Many home pregnancy tests say they can tell if you’re pregnant right at the start of a missed period, and some even earlier. But, taking the test after the first day of your missed period usually gives more accurate results.
Even if you’ve taken a home test, you should have a lab-quality pregnancy test performed by a medical professional. Our pregnancy tests at Hope of the Delta are 99% accurate, with results available within minutes.
How It Works
A home pregnancy test looks for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine, a hormone that rises quickly in your body during early pregnancy. If you take the test a day or two after missing your period and you’re pregnant, it’s more likely to detect hCG and show that you’re pregnant.
When you ovulate affects how accurate the test can be, and this can change every month. The time it takes for a fertilized egg to settle into the uterus can vary, influencing when hCG starts to appear and when a test can spot it. If your menstrual cycle isn’t regular, it can be tricky to know the best time to take a pregnancy test.
When Should I Take One?
It’s best to take the test after your period is late to get a more accurate result. Taking the test too early might give you a false negative result, which means that you’re pregnant but your hCG levels are too low for the test to detect. If you test negative but then your period doesn’t come, try taking another test.
In general, the best time to test is in the morning. However, some pregnancy tests are sensitive enough to detect hCG no matter what time of day you take the test. When possible, try to wait until it’s been three hours since your last bathroom visit before you take the test.
Get A Free, Lab-Quality Pregnancy Test
At Hope of the Delta, we provide free lab-quality pregnancy tests so you can get the answers you need.
If you have a positive result, you may qualify for a free ultrasound, the second step for confirming your pregnancy and getting the key details you’ll need to know to stay safe.
Contact us to make a confidential appointment in a safe space.