If you have missed a period and recently had unprotected sex, you may be pregnant. Pregnancy tests are most reliable from the first day of your missed period. You can carry out most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period. If you don't know when your next period is due, do the test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex. Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can be used even before you miss a period. You can do a pregnancy test on a sample of urine collected at any time of the day. It doesn't have to be in the morning. You can buy pregnancy testing kits from pharmacists and some supermarkets. They can give a quick result and you can do the
test in private. The following places provide free pregnancy tests: You may also be able to get a pregnancy test free of charge from your GP. All pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which starts to be produced around 6 days after fertilisation. Most
pregnancy tests come in a box that contains 1 or 2 long sticks. You pee on the stick and the result appears on the stick after a few minutes. All tests are slightly different, so always check the instructions. Yes. Some methods of contraception, such as the
contraceptive pill, contain hormones, but these hormones will not stop a pregnancy test working. No method of contraception is completely effective, so it's important to take a pregnancy test if you think you might be pregnant. Home pregnancy tests are accurate as
long as you follow the instructions correctly. A positive test result is almost certainly correct. However, a negative test result is less reliable. The result may not be reliable if you: Some medicines can also affect the results. If you get a negative result and still think you're pregnant, wait a few days and try again. Speak to your GP if you get a negative result after a second test but your period has not arrived. Continuing with the pregnancyIf you're pregnant and want to continue with the pregnancy, contact your GP or a midwife to start your antenatal care. You can use the pregnancy due date calculator to work out when your baby is due. If you're not sure you want to be pregnantIf you're not sure about continuing with the pregnancy, you can discuss this confidentially with a healthcare professional. Your options are:
As well as a GP or a nurse at your GP surgery, you can also get accurate, confidential information – from the age of 13 – from the following:
All these services – including community contraceptive clinics – are confidential. If you're 13 or older, the staff won't tell your parents. They'll encourage you to talk to your parents, but they won't force you. If you're under 25 and would prefer advice specifically for young people, the sexual health charity Brook provides a range of services for young people. The Brook website contains information on pregnancy choices. You can also use the Ask Brook 24/7 service. Video: Is the pregnancy test accurate?In this video, a midwife explains when you can take a pregnancy test and how to do it properly.
Media last reviewed: 5 February 2020 We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. The best time to take a pregnancy test is a the week after a missed period. Some tests may detect pregnancy 1-2 weeks after intercourse, but the body needs time to increase its levels of HCG. Testing before a missed period can increase the risk of a false negative result. Think you might be pregnant? Even with the most effective birth control methods, there’s always a chance for error. After all, it takes just one sperm to fertilize the egg. Finding out whether or not that’s happened is as easy as taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test. OTC pregnancy tests typically test your urine for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is only present if you’re pregnant. The hormone is only released if a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus or to your uterine lining. There are different ways to collect your urine for the test. Depending on the test you choose, you may have to:
According to Cleveland Clinic, most tests are 99 percent effective if taken after a missed period. The best part is that you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Simply open the test, follow the instructions, and wait for the recommended amount of time to view the results. After the recommended waiting time has passed, the tests will display your results in one of the following ways:
You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result. If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG. This typically takes seven to 12 days after successful implantation of an egg. You may receive an inaccurate result if the test is taken too early in your cycle. Here are some signs that you should take a pregnancy test. Share on PinterestOne of the first and most reliable signs of pregnancy is a missed period. If you don’t track your cycle closely, it might be hard to determine whether or not you’re late. Many women have a 28-day menstrual cycle. Consider taking a test if it’s been more than a month since your last period. Keep in mind that your period can sometimes be delayed or skipped due to stress, diet, exercise, or certain medical conditions. Also pay attention to your flow if you suspect pregnancy. It’s common to experience light bleeding or spotting in the early weeks as the egg buries deeper into the uterine lining during implantation. Take note of any difference in the color, texture, or amount of blood. Contact your doctor if you have bleeding and a positive pregnancy test. Share on PinterestImplantation can also produce a feeling similar to menstrual cramps. In early pregnancy, you may feel this discomfort and think your period is just around the corner, but then it never comes. Sound familiar? Take a test. Hormone levels vary by woman and by pregnancy. Share on PinterestAs your pregnancy produces more and more estrogen and progesterone, these hormones start to make changes in your body to support the baby’s growth. Your breasts may feel tender and appear bigger due to increased blood flow. Your nipples might hurt and the veins might look darker under the skin. Because many women also experience breast discomfort in the days leading up to their period, this symptom isn’t always indicative of pregnancy. Share on PinterestAlong with cramps and sore breasts, early pregnancy can cause:
As the weeks go on, these symptoms may get stronger before your HCG levels even out late in the first trimester. You know yourself, so pay attention to your body. Any unusual physical symptoms could prompt you to take a pregnancy test. Share on PinterestBirth control pills, condoms, and other types of contraceptive devices don’t provide 100 percent protection from pregnancy. In other words, there’s always a slight chance of pregnancy, no matter how careful you are. Despite your birth control preferences, consider taking a test if you experience any of the signs we’ve listed. Human error or defects can also result in unplanned pregnancy. Birth control pills can be difficult to remember to take each day. According to Planned Parenthood, 9 out of every 100 women on the pill will get pregnant if they don’t take it as directed. Condoms can break and tear or otherwise be used incorrectly. According to Planned Parenthood, nearly 18 in every 100 women relying on condoms for contraception get pregnant each year. If you’re worried about contraceptive failure, ask your doctor about alternative contraceptive methods, such as an intrauterine device (IUD). According to Planned Parenthood, less than one out of every 100 women using an IUD gets pregnant each year. Sexually active women in their reproductive years have a chance of pregnancy every month, even when using protection. There are certain signals your body might send that should prompt you to take a pregnancy test. For the best results, take the test after you think you’ve missed your period. Test during your first morning bathroom visit, or hold it for several hours to increase the concentration of the HCG hormone that the test measures. Testing early helps to ensure that you get proper care for yourself and, if applicable, prenatal care for your baby. In the event of a positive result, contact your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your options and potential next steps. Can you take a pregnancy test 1 week before expected period?All you need to know about testing early for pregnancy.
Clearblue Early Detection Pregnancy Test can tell you 6 days sooner than your missed period (which is 5 days before your expected period)1. No matter when you test, you can be confident in the accuracy of a 'Pregnant' result with any Clearblue Pregnancy Test.
How soon will a pregnancy test read positive?In many cases, you might get a positive from an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception. For a more accurate result, wait until after you've missed your period to take a test. Remember, if you take a test too soon it could be negative even if you are pregnant.
|