You may be pregnant if you recently engaged in unprotected intercourse and missed your period. Pregnancy tests are the most accurate beginning the first day after your missed period.
When to perform a pregnancy test?
Most pregnancy tests are usable starting on the first day after a missing period. If you are unsure of the onset of your menstruation, take the test at least 21 days after your last instance of unprotected intercourse. Even before you miss a period, you can use some extremely accurate pregnancy tests. A urine sample taken any day can be used to perform a pregnancy test. It's not necessary to have it in the morning.
Where to get pregnancy test?
Pregnancy test kits are available from pharmacies and some supermarkets. You can take the test in privacy, and they can provide a speedy result.
Pregnancy testing is free at the following locations:
- Services for sexual health
- Brook centers for people under 25 - locate the Brook center nearby you
- Your doctor could also be able to provide you with a complimentary pregnancy test.
What is the process of a pregnancy test?
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which begins to be produced about six days after conception, is the hormone that all pregnancy tests look for.
Most pregnancy tests come in a box with one or two lengthy sticks. After a few minutes, the urine you put on the stick will show up there. Always read the instructions because every test differs somewhat.
Can a pregnancy test be used when I'm taking the pill?
Yes, some contraceptive treatments, including the pill, include hormones, but this won't stop a pregnancy test from working.
If you believe you might be pregnant, it's crucial to get a pregnancy test because no method of contraception is 100% successful.
Pregnancy test results
If the directions are correctly followed, home pregnancy tests are reliable.
A positive test result is nearly accurate. A negative test result, however, is less trustworthy.
If you do any of the following:
- Fail to adhere to the directions precisely
- Take the exam too soon
Several medications may also impact the outcomes.
Wait a few days and retest if you receive a negative result but are still convinced you are pregnant. If a second test yields a negative result but your period has still not arrived, consult your doctor.
When to check for pregnancy.
After fertilization, the egg moves to the uterus (womb), where it embeds in the uterine wall. From roughly 7 to 9 days following ovulation, trace levels of the pregnancy hormone, HCG, may show up in your urine if implantation is successful. All at-home pregnancy tests find this hormone. As early as six days before your missed period, some early pregnancy tests, like the Clearblue Early Detection Pregnancy Test, can determine whether you are pregnant (5 days before you expect your period).
With every Clearblue Pregnancy Test, you may have faith in the precision of a "Pregnant" result regardless of when you test.
However, if you test early, before the start of your period, you should be aware that even if the results show that you are not pregnant, you still might be. This is because a woman's human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) level might not be high enough for the test to result in a positive finding yet hCG levels vary from woman to woman. According to the graph below, hCG levels grow quickly in the early stages of pregnancy, so if you test again on the day you anticipate your period, the result (whether positive or negative) will be over 99% correct.
Your period is supposed to begin on the day of your anticipated period. This is the first day of your "missing period" if you are still not on your period the following day. Taking a test as early as four days before your expected period is equivalent to waiting five days before your missed period, according to recommendations in the brochure.
Use the calculator below to determine the appropriate time to take a pregnancy test. Most women have irregularly sized menstrual cycles, which is normal. If your cycles are inconsistent, you should utilize the longest cycle you've had in the past six months.
How soon can I test for pregnancy after unprotected sex?
Generally speaking, Dr. Whelan advised waiting at least two weeks after having unprotected intercourse before taking a pregnancy test to get the most reliable results. That holds for both blood tests and at-home exams. This is because hCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy, needs time to accumulate in your body. Additionally, the one used in pregnancy testing. If you take one too soon, a false negative pregnancy test result is possible.
How accurate are pregnancy tests?
You have two ways to find out if you are pregnant. And both are accurate.
When utilized properly, an at-home test has an accuracy range of 97% to 99%. (more on that below). A blood test in a lab or doctor's office has a 99% accuracy rate.
Call your doctor if you have a positive result at home. You can get help from your doctor to confirm your pregnancy. But false positive results are uncommon. Therefore, even if the lines on the test are barely visible, you are still pregnant.
The alternative is a blood test that a doctor would request. Note: According to Dr. Whelan, a blood test can identify lower levels of hCG than an at-home test, but results can take longer to come back because of lab processing. At your initial session, it's typical for the doctor to order a blood test to confirm the results after you receive a positive result at home. If you are having bleeding or stomach pain, which might be signs of a potential miscarriage, your doctor may also prescribe a blood test.
What can I do to ensure that the pregnancy test results are as accurate as possible?
Experts advise you to:
Take the examination in the morning: The level of hCG in your urine is highest at that time.
ASAP read your results. Pay strict attention to the directions on the package. A false positive may happen if you wait to review the findings after the advised period. (For instance, the findings of a First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test are available in three minutes.)
A lot of water or other liquids shouldn't be consumed before: diluting your urine may prevent the test from accurately detecting your hCG levels.
The ideal temperature range for the test storage is between 36- and 86-degrees Fahrenheit. That will facilitate a slower expiration process. In relation to that...
Because the antibody coating on a pregnancy test might start to erode and lose its potency over time, double-check the expiration date. After manufacture, at-home testing typically lasts one to three years.
