Wondering when to take a pregnancy test?Pregnancy tests can be taken as early as three days after you think you may have conceived, but to be sure to get an accurate reading, you should wait until after the first day of your missed period.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
The hormone Human Chorionic Honadotropin (HCG) is produced as soon as the egg attaches itself to the uterine wall. HCG is produced rapidly during the first few days after conception. Home pregnancy tests check your urine for levels of this hormone, and as a rule, they're very accurate. Be sure to follow the instructions, so that you get an accurate reading.
There are a few things that can cause a false positive:
How to Take a Pregnancy Test
For home tests, simply wait until your first missed period and follow the instructions on the package. If you need results sooner, it's best to schedule an appointment with your doctor for a blood test, which is more accurate in the earliest stages of pregnancy.
If you take a home test early and get a negative, but you have the symptoms of pregnancy, wait three weeks and take the test again. If you've missed a period and you get a negative result, try taking a home test again in a week. If you are getting negatives with urine tests, but have still missed a period or have other symptoms of pregnancy, you should make an appointment with your doctor to have a blood test.
Urine tests can be purchased at any drug store. They offer privacy, since the test is done at home. When urine tests are taken properly, they are 97% accurate.
 | Understanding your fertility cycle is the key to a successful pregnancy. In addition to menstruation, there are other physical signs that show when you are most fertile. |
 | How soon can you take a pregnancy test? The accuracy of the results depends on the type of test you use. |
 | The very first signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman, and some women may blame these symptoms on other things. Here's what to look for if you suspect that you're pregnant. |
There are high-tech methods and old myths that may help you choose the gender of a child, but there are also ethical concerns to consider. |
Pregnancy test results from home kits can be confusing and occasionally inaccurate. Learn about the various tests available to help you know for certain whether you're pregnant. |
