you miss a period (and your menstrual cycle is regular), it might be time to take a pregnancy test. Tracking ovulation can also help you determine whether a pregnancy test might be necessary. If you track ovulation, you can take a pregnancy test around 14 days after the last time you ovulated. Missing a period is the most obvious signal that you might be pregnant. Other signs suggesting you might be pregnant and should take a pregnancy test include:
- Bloating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sore or full breasts
- The need to pee frequently
- Feeling fatigued
How do pregnancy tests work?
Pregnancy tests detect the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). When a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus (the implantation process), hCG is released. Blood tests and urine tests can both detect the presence of hCG. You can do a urine pregnancy test at home or in a clinic. Urine tests have more accurate results about 14 days following conception. Blood tests can only be done at a medical office and provide more accurate results about 10 days after conception.
There are two different types of blood pregnancy tests: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative blood tests will tell you whether hCG is present in your blood. Quantitative blood tests will measure how much of the hormone is present.pregnancy-tests
What’s the best time of the day to take a pregnancy test?
Once your menstrual period is late, you can take a pregnancy test. Before this, it may be too early in the pregnancy to detect hCG levels. Take a home pregnancy test first thing in the morning because hCG levels will be most concentrated and easily detectable. HCG levels can become diluted when you drink water, and it may affect the accuracy of the test.
How long does a blood pregnancy test take?
You'll have to go to a medical office for a blood pregnancy test. Your primary care provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to a lab for analysis. It can take anywhere from a few hours to over a day to get your results from the lab. A quantitative blood test can compare levels of hCG through the pregnancy, but it is typically used only for higher-risk pregnancies or multiples.
What can cause false-negative or false-positive test results?
Sometimes pregnancy test results will be false negative (indicating you’re not pregnant when you are) or false positive (reads as if you’re pregnant, but you’re not). You may get inaccurate results from a pregnancy test for various reasons, including:
- You test too soon, and there isn’t enough hCG to be detected
- You used a test that isn’t sensitive enough to detect lower levels of hCG
- You don’t use the test immediately after opening it
- The pregnancy test is expired
- You drank too much water, diluting your urine
- You tested later in the day. You use certain infertility medications
If you take a pregnancy test too early, it might cause a false negative result. There’s a “two-week rule” that those with a regular 28-day cycle may follow. However, this guideline isn’t reliable for many since several factors may make things less predictable. Your usual menstrual cycle can be affected by factors such as:
- Stress
- Birth control
- Antidepressants
- Painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen
- Certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders
If you take a home pregnancy test and the result is positive, make an ultrasound appointment with your primary care provider to confirm the result at around 8 weeks of pregnancy.