How long do you have to wait to take a pregnancy test?

Although this can seem too real to be true, according to scientists it is actually possible. In order to see any positive result, there must be the pregnancy hormone in your urine before your next period. According to scientists, tests that can detect pregnancy earlier are more than just a marketing angle.

In fact, the working principle of all pregnancy tests is based on their ability to detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. Although some tests have a 10 mIU/mL threshold in order for the result to be shown positive, the others may have a threshold of 25 or 30 mIU/mL to spot the hormone. In general, test kits claiming to identify pregnancy earlier than others use a lower threshold. 

However, this advanced knowledge will be costly. In fact, regular pregnancy test kits are twice as cheap as early-detection ones.

How long do you have to wait to take a pregnancy test?

Your placenta produces hCG hormone and it becomes detectable in your urine after 10 to 14 days following fertilization. However, although your placenta starts producing the hCG hormone rapidly after you become pregnant, it is not increasing at the same speed and amount in everyone. Because of this and since your cycle can differ slightly from one month to the next, it’s not unusual to get a false negative.

In general, the test result gets more accurate the longer you wait to take the test. In order to get the most accurate results, you should wait at least until you expect your next period.

How early is too early to take a pregnancy test?

You can minimize getting the false-negative result by testing your first urine of the day. As long as you are not visiting the bathroom often during the night, the hCG hormone will get its highest concentration in the morning, which will ensure that your test reflects the most accurate data.

You should not be worried when you get a negative result right away since there is always a chance that you might be pregnant up until the moment you get your next period. It is generally recommended to re-take the test a few days before your expected period.

However, if your test appears to be positive, you then do not need to re-take the test.

In addition, you may also think that taking a lab test at your doctor’s may reveal your pregnancy earlier than home-based pregnancy tests. Nevertheless, although blood tests can get you an answer earlier than a urine test, you should only opt for it if you can get the lab results on the same day.

Usually, most of the physicians agree than the ideal time you have to wait to take a pregnancy test is the date of your expected period. However, there is no harm even if you take a test every day since the general recommended time frame might not work for every woman.

How many minutes does a pregnancy test take?

In general home pregnancy test takes 3 to 5 minutes before you see the correct result. You should follow the instructions shown on the label for accurate timing and if the test sits for too long than the period of time specified in the instructions, then the test result can not be considered accurate.