Think you might be pregnant? Even with the most efficient birth control approaches, there’s always a possibility for mistake. After all, it takes just one sperm to fertilize the egg. Discovering whether that’s happened is as easy as taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test.
When Is the Best Time to Take a Pregnancy Test?
OTC pregnancy tests typically test your urine for a hormonal agent called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is only present if you’re pregnant. The hormonal agent is just launched if a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus or to your uterine lining.
There are different ways to gather your urine for the test. Depending on the test you select, you may need to:
- gather your urine in a cup and dip a screening stick into the liquid
- gather your urine in a cup and use an eyedropper to move a percentage of fluid into a special container
- place the screening stick into the area of your anticipated urine stream so that it will capture your urine midstream
According to Cleveland Clinic, many tests are 99 percent reliable if taken after a missed out on period. The best part is that you can do it in the personal privacy of your own home. Just open the test, follow the guidelines, and await the advised quantity of time to see the outcomes.
After the advised waiting time has passed, the tests will show your results in among the following ways:
- a color change
- a line
- a symbol, such as plus or minus
- the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant”
Also read: Home Pregnancy Test Prices
You must wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed out on duration for the most precise outcome.
If you do not want to wait until you’ve missed your duration, you need to wait a minimum of one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body requires time to develop noticeable levels of HCG. This generally takes seven to 12 days after successful implantation of an egg.
You may receive an unreliable result if the test is taken too early in your cycle.
Here are some signs that you ought to take a pregnancy test.
1. You’ve Missed Your Period
Among the first and most trusted signs of pregnancy is a missed period.
If you don’t track your cycle carefully, it might be tough to identify whether you’re late. Numerous women have a 28-day menstrual cycle. Consider taking a test if it’s been more than a month considering that your last period.
Remember that your duration can in some cases be delayed or avoided due to stress, diet, workout, or particular medical conditions.
Likewise take note of your circulation if you believe pregnancy. It’s common to experience light bleeding or identifying in the early weeks as the egg buries deeper into the uterine lining during implantation. Bear in mind of any difference in the color, texture, or amount of blood.
Contact your doctor if you have bleeding and a favorable pregnancy test.
Also read: What Causes False Negative Pregnancy Test
2. You Have Cramps
Implantation can likewise produce a feeling much like menstrual cramps. In early pregnancy, you may feel this pain and believe your period is simply around the corner, but then it never comes.
Noise familiar? Take a test. Hormonal agent levels differ by lady and by pregnancy.
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3. Your Breasts Hurt
As your pregnancy produces a growing number of estrogen and progesterone, these hormonal agents begin to make modifications in your body to support the baby’s development.
Your breasts might feel tender and appear bigger due to increased blood circulation. Your nipples may harm and the veins may look darker under the skin.
Due to the fact that many women likewise experience breast pain in the days preceeding their duration, this symptom isn’t constantly indicative of pregnancy.
4. You’re Feeling Changes in Your Body
Along with cramps and sore breasts, early pregnancy can cause:
- nausea
- food hostilities
- exhaustion
- frequent urination
As the weeks go on, these symptoms might get more powerful prior to your HCG levels even out late in the first trimester. You understand yourself, so take notice of your body. Any unusual physical symptoms might trigger you to take a pregnancy test.
5. Your Birth Control Failed
Contraceptive pill, prophylactics, and other types of contraceptive devices do not provide 100 percent protection from pregnancy. Simply puts, there’s always a slight possibility of pregnancy, no matter how careful you are.
In spite of your contraception choices, think about taking a test if you experience any of the signs we’ve noted.
Human mistake or flaws can also result in unplanned pregnancy. Contraceptive pill can be hard to remember to take each day. Inning accordance with Planned Parenthood, 9 out of every 100 women on the pill will get pregnant if they do not take it as directed.
Also read: Urine and Blood Tests to Detect Your Pregnancy
Prophylactics can break and tear or otherwise be used incorrectly. According to Planned Parenthood, almost 18 in every 100 women counting on condoms for contraception get pregnant each year.
If you’re fretted about contraceptive failure, ask your doctor about alternative contraceptive approaches, such as an intrauterine device (IUD). According to Planned Parenthood, less than one from every 100 women using an IUD gets pregnant each year.
When in doubt, test!
Sexually active women in their reproductive years have a possibility of pregnancy each month, even when utilizing security. 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 go to, or hold it for several hours to increase the concentration of the HCG hormonal agent that the test procedures.
Checking early helps to make sure that you get correct care for yourself and, if suitable, prenatal look after your baby. In the event of a favorable outcome, call your doctor as quickly as possible to discuss your alternatives and potential next steps.
What About Home Pregnancy Test?
Q: I think I might be pregnant, but I’m puzzled regarding when I ought to take an at home pregnancy test.
A: It really depends on the test if you are trying to find a day to take it some test enable you to test as much as five days prior to your missed out on duration. I took my own three days before i was expected to get my period and got a positive. I really took the test in the evening and it was not digital so i didnt look at it until the morning since my partner was not home. Uncertain if it matters a lot when you take it anymore as far as when in the day.
A: First early morning urine is when your hormones are the greatest, nevertheless you can take it at any point during the day depending upon the kind of test you get. Most will tell you to make sure that you have not “gone” for at least 3 hours before taking the test to allow your hormone level to build back up in your body. I choose the tests that say pregnant or not pregnant, they cost a little bit more, but the lines bug me. Is that two lines? It’s not dark enough? I hate that, so we’ve used pregnant or not pregnant on our last two pregnancies.
You might be interested in: Homemade Pregnancy Tests
How Accurate Are at-home Pregnancy Tests?
Q: How accurate are at-home pregnancy tests?
A: Home pregnancy tests (HPTs) are quite accurate. They work by identifying the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine, which is produced when pregnancy happens. Nevertheless, various brands of tests have the ability to recognize different amounts of the hormone. Levels of hCG are extremely low in the beginning of a pregnancy, triggering some HPTs to give an incorrect negative result. If you get an unfavorable result and still don’t have your period within a few days, you should retest.
