When to Take a Pregnancy Test

The time duration for the fertilized egg to be implanted in the uterus wall differs from woman to woman. It usually takes around 6 to 12 days for implantation to occur after ovulation. The hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone is released in the blood and the urine by the placenta once the implantation is done. As the hCG levels become so high during early pregnancy, they can be picked up by a pregnancy test within 10-16 days of conception. The sensitivity of the pregnancy test also plays a part in deciding when to take pregnancy test. Some home pregnancy test brands specify the best time to use the test in the instructions.

You can click HERE to see how soon you can take a pregnancy test.

Here is video explaining when to take a pregnancy test.

Urine Tests

If you are wondering when to do pregnancy test, it is best to start with a urine test. This test can be performed either at home or at a doctor's clinic. Most women prefer taking this test because it can be taken privately and conveniently. Taking a urine test is very simple as the test equipment is available in stores and come with instructions which are simple to follow. The findings of these tests can be confirmed later on by doctors.

Blood Tests

The decision of when to do pregnancy test can be made simpler by taking blood tests. These tests can determine whether you are pregnant or not pretty quickly. In fact, they can detect a positive pregnancy in about 6-8 days of ovulation. However, these tests are usually not performed mostly because their results take a lot of time.

• Ÿ A qualitative hCG test: This type of blood test is performed only to check whether hCG is present in blood or not. It only gives the doctor the idea about a yes or no with regards to pregnancy. This blood test is usually ordered by doctors 10 days after a missed period for confirming pregnancy.

• Ÿ A quantitative hCG test: This blood test is also known as beta hCG test. It is used for measuring the exact amount of the hCG present in blood. It can detect even the minutest levels of hCG in blood with ease. This type of blood test is used for many other purposes in addition to confirming pregnancy. Since it can determine the concentration of hCG, it is also used for investigating pregnancy problems, rule out ectopic pregnancy and for monitoring women after they have had a miscarriage.

Here is video helping you know how to take a pregnancy test.

If you have used the home pregnancy tests in a correct manner, then around 97% of the time they will give you an accurate result. However, since there is a chance of mistake, there are two tests available in most kits. There is the risk of getting a false negative if the test has been taken too early. A false negative is when the test shows that you have not conceived when you actually have. The reason why this happens is because the hormone level is not high enough and thus isn't detected by the test. You should test again after a few days if you think that the negative result from a pregnancy test is a false negative.

Although it is a rarity, there is a possibility of a false positive as well. A false positive is when the test shows that you conceived when you actually haven't. Your pregnancy must be confirmed later if your pregnancy test comes out to be positive.