When Is The Best Time To Take A Pregnancy Test?

Taking a pregnancy test can be exciting… it can also be nerve-wracking – even if you’re excited about the idea of being pregnant! Those few minutes waiting for a test can really feel like a lifetime, so you probably want to know that your test is accurate!

We’re always hearing that “you should only test in the morning” or “testing after you’ve had too much water won’t work” – but is any of that true? And is there an optimal time to take a pregnancy test? Most at-home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate if they are performed correctly, so we’re breaking down how they work, when you should take them, and how to know if those all-important results are right.

4 signs it might be time to take a pregnancy test

Lots of early pregnancy symptoms are similar to symptoms you might get throughout your menstrual cycle anyway, so it can be difficult to know when it’s time to take a pregnancy test. Here are some common signs:

1. You’ve missed your period: The most common sign people notice that prompts them to take a pregnancy test is a late or missed period. If you don’t track your periods closely, then it might be difficult to know how late your period is.

2. Sore breasts: If you’re pregnant, then you find your breasts may feel tender and appear bigger due to the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body that support baby’s growth. Many women also experience this in the lead up to the period, so it’s not a reliable sign of early pregnancy. 

3. Cramps: Sometimes, women experience cramps as the egg implants in the womb. These will likely feel similar to menstrual cramps.

4. Early pregnancy symptoms: Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, you could be experiencing those common pregnancy symptoms like nausea (not just in the morning, it could be any time of the day!), exhaustion, frequent urination, or food aversions. 

How do pregnancy tests work?

At-home pregnancy tests look for a hormone in your urine called human chorionic gonadotropin – more commonly called HCG. HCG will only be present if you’re pregnant, as it only develops in the body when there is a fertilized egg. When this hormone is present, the test will show a positive result.

Pregnancy tests are relatively straightforward to use and most at-home tests follow a similar process, but you should be sure to read the instructions for each test carefully as they do vary. For example, some pregnancy tests take 1 minute to produce the result and others take 5 minutes. Reading the result at the wrong time can mean the result is read incorrectly.

When should I take a pregnancy test?

There are two things people usually mean when they ask “when should I take a pregnancy test?” — It can mean when during my cycle should I test and what time of day should I test.

What time during my menstrual cycle should I take a pregnancy test?

Each day of your pregnancy, your body will create more HCG, it is actually through to double every 48-72 hours in most pregnancies! At home pregnancy tests are able to detect HCG early on — but the more of the hormone that’s in your body, the stronger the positive result will be. Some research shows that most over-the-counter tests aren’t sensitive enough to detect HCG until the first day of your missed period. So most recommendations suggest waiting until your missed period to take a test.

Lots of tests on the market do state that they give accurate results before a missed period, but there’s no evidence that this would work for everyone, as it largely depends on your HCG levels.

What time of day should I take a pregnancy test?

Have you ever heard someone say you should take a pregnancy test first thing in the morning? It’s thought to be more accurate to take a pregnancy test first thing in the morning because your urine is more concentrated and your HGC levels may be higher. However, according to the NHS, you can test at any time of the day and it does not have to be in the morning.

What should I do if I get a positive pregnancy test? 

We often hear that women have spent so long working towards that positive pregnancy test that once they see the double line or word “pregnant” they realize they don’t really know what comes next. Even if you’ve been working toward pregnancy for a while, it can still feel like a shock. 

1. You might be experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, so it’s important to take some time to adjust as reality sets in. If you have a partner, sit down and have an open and honest conversation about how you’re both feeling – share any worries, anxieties, fears, or even excitement you may feel. 

2. Call your GP or healthcare provider. They may ask you to come in for a blood test to confirm your result and will talk you through how next steps work where you are. Then, you’ll go in for your first antenatal appointment – it varies from place to place on when these happen. Some OB-GYNs or midwives may ask you to wait until week 8 for an appointment, but some may book you in soon after you call. 

3. Focus on your prenatal health and take care of yourself. It’s important to start taking prenatal vitamins and your healthcare provider can advise on the best ones for you to take. Eat nutritious foods and stay hydrated. You can also keep exercising during your first trimester, and we have everything you need here – What You Need To Know About 1st Trimester Exercise.

Does a faint positive line mean I am pregnant? 

Usually, yes, a faint positive line on a pregnancy test means that you are pregnant – if the test has been done according to the instructions and read within the specified time. According to ClearBlue, a leading pregnancy test brand, “a positive line, no matter how faint, means your result is pregnant”. If you test earlier in your pregnancy, when your HCG levels may still be low, then the line may appear fainter. 

Sometimes, you may see what is called an evaporation line on a pregnancy test. An evaporation line is common and is a line that appears in the results window of the test as the urine dries – it can leave a faint, colorless line. You may see this and mistake it for a positive result. One of the best ways to determine whether you are seeing a positive result or an evaporation line is to check the test in the time stated on the test instructions. If you let the test sit for a long time, it can be hard to know if a faint line is an evaporation line or a positive result. 

Does a negative pregnancy test result mean I am not pregnant? 

If you get a negative test result, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you aren’t pregnant. It’s possible to get a negative result when you are actually pregnant. You might get a false negative if: 

• You test too early: Very early in the pregnancy, there might not be enough HCG in your urine – so it’s harder for the test to detect it. In most pregnancies, HCG levels double every 48-72 hours, so if you believe you are pregnant but you receive a negative test – wait 2 or 3 days and test again. 

• You do the test incorrectly: home tests seem super straightforward - and they are - but they vary slightly in how they work. Some say leave for 1 minute, some for 5. Reading the result at the wrong time can mean the result is incorrect. So be sure to check the instructions carefully each time before you test. 

A false-positive is rarer with home pregnancy tests, but they do happen. A false-positive result could happen if you have had a pregnancy-loss soon after the fertilized egg attached to your uterine lining. You may also get a false-positive if you are taking certain fertility drugs that contain hCG.

Have a question about pregnancy tests? Leave it in the comments!

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