When is the appropriate time to take a pregnancy test

When is the appropriate time to take a pregnancy test

Regardless of whether one is hoping for a positive or negative pregnancy test result, they want the correct result.

Timing is key for getting the most accurate pregnancy test result. So let’s answer an important question thousands of women have googled: is there a best time of day to take a pregnancy test?

Can you take it at any time of the day?

The time of day you take a pregnancy test does matter to a certain extent. You’re more likely to get an accurate result if you take the test in the morning, especially if your period is not yet late. pregnancy-ovulation-test-comboHowever, no one can stop you from taking a home pregnancy test at night. If you really can’t wait until morning, go ahead and take one. The only issue is it might be inaccurate. You’re just more likely to get a false-negative, especially if your period isn’t that late, and especially if you’ve been drinking a lot of water.

If the test comes back positive at night, then you are most likely pregnant, as it is pretty rare to get a false-positive result (but not impossible). A false positive is a positive pregnancy test when you are actually not pregnant.

If your test comes back negative, just try again in the morning. You may get a different result.

Why are pregnancy tests more accurate in the morning?

You can take a pregnancy test at any time of the day, but there is a time that is a bit more reliable: first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, your coffee’s going to have to wait for a second! pregnancy-tests At-home pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. Unless you get up in the night to pee often (or you drink water throughout the night), levels of hCG will be strongest with first-morning urine and you’re more likely to get a positive result if you’re pregnant.

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 pregnancy test results.

How else can I better optimize my timing with pregnancy tests?

There are a lot of options out there, which is why Stix created a definitive guide to pregnancy tests to help. We answer questions ranging from how soon can I take a test to how will my birth control affect my results. Check it out here.

The time between finding out your test results is stressful! We’re here for you. Please utilize our calming tips for what to do while you wait for your pregnancy test results.

Whenever it’s time for you to take a pregnancy test, Stix is here for you. Our easy-to-use pregnancy test comes in a pack of two. Over 99% accurate with FDA-cleared, OBGYN approved, early detection technology. Delivered right to your door in the most discreet envelope.

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  • There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood tests.
  • Take a home urine test after your next missed period — anywhere from 14 to 18 days after conception.
  • Blood tests are more sensitive and can tell you if you're pregnant 6 to 14 days after conception.

You have two options when it comes time to see if you have a baby on board.

The most common is an at-home urine pregnancy test, available over the counter, though you can take a urine pregnancy test at a medical clinic. Another option is a blood test performed at a medical clinic.

"Both tests check for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG," says Crystal Newby, MD, of Kansas City Ob-Gyn. "This hormone is produced after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of your uterus."

The egg typically attaches 6 days after fertilization, at which point, hCG levels in your blood and urine will increase for the next 6 to 10 weeks. Once hCG levels are high enough, you can expect an accurate reading, but not before then. 

When should you take a blood pregnancy test? 

Depending on a woman's cycle, a blood test can detect pregnancy between 6 and 14 days after conception.

Blood tests for pregnancy are more sensitive to hCG than home pregnancy tests. They can detect this hormone in low quantities and tell you if you're pregnant sooner than a home test.

While blood tests can provide results sooner than home pregnancy tests, they are usually more expensive and take longer to provide results because the blood must be sent to a lab for analysis. 

If the lab is in-house then it will take a few hours. But if the lab is at a different location, it could take several days to learn the results.

When should you take a home pregnancy test?

Most home pregnancy tests advise you to take the test after you miss your next period. If you have a standard 28-day cycle, you'll be most fertile two to three weeks before your period. 

So if you get pregnant during that fertility window, you'll need to wait at least 14 to 18 days after conception to take a home pregnancy test.

If you get a negative result and suspect you're pregnant, check the instructions on the box. Home pregnancy tests typically recommend retaking the test 5 to 7 days later, when the hCG levels in your body will be higher.

This type of result is called a "false negative." Sometimes you can receive a false negative result if you take a pregnancy test too soon when your hCG levels are too low for the test to detect them accurately.

Moreover, recent miscarriages, fertility drugs, and rare hCG secreting tumors can interfere with the results of at-home urine tests. If you receive conflicting results after taking a home pregnancy test multiple times, doctors recommend a blood test.

How accurate are pregnancy tests?

Blood pregnancy tests are considered by doctors to be 99% accurate. Quantitative blood tests (also called beta hCG tests) are the most accurate blood tests and can help doctors tell the exact age of the fetus and play a role in detecting any abnormalities.

If you follow directions, home pregnancy tests are an estimated 97% to 99% accurate. If you perform a urine pregnancy test in a lab setting, like at your doctor's office, the accuracy will be closer to 99%. It's important to make sure that you check the expiration date on your home test, as it can affect the accuracy of the results.

After taking either a blood or urine test, it's important to confirm the pregnancy with an early ultrasound.

Insider's takeaway

Home pregnancy tests can provide results faster and be more convenient than a blood test. But you'll probably have to wait longer to receive accurate results.

You can expect accurate results from a blood pregnancy test as soon as 6 to 14 days after conception. Because the test must be analyzed in a lab, it could take up to several days to get the results.

To get the most accurate reading from a home urine test, wait until your missed period. This can come anywhere between 14 to 18 days after conception. If you get a negative result, you can try taking a home test again in 5 to 7 days to see if you have higher amounts of detectable hCG in your body.

Blood tests are considered to be 99% accurate, while home pregnancy tests are around 97% to 99% accurate. Regardless, you should confirm your results by getting an ultrasound.

Denice Rackley is a freelance writer for Insider.

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