If you’re worried you may be pregnant, you’re likely eager to take a pregnancy test. However, knowing when to take a pregnancy test is important so that you don’t get a false negative—this can happen when you take a pregnancy test too soon.
Read on to learn more about how an at-home pregnancy test works and the ideal time to take one.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
When you’re pregnant, the placenta produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that’s only present in your body during pregnancy. The levels of hCG gradually rise after conception and tell your body to stop menstruating and start thickening the uterus lining.
An at-home pregnancy test works by detecting hCG in your urine. If you receive a positive result, this means that the test has found detectable levels of hCG in your body. However, just because you received a negative result doesn’t mean you’re not pregnant—-it might mean that you took the test too early for the hCG to be detected by the test.
What’s the Best Time to Take a Pregnancy Test?
The best time to take a pregnancy test for the most accurate results is the first day of your missed menstrual period. In fact, most pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate if you wait until this time.
However, if you don’t track your menstrual periods, it can be difficult to know when you’ve missed one. If this is the case, you’ll need to estimate when you think you’re likely to have your period and take the test then. If it comes back negative but you still think you’re pregnant, test again in a week—if you are pregnant, this will allow the hCG to rise to detectable levels in your body.
Taking the test in the morning is also important, as this is when your urine is most concentrated and hCG levels will be easier to detect.
What If I Receive a Positive Result?
If you’ve received a positive result on your pregnancy test, it’s essential to follow up with an ultrasound to protect your health. This harmless scan will confirm that you’re in fact pregnant—it’s possible that you’ve miscarried since receiving the positive result. An ultrasound will also confirm the age and location of your pregnancy, which are important to know as you consider the next steps.
We’re Here for You
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed by emotions. This is understandable, and Women’s Pregnancy Center is here for you. You’re not alone. We offer pregnancy resources free of charge. These resources include ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, and parenting classes. Contact us today for a confidential appointment in a caring, non-judgmental space.
It’s important to note that abortion is illegal in North Dakota, which exceptions made for rape or incest during the first six weeks of pregnancy. Reach out to your local pregnancy center to learn about your alternatives to abortion, including adoption and parenting!
