When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test?

Although you’re probably anxious to know if you're expecting, your body might not be ready to tell you. We broke down the recommended timeline for getting accurate results.

If you're wondering whether or not you're pregnant, there's an easy—and pretty darn reliable—way to find out. It's as simple as taking a home pregnancy test.

Regardless of whether you’re hoping for a negative or a positive result, taking an early test may seem like a good way to find out if you’re pregnant right away. Unfortunately, early testing may give you a negative result, even if you are pregnant.

It's important to take the test at the right time to maximize your chance of getting an accurate reading. Learn the best time to take a pregnancy test in order to get the most accurate result, as well as the risks associated with testing too early.

when is a pregnancy test most accurate

EMILY ROBERTS

When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

Waiting to find out if you're expecting can be nerve-racking, but you're less likely to get an accurate pregnancy test before a missed period.

Here's why: An embryo implants in the uterine wall about six to 12 days after fertilization, and it will start producing a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Pregnancy tests work by detecting hCG in your urine, but it can take some time for your body to produce enough for an accurate result.

In general, "a urine test needs 50 units of hCG to test positive," explains Daniel Roshan, MD, an OB-GYN at Rosh Maternal-Fetal Medicine in New York City. Every pregnancy is different—you might have 50 units even before your missed period, or it could take a little longer to produce that amount.

How Accurate Are Home Pregnancy Tests?

Home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate when taken correctly. This means you should follow all instructions on the packaging, and avoid testing too early.

What About Early Detection Pregnancy Tests?

Some pregnancy tests claim to pick up hCG before your missed period—but there's no guarantee. Pregnant people have varying amounts of hCG until they miss their period. These "early detection" tests could work for some people, and they could give a "false negative" result for others (this happens when the test says you're not pregnant but you actually are, often because hCG hasn't risen to detectable levels yet).

The earlier you test, the more likely you'll get a false negative result—so waiting until after you miss your period is ideal even if you're using early detection tests. Check your pregnancy test's packaging to learn more about the accuracy.

What Is the Best Time of Day for a Pregnancy Test?

In general, you should take the pregnancy test first thing in the morning. That's because your urine has a higher concentration of hCG when you first wake up as it's less diluted from fluid intake.

Testing in the morning might not matter if your pregnancy has progressed enough to produce reliable hCG levels throughout the day, but it's especially important if you're testing around the time of your expected period.

Keep in mind there's nothing wrong with testing in the afternoon or evening; you might just have a greater likelihood of false negative results.

Tips for Accurate Pregnancy Tests

Here's how to increase your chances of getting a correct pregnancy test reading:

  • Take the pregnancy test in the morning because your urine has a higher concentration of hCG when you first wake up
  • Always follow the package instructions closely
  • Don't take a pregnancy test that has expired
  • Avoid chugging liquids before taking a pregnancy test, since this could dilute hCG levels in your urine
  • Read the results within the recommended time frame

I Got a Negative Pregnancy Test—Could I Still Be Pregnant?

Yes! Home pregnancy tests can give false negative results (and in rare cases, false positive results). As Dr. Roshan explains, a person's hCG levels double every 48 to 72 hours, so if you're really pregnant, it won't be negative for long. Take another test in a few days—or around a week after your missed period—and you can trust the results.

You can get false negative results for other reasons behind too-low hCG levels. These include using the test incorrectly, having an expired test, or relying on urine with a higher water content (diluted urine could skew the results).

For more accurate results, your health care provider might decide on a blood pregnancy test.

Taking a Test for Early Pregnancy Symptoms

You should also take a pregnancy test if you notice early pregnancy symptoms, which include the following:

It's important to call your doctor as soon as possible once you find out you're pregnant. That way, you can get the prenatal care and counseling you need to have a healthy pregnancy.

How Accurate Are Pregnancy Tests?

If you read the instructions carefully, most tests promise 99% accuracy on the day of your missed period—but not for early results. If you expect your period on Wednesday, Thursday would be the day of your missed period. Tests tend to be more accurate after your missed period. Likewise, first morning urine may be more concentrated and detect hCG more accurately.

Variables Affecting Accuracy

Keep in mind that the test's accuracy can depend on several variables. These include:

  • When in your cycle you take the test
  • The timing of ovulation
  • How closely you follow the directions
  • The time of day you test

Pros and Cons of Taking an Early Pregnancy Test

If you are considering taking a test before your period is late, it is important to consider the pros and cons before you do. Not only could it be expensive to take pregnancy tests too early, but it also could give you inaccurate results.

Benefits of Taking an Early Pregnancy Test

  • If positive, you are offered some clarity rather than waiting for two weeks.
  • Useful if you need to start or stop medications or other early interventions.
  • Allows you to begin any possible lifestyle adjustments right away.
  • Allows you to plan your next steps if your pregnancy is not wanted.

Drawbacks of Taking an Early Pregnancy Test

  • Higher chance of a false negative result.
  • If you're trying to conceive, you may risk feelings of disappointment over what could be a false negative result.
  • Expense—pregnancy tests aren't cheap!

When to Get a Pregnancy Blood Test

If your period is late by several days, and you’re still getting negative at-home pregnancy tests, it's a good idea to contact a health care provider as a blood test may be recommended.

Blood tests are able to detect a smaller amount of hCG and they can detect it slightly earlier than standard at-home pregnancy tests, usually nine to 12 days after conception. Blood test results are usually available the same day or within a day.

A blood test might be ordered by a health care provider in order to rule out pregnancy in the event your period is late and you don't know why, as there are other medical conditions and issues that can cause a missed period besides being pregnant.

Additional reporting by Rachel Gurevich, RN.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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