When to Take a Pregnancy Test for Accurate Results

For many women, it's nothing short of daunting when they begin to consider that they may be pregnant, especially if it's unplanned.

Before you panic, it's important to recognise that the idea to take a pregnancy to term is not one you have to make just yet.

First, you need to find out if you are pregnant, and there are a few ways to do so. The option to take a home pregnancy test after you've missed your period is ideal. These pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone in the urine, so getting the timing of the rest right is crucial for an accurate result.

Another option is to have a blood-drawn pregnancy test with your healthcare provider.

Our team at Top At Home are experts in all areas of pregnancy, especially the early uncertainty.

Let's unpack the whole topic in bite-size pieces.

Understanding How Pregnancy Tests Work

When it comes to taking at-home pregnancy tests to ensure an accurate result, you need to understand how these tests work.

Urine tests are designed to measure the level of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the sample. If the HCG levels are high enough, you'll get a positive.

For that to happen, you'd have to get the timing of the test right (more on that in a minute).

What is HCG in a Home Pregnancy Test? 

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy.

The hormone assists in thickening the uterine lining to help the embryo to grow and develop normally. It also helps to stop menstruation (periods).

In the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, HCG is at its highest level in the blood and can be detected as early as 10 days after implantation. For this level of accuracy, you will need to ensure you purchase an early-detection pregnancy test.

Which Type of Pregnancy Test Is Right For You?

The two main types are blood and urine pregnancy tests.

A urine test, or at-home pregnancy test, will usually be able to tell you accurately if you are pregnant from the day of your missed period.

A blood test is usually performed by a medical professional, often if you have a negative test result but are still showing the signs of pregnancy. A blood test may also be offered if you have symptoms with your pregnancy that can indicate a potential complication.

Urine Tests/Take-at-Home Pregnancy Tests

Urine tests allow you to take a test at home or at your doctor's office if needed.

They typically involve you urinating on the end of a dipstick for 10 seconds. You can also collect your urine in a clean container, such as a glass, and dip the end of the pregnancy test into the urine for around 10 seconds.

How to tell if it's positive

A pregnancy test result will usually show either 1 or 2 lines in the larger window, a plus or negative sign, or the words pregnant or not pregnant, depending on the brand you buy.

There are a few things that can impact the accuracy of the urine-test method.

If you get a pregnancy test and take it too early, the levels of HCG may not be high enough to be detected on the test.

You may then have a false negative result.

This is why it is recommended to take an early pregnancy test if you are going to take it before the first day of your missed period.

Here's another common question:

When is the best time to take a pregnancy test, morning or night?

A morning test is better. If the HCG levels are borderline (as they can be in early pregnancy), they'll show up higher after accumulating through the night.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can detect pregnancy more accurately, as they are more sensitive than urine tests.

The catch is that they can only be performed at your doctor's office. 

A doctor will usually only use a blood test to check for pregnancy if they are concerned about you being at a higher risk during your pregnancy.

They will also use this if they have worries about you having multiples, if you have had fertility treatments, or if they suspect a miscarriage.  Other reasons for a blood test for pregnancy can include concerns about ectopic pregnancy (one that develops outside the uterus). 

Timing Of Pregnancy Tests

The majority of women who purchase a home pregnancy test do so because their period is late.

If you experience irregular periods, this can complicate things, as it will mean you are less familiar with your monthly cycle.

To get a more accurate test result from your test, you need to have a vague idea about when you ovulate, when you last had unprotected sex, and when your period is due.

When is the earliest to take a pregnancy test?

Knowing about the below cycles can help narrow that down, making early pregnancy test results more accurate.

Ovulation

If you have a monthly cycle that lasts 28 days, you will likely ovulate on or around day 14 after your last period. 

Ovulation is the process of releasing a matured egg from one of the ovaries. Your chances of getting pregnant are at their highest 1-2 days after ovulation. Depending on the health of the sperm, it is also possible to get pregnant if you had sex 5 days before you ovulated. 

Your chances of getting an accurate test result will usually occur around 14 days after you have ovulated.

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Fertilization

If you engaged in sexual intercourse 5 days before you ovulated, or within 1-2 days after your ovulated, your chances of fertilization (a sperm meeting an egg) increase. 

Fertilization of an egg can occur within minutes of sexual intercourse, or it may take up to 12 hours, depending on where you are in your cycle and the health of the sperm.

Implantation

Implantation is when the fertilised egg burrows into the lining of the uterus. Here, it will start to grow and develop. Implantation occurs between 8-9 days after the egg has been fertilized. Depending on your age and health, it may occur 6 days after, or even up to 12 days after. 

Some women experience symptoms after implantation, such as light bleeding, tender breasts, nausea, bloating and cramping. If you have had sex which was unprotected and experience these symptoms, you may want to take a pregnancy test.

An early pregnancy test can detect the HCG levels that occur 3-4 days after implantation, so you won't necessarily have to wait for a missed period to take the test.

How Long Should I Wait To Take A Pregnancy Test After Drinking Water?

Try to wait for a couple of hours after consuming water to take a pregnancy test. You want the level of the pregnancy hormone, HCG, to be present and not diluted. 

Symptoms of Early Pregnancy

Some women get the feeling that they are pregnant before the first day of a missed period. When is it too early to take a pregnancy test you may ask? Generally, it is advised you wait at least 21 days after your last period.

However, there may be some signs that may point to you being pregnant before your period is late, such as: 

• Missed or lighter period. 
• Nausea or morning sickness. 
• Fatigue. 
• Sore breasts. 
• Needing to urinate more frequently. 
• Constipation.

Related read: Understanding the early signs of pregnancy

How To Test At Home

Taking a pregnancy test at home can be nerve-wracking, especially if you want one outcome over the other.

So, here are some tips to avoid an error or inaccurate result.

Step 1: Take the test first thing in the morning. This will ensure the highest concentration of HCG. 

Step 2: Check the expiration date and read the instructions. Note the symbols that will appear if you are or are not pregnant. 

Step 3: Check if you need to drip urine onto the test, if it needs to be held in a urine stream, or if it can be dipped into a cup containing urine. 

Step 4: Place the test on a flat surface. Check it after the stated time on the packet. 

Note: Do not drink too much water before taking the test, as it may dilute the HCG levels and give an inaccurate result.

FAQs on the timing of pregnancy tests

1. Can medicines or medical conditions cause false positives or negatives?

Conditions that can cause false positives can include disorders of the pituitary gland, different types of cancers, ovarian cysts, kidney disease, and severe urinary tract infections.

There are also medications, such as anticonvulsants, anti-anxieties, and diuretics, that can cause false positives.

2. Is a faint positive line valid?

Generally, yes, a faint line on a pregnancy test is considered valid and indicates a positive result.

3. What If One Test Is Positive and One is Negative?

At-home pregnancy tests have a higher chance of making errors in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

If you have 2 tests with differing results, there's a good chance you might be pregnant.

It's advised that you take another test in a couple of days. Take the next test first thing in the morning for better accuracy.

4. What Are Signs That the Pregnancy Test Is Invalid?

When you take a standard pregnancy test, there is a chance it may not work. Signs include no control line, broken lines, or no lines at all in the detection window. If this happens, take another test or contact your doctor.

If you have any other questions about pregnancy or pregnancy tests that are not answered here, you will probably find your answer in the general section of our FAQs page here. 

What if Your Test is Positive?

If your pregnancy test is positive, and you aren't sure how you feel about this, note that we live in an age of freedom.

If you aren't sure what to do, our caring and professional team at Top at Home is on hand to advise you on the next steps and your options.

If you need our help navigating this time of uncertainty, get in touch today.