For women who have been trying to conceive, taking an early pregnancy test is a big moment. The whole “am I or aren’t I?” question is about to be answered and the emotions tied up with the big reveal cannot be overestimated. Show
But, repeatedly taking tests can get expensive and disappointing if they’re negative again and again. So, when is a realistic time to take an early pregnancy test to both minimise expense and disappointment? Here we explain everything you need to know about taking pregnancy tests… How soon will a pregnancy test read positive?Some pregnancy tests will be able to give you a positive result as soon as one day after a missed period. However, there are some pregnancy tests that can detect pregnancy early and will be able to show you the result 10 days after conception. The best time to take a pregnancy test is one week after your missed period as this will show you the most reliable result. If you’re taking the pregnancy test early, do it in the morning when your urine is at its most concentrated so the test can more easily detect the HCG hormone. If you wait until one week after your period, you can take the pregnancy test any time of the day. How early can you take a pregnancy test? It’s recommended that you wait until at least the first day after your mission period. However, there are pregnancy tests available that can tell you if you’re pregnant as soon as 10 days after conception. How soon after unprotected sex can I test for pregnancy? Unfortunately, a pregnancy test will not show you are pregnant straight away as it takes your body time to release the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which shows up on pregnancy tests. It will be around 12-15 days after conception that you can test for pregnancy to get a reliable result. What is an evaporation line on pregnancy test?Evaporation lines on pregnancy tests are really common and can occur on any test. The evaporation line is the line that appears in the results window as the urine dries. It’s important to understand the difference between an evaporation line and a positive pregnancy test; you can do this by:
Can you get a false positive on a pregnancy test?Can a pregnancy test be wrong? It’s rare to get a false positive on a pregnancy test, but yes, it can happen. The causes of a false positive pregnancy testA pregnancy test will only show positive if you have hCG in your system; there can be a number of causes of a false positive pregnancy test, including:
Are pregnancy tests accurate? Can a pregnancy test be wrong?Home pregnancy tests are accurate if you follow the instructions, although some are more sensitive and others are easier to use and interpret - so if funds allow, it may be worth buying a couple of different ones. If your period is late and a home test is positive you can consider yourself pregnant. Remember though that if you test too early you may get a false negative result because not enough of the hormone has built up in your system. You should ideally wait four or five days before testing again. It is also worth noting that in early pregnancy, before a fetal heartbeat can be detected on a scan, or where there is bleeding and there is uncertainty about whether the pregnancy is continuing, a blood test which measures the hCG levels can help. If they are rising sufficiently, they can point to a healthy pregnancy. Can twins cause a false negative pregnancy test?Although rare, it is possible for a twin or multiple pregnancy to cause a false negative pregnancy test due to the levels of hCG being very high. If you are seeing a negative pregnancy test but are experiencing pregnancy symptoms, speak to your GP. How to do a pregnancy testWhilst each pregnancy test will come with its own instructions, here is a basic step-by-step guide to taking a pregnancy test. Please remember to always read the instructions from your specific pregnancy test.
Is a faint line on a pregnancy test positive?Yes – it doesn’t matter how faint the line is, if you have a line on your pregnancy test you are pregnant. How do pregnancy tests work?Home pregnancy tests detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG (Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), in your urine. Your body starts to produce hCG when a fertilised egg implants in your uterus and is secreted by the cells which will go on to form your baby's placenta. It can usually be detected in your urine from about 6 to 14 days after fertilisation. When you decide to test, try not to drink too much beforehand as it could dilute these levels. Some tests may recommend that you use the first urine of the day as levels of hCG become more concentrated in your urine overnight. Types of pregnancy tests available
Where to buy a pregnancy testYou don’t need a prescription for a pregnancy test. They are widely available in chemist shops and supermarkets, and you can also buy them online. Which pregnancy test is the best?You can find our round-up of the best pregnancy tests, here… |