How Early Do Pregnancy Tests Work Before A Missed Period? | Women’s Resource Center of Hancock County

August 8, 2024

Maybe you’re anxiously awaiting to find out if you’re pregnant, but you’re not sure when the right time is to test.

While pregnancies can be detected as early as 10 days after conception, it is recommended to wait to test until the first day of your missed period for the most accurate results.

Continue reading to learn more about how pregnancy tests work, tips for testing, and the importance of confirming your pregnancy before making any pregnancy decisions.

How Does an At-Home Pregnancy Test Work?

After the egg is fertilized, it travels through the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus’s lining. Once it has implanted, it begins to produce hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and as the pregnancy grows, the levels of hCG continue to increase.

Pregnancy tests work by analyzing the urine for the presence of hCG, and in some pregnancies, hCG can be detected once the fertilized egg implants. However, in other pregnancies, the levels of hCG may not be high enough to be detected until the first day of your missed period, so testing before missing your period could lead to a false negative test result.

Tips for At-Home Pregnancy Tests

When used correctly, at-home pregnancy tests are up to 99% accurate.

Here are some tips that will give you the best chance of getting an accurate result:

If possible, test your first-morning urine
Avoid drinking excess fluids before testing (chugging water may dilute hCG)
Testing too early may lead to a false negative test result
For the most accurate results, wait until the first day of your missed period to perform a test
Read the instructions because not every test works the same

Confirming Your Pregnancy

While at-home tests are highly accurate, it is possible to receive a false positive.

If your at-home pregnancy test is positive, it is essential to confirm your pregnancy with a lab-quality test as soon as possible.

After confirming your pregnancy, receiving a follow-up ultrasound scan can help you learn more about your pregnancy and options and equip you to make an informed decision.

Get Help Today

If you think you may be pregnant, the Women’s Resource Center is here to provide you with support.

We offer free lab-quality pregnancy tests and free ultrasound scans. After you learn more about your pregnancy, our trusted medical team can discuss your options and answer your questions.

You don’t have to navigate your pregnancy alone.

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