Waiting to take a pregnancy test when you think you may be pregnant can be 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, make an appointment
When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test (For Best Results)?
Option 1: 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 a woman spots or bleeds during her first trimester, making her believe she had her period.
We see clients who are already entering their second trimester by the time they notice more obvious pregnancy symptoms and are shocked to find out they are pregnant.
Option 2: Two Weeks Later
Many women test according to the “two weeks” rule. This can provide accurate results for women with a predictable 28-day cycle and who ovulate once 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 ovulation date. Stress can also cause interruptions in a regular or typically predictable cycle.
Option 3: After You Miss Your Period
The best time to take a pregnancy test is when your period is supposed to start or after you realize your period is late. If your results were still unreadable or inconclusive, retake another pregnancy test the next day. For more accurate results, take the 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. If the results are inconclusive (or the results are positive, but you’re still unsure), make an appointment with us and know for sure.
Pregnancy Confirmation
Taking a home pregnancy test is often the first step. We’re your second. At your pregnancy confirmation appointment and options consultation, you can determine if the pregnancy is viable and how far along you are. We will also share accurate medical information on all your pregnancy options, including 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 looking for pregnancy resources, we are here with options, answers, and support.
All our services are free of charge and we do not benefit from any decision you make.
If you have just had sex and are worried that you could be pregnant here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. You can have sex and not get pregnant.
For a woman to become pregnant, a few things must take place. About halfway through her cycle, a woman’s body releases an egg into her uterus – something called ovulation. That egg has up to 24 hours to be fertilized by sperm before it dies.
Sperm can survive for around five days. This means a woman can conceive (become pregnant) from sex that took place five days before her body released an egg. Sex that takes place in the 24 hours after the egg is released can also lead to pregnancy.
According to yourfertility.com, if a woman “has sex five days before she ovulates, her probability of pregnancy is about 10 percent. If she has sex on the day of ovulation, or the two days before, the chance of getting pregnant is around 30 percent.” This means that even if all the stars align there is still only a 30 percent chance that a woman will get pregnant.
2. A pregnancy test measures your HCG levels.
HCG (the easy way of saying human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone that appears in your body after the fertilization of an egg. According to the American Pregnancy Association, HCG is “made by cells formed in the placenta, which nourishes the egg after it has been fertilized and becomes attached to the uterine wall.” The earliest signs of HCG can be detected through a blood test. For a woman taking a urinary pregnancy test, it is best to take the test 12-14 days after sex.
If you are unsure of when you ovulated, or are concerned you conceived during that time, check to see if you’ve missed your period. Missing a period is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. When checking to see if you’ve missed your period, count 28 days out from the first day of your last period. If you’ve passed the 28-day mark, you may want to take a pregnancy test. As Health Line states “Keep in mind that your period can sometimes be delayed or skipped due to stress, diet, exercise, or certain medical conditions.” Missing your period is not a guarantee that you are pregnant but for your peace of mind, it may be worth taking a test.
4. When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?
a. If you believe you could be pregnant and have missed your period
b. If you believe you could be pregnant and have not yet missed your period, you can take a test 12-14 days after sex.
If you think you may be pregnant, consult a women’s clinic, or a medical facility, like your local hospital or gynecologist. Your most important resource is information.
Call (815) 242-6402 to schedule your free and confidential appointment. Our staff is here to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information about your options for the future.
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Pregnancy is a life-changing event, whether it’s a planned parenthood or because of missed birth control.
Most people try to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible after having unprotected sex, but this may affect the accuracy of results.
I you take a pregnancy test too early, you risk getting a false negative result, which is when the test says you’re not pregnant even though you really are.
In this guide from USA Rx, we’ll go over how a pregnancy test works, and talk about the best time to take a test after unprotected sex for the most accurate results.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
There are two choices when it comes to pregnancy tests: urine tests and blood tests.
Only a healthcare professional (usually your OB/GYN) can administer a blood test, and this is typically not the route for women who need to know if they’re pregnant as soon as possible.
A quicker option is an at-home pregnancy test kit, which is available over-the-counter (meaning you don’t need a doctor’s prescription to get it).
A home test measures human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels in the urine. HCG is a hormone that everyone has, but when you’re pregnant, your body ramps up its production to help the uterine lining thicken.
HCG levels begin to increase soon after a fertilized egg implants into the uterus. On average, this happens about a week after conception.
Home pregnancy tests measure hCG using in your urine. Most tests ask you to place a few drops of urine on a designated test trip, and if high enough levels of hCG are present, there will be a color change on the strip to indicate pregnancy.
Depending on which test you use, a positive result may appear as a double vertical line, a plus sign, or the word “pregnant.”
If you have a negative test result, the test will usually display “not pregnant,” a minus sign, or there may be no change in the display at all.
What Is the Best Type of Pregnancy Test?
If you’re looking for the most accurate test, you don’t have to worry about picking the “best” pregnancy test.
Studies show that all home pregnancy tests have a 99% accuracy rate if taken at the right time in the pregnancy.
That said, pregnancy tests can have additional features that make them easier to use.
Here are three factors to consider when buying a pregnancy test:
1. Detection Time
More sensitive pregnancy tests can pick up on a type of hCG known as hCG-h that is produced early in pregnancy.
These tests can detect early pregnancy as soon as six days before some generic brands.
If you don’t want to wait until signs of pregnancy like a missed period to get pregnancy test results, investing in an early detection pregnancy test may be worth it.
2. Testing Method
All home pregnancy tests work by checking your urine for hCG levels.
First thing in the morning is usually the best time of the day for a test, as hCG can build up in your body as you sleep.
What differs between tests is how the urine is placed on the test strip. Some pregnancy tests ask you to pee directly onto the testing stick.
Others may provide you with a cup to pee into so you can dip the test strip into the container for testing. Others may even provide you with a dropper for putting a few drops of urine onto the test.
Taking a pregnancy test can be stressful enough on its own. To keep from adding even more stress to the experience, make sure to get the type of test that’s as easy as possible for you to take.
3. Display Type
The vertical line display is probably the most well-known feature of pregnancy tests.
This type of results display can be hard to read and may produce an ambiguous result, leading to the need to purchase another test.
It’s better to get it right the first time with a clear display.
Some pregnancy tests will display your results as a plus sign (which means you’re pregnant) or a minus sign (which means you’re not pregnant).
If you can spend a little more on a pregnancy test, then a digital one is usually the easiest to read.
Once your results are ready, you will see either “pregnant” or “not pregnant” clearly displayed on the test — taking away the guesswork.
How Soon Can I Test for Pregnancy?
You may be tempted to take a pregnancy test soon after having unprotected sex.
However, you need to give your body time to build up hCG — otherwise, a pregnancy test won’t pick up on it.
The earliest possible time you can take your pregnancy test is about eight days after conception. This is when hCG levels can begin to build up in some women.
However, at just eight days, there is no guarantee that your body has produced enough hCG to be detected by a pregnancy test. As such, you may not get an accurate result.
If you’re taking an early detection pregnancy test, you can usually use it as soon as five days before your next menstrual cycle.
Even with an early test, it’s still best to wait until your missed period for the most accurate results.
If your period is irregular, note the first day of your most recent cycle.
Count 30 days from the first day and take the test within days 30-35.
If you get a positive pregnancy test, be sure to confirm it with your healthcare provider through a blood test.
Urine pregnancy tests may say you are pregnant but it is possible to have a false-positive result.
If you get a negative test result but miss your next period or start to get pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, it is best to visit your doctor and have them run a blood test for you.
In Conclusion
Although you may be anxious to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible, it’s best to wait until after your first missed period for the most accurate results.
If you’re excited to get the results, an early detection pregnancy test can tell you if you’re pregnant up to five days before generic pregnancy tests.
References and Sources:
Pregnancy | FDA
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: The Pregnancy Hormone and More | PMC
Strips of Hope: Accuracy of Home Pregnancy Tests and New Developments | PMC