Foolproof Pregnancy Test Instructions for Newbies

Kaitlyn McMackin PA-C

11/6/2024

So you think you might be pregnant? Whether it’s a late period, birth control failure, or signs of early pregnancy that have you questioning the status of your fertility, you want to know with certainty. Planned or unplanned, pregnancy is life changing and those first moments of uncertainty can feel overwhelming and isolating.

Let us help walk you through this process including determining when to test, taking you through the process step by step, answering those burning questions about accuracy, and letting you know next steps. You are not alone!

When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?

Many women wonder how long after sex to take a pregnancy test. A pregnancy test won’t read as positive until, at the very earliest, 10 days after conception. Conception cannot occur until after ovulation, and most women ovulate around 12 to 18 days after the first day of their period.3

Most pregnancy tests recommend that you wait to test until at least the first day of your missed period. Some very sensitive (and usually more expensive) pregnancy tests claim to detect a pregnancy “6 days sooner than your missed period.”1 However, for the most reliable results, wait until 21 days after unprotected sex or birth control failure, or one week after a missed period. Otherwise, you risk a false negative test result.

The best time of day to take a pregnancy test is first thing in the morning after you wake up. Pregnancy tests check for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is the hormone released by a fertilized egg that tells your body to pump the breaks on starting your period so the fertilized egg can implant in the lining of your uterus.2

HCG is detected in urine and is better detected in more concentrated urine (for example, after you haven’t had any liquids or used the bathroom for eight hours). You can often still detect hCG any time of day; however, you are most likely to get accurate results first thing in the morning.2

How do I take a pregnancy test? Step by step instructions

1. Buy the pregnancy test.
2. Read the instructions on the kit.
3. Collect your supplies.
4. Take the test (pee).
5. Wait for the results.
6. Interpret the results.

If the result is positive, hCG (the pregnancy hormone) was detected in your urine, and you are pregnant. If the result is negative, no hCG was detected and you are most likely not pregnant.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests?

A positive pregnancy test is reliable regardless of the type or brand of home pregnancy test. Almost all pregnancy tests, when taken appropriately, are 99% accurate.2,3 Home pregnancy tests are also as accurate as urine tests offered at all medical facilities.3

A positive pregnancy test is reliable regardless of the type or brand of home pregnancy test.

What about blood tests?

Blood tests aren’t usually necessary to confirm test results. Properly-taken urine pregnancy tests usually work just as well as blood tests.3 Blood tests can detect a pregnancy sooner; however, you often have to wait longer for the results (most of the time a few days) and they are more expensive.

If there is concern about the viability of the pregnancy (meaning if you might be having a very early miscarriage or another pregnancy complication), a medical provider may draw blood to check a blood hCG level. If you are having bleeding with a positive pregnancy test (more than a little spotting), you should call an OBGYN or go to the emergency room, where they will likely check a blood level.2

What do I do after a negative pregnancy test if I still haven’t gotten my period?

There are many reasons for a negative pregnancy test, the most obvious being that you actually aren’t pregnant and your period will start shortly.

It could also be too early for the test to detect hCG, in which case you will want to test again in three to five days. If your test continues to show negative and you haven’t gotten your period yet, it might be worthwhile to check in with an OBGYN.

Irregular cycles are often common for women with medical conditions such as PCOS or thyroid disorders, and many birth control types can cause irregular cycles. Stress, sudden weight changes, strenuous physical activity (such as training for a marathon) can also be causes of missed periods not related to pregnancy. However many causes of a missed period or regularly irregular cycles are worth being seen by a medical practitioner, or may be cause to change birth control.3

What do I do after a positive pregnancy test?

If the pregnancy test is positive, call your OBGYN and schedule an appointment. Let them know you had a positive pregnancy test and the date of your last period. They will make you an appointment anywhere from six to eight weeks after the first day of your last period.

It is important to follow up with an OBGYN for the sake of your health. If you don’t have an OBGYN, you can call your primary care doctor’s office and ask who they would recommend or Google OBGYNs in your area. Check out this article with more tips on finding a quality OBGYN. If you have medical insurance, it may be beneficial to check with the receptionist to confirm that they take your type of medical insurance.

You can also check out other articles from She Might to learn more about what to expect from pregnancy and prenatal care, including information about next steps after a positive pregnancy test.We are a community here to support you during this time!

You’ve Got This!

This can be a life changing moment and is one that can feel very isolating. But you are not alone! Millions of women have been in your exact shoes, counting the days from their last period, agonizing over what test to buy and when to take it, and waiting anxiously for the results.

Regardless of those test results, you are loved and valuable. We hope the She Might community provides you support and insight into this part of your journey with the unexpected!

Other Articles to Check Out

Sources:

1.  “Early Result Pregnancy Test.” Early Result Pregnancy Test | First Response | FIRST RESPONSE. Accessed March 5, 2021. https://www.firstresponse.com/en-ca/products/pregnancy/early-result-pregnancy-test. 
2.  “Home Pregnancy Tests: Can You Trust the Results?” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, February 24, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940#:~:text=Many%20home%20pregnancy%20tests%20claim%20to%20be%2099,period%20or%20talk%20to%20your%20health%20care%20provider. 
3.  “Pregnancy Test Information.” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed March 5, 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9703-your-guide-to-pregnancy-tests.