Every mum needs a pregnancy test kit at home. Having a late period, forgetting your morning pill, or trying to get pregnant. These are all reasons to taking home pregnancy tests. We know you have so many questions about them. How to get an accurate result? When is the best time to take it? And how to take it? Here, we will answer all your questions and more.
Home Pregnancy Tests: All You Need to Know
When is the best time to take home pregnancy tests?
The best time to take a home pregnancy test is when your period is late. Counting your cycle days or using an app to do so helps you tell if you are late or not. Those apps also help you plan between pregnancies.
However, if your period is irregular, or you are not counting. Then it is best to take one after your longest cycle. For example, if your cycle is between 30 to 35 days, take the test on day 37 or after.
Moreover, make sure your period is actually late. Research shows that amongst 100 ladies, only 10 to 20 might get an accurate positive. Sometimes, you need to retake the test after 4 days of your period date.
Sometimes, pregnancy tests can tell you are pregnant early on. But even so, you will get more accurate results after your original period date.
Is there a preferred time during the day to take one?
Many mums are unaware that the timing of taking the test is important. Taking the test in the morning will give you more accurate results. Especially if your period is not late, or it is only late for a day or two.
Pregnancy tests work on detecting pregnancy by measuring hCG levels in urine. So, if you don’t drink much water during the night, or you don’t go to the bathroom. The levels will be more concentrated, giving you an accurate answer.
Having said that, it does not mean you cannot take it any other time during the day. But you might get a false answer, or a false negative. Especially if your period is not late.
Early home pregnancy tests
Many mums take a home pregnancy test when feeling early pregnancy signs, such as:
- – Unusual breast pain or tenderness.
- – Constantly needing to go to the bathroom.
- – Feeling slight contractions, also known as Implantation contractions.
- – Seeing blood spotting.
- – Feeling nauseous
- – Being overly sensitive to some scents.
- – Experiencing headaches.
- – Experiencing mood swings.
- – Having slight morning sickness.
You should know, experiencing those symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. Many mums feel pregnant, when they are not, and vice versa. The main reason for that is the hormonal changes our bodies go through on a monthly basis. And differentiating between PMS symptoms and pregnancy symptoms can be hard. In addition, you might feel those symptoms for other reasons. Such as lack of sleep or getting a cold.
How to take a home pregnancy test?
Understanding how to take a pregnancy test can help you understand when to take it. Home pregnancy tests have a piece of paper that measures hCG hormone. The results usually come as a single line, a double line, and plus or minus signs. But they do not measure pregnancy hormones. So, getting a false test does not mean you are not pregnant. It simply means the pregnancy hormones aren’t concentrated enough for it to show them.
An early pregnancy test can offer you an answer even a few days from your period date. As they are able to detect the hormones more than regular pregnancy tests. But still, getting an answer can be challenging as ovulation timings can differ. So if your period is irregular, it can make it harder to get an accurate result.
Moreover, keep in mind that taking fertility treatments can also affect home pregnancy test results.
Are pregnancy tests accurate?
Most pregnancy tests promise you 99% accuracy when taken correctly according to the instruction pamphlet. But that does not mean it will give you results before your period is late. In other words, if your period is supposed to start on a Wednesday then on Thursday it will be considered late. In addition, there are a few factors that affect a home pregnancy test’s accuracy, such as:
- – When you take it. As they are more accurate after having a late period.
- – Ovulation timing.
- – Following the instructions strictly.
- – When hCG is more concentrated, which is during early morning.
Think about pros and cons
Taking a home pregnancy test has many pros and cons, such as:
Pros:
- – There is a chance to get a positive result.
- – You don’t have to wait for a week or two to know if you are pregnant or not.
- – Helps you change your lifestyle instantly, like starting to take pregnancy vitamins.
- – Gives you a chance to use pregnancy stabilizers if need be, early on.
Cons:
- – There is always a chance for a false result.
- – If you are trying to conceive, it might disappoint you.
- – Extra expenses.
- – Not very reliable when taking fertility treatments such as Ovidrel.
