QUICK GUIDE: Use first morning urine, test 1 day after missed period. Cheap tests work as well as expensive ones if FDA-approved. Follow timing instructions exactly.
Just because a pregnancy test is simple, that doesn’t mean it’s stress-free. The thing to remember when testing for pregnancy is that today’s pregnancy tests actually do work! We understand that when you’re waiting, full of uncertainty and anxiety, for those two magic lines to appear on a urine stick, it feels like time stands still — waiting with you to see what fate has in store.
And then come the questions. What if the test was not accurate; what if the lines are so faint that the answer isn’t clear? Are pregnancy tests always 100% correct?
Let’s answer these questions, and more, and try to reduce the stress and anxiety that seems to go hand-in-hand with pregnancy testing. So, whether you think you may be pregnant, or you’re trying to get pregnant, let’s discuss how pregnancy tests work, which one to buy, what time during your cycle the test should be taken, the best time of the day to take a pregnancy test, and what to do if your pregnancy test should prove negative.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
There are a number of different over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy tests available for purchase: some have a plus or minus sign, some have double lines (either pink or blue), some have “pregnant” or “not pregnant”, and some have words like “yes” or “no”.
OTC pregnancy tests range in price; however, they all work by detecting a placenta-produced hormone known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, commonly known as hCG. Once an embryo has implanted in the uterus, hCG can be detected in your urine and bloodstream almost immediately.
Key facts about different test types:
- Traditional tests: Show lines (pink or blue) – BFP means “big fat positive!”
- Digital tests: Display “pregnant” or “not pregnant”
- Digital advantage: Can detect lower hCG levels (15 mIU/mL vs 40 mIU/mL for traditional)
- Bottom line: Both types work well when used correctly
Which Test Should You Buy?
When it comes to over-the-counter pregnancy tests you’ll find that they come in a wide range of prices. First you need to decide which method would work best for you, because even though the tests work in the same way, some have different methods for testing.
With some tests you need to pop the testing stick into a cup of urine, while with others you’re required to hold the stick under your urine stream. So make sure you read the instructions before purchasing so you know which method to use. If you’re in a hurry, the testing strip you use while you pee would probably be the quickest and easiest.
Keep in mind, also, that the lines on non-digital pregnancy tests can be either pink or blue; either way, if you can see both lines, then you’re pregnant. Many women prefer pregnancy tests with blue lines, as they seem to be easier to read than pink lines.
If the lines are showing up after taking a test, but they’re not very clear, then take another test in a day or two.
The honest truth about price: Tests can range from £1 to £12, but if you’ve purchased an FDA-approved test, the results are more than 90% accurate. You don’t need to pay £12 for accuracy – cheap tests work just as well as expensive brands when used correctly.
If you want to take your pregnancy testing to the next level, you may be interested in a recent innovation whereby your pregnancy test will not only tell you that you’re pregnant, it will also tell you how far along you are. Digital pregnancy tests by Clearblue report a 99% accuracy as to whether you’re pregnant, or not, and an accuracy rate of between 45% and 99% when estimating the number of weeks since ovulation. This pregnancy testing technology by Clearblue is still quite new, but it does show that technology is evolving. If you really want to confirm how far along your pregnancy is then simply make an appointment to visit your health practitioner.
When to Test
If you’re trying to get pregnant you may have come across the acronym 2WW — this stands for “two-week wait“. 2WW is the time between ovulation and the best time to use a pregnancy test. Providing your periods are regular, this would be approximately a day after your period would have arrived. Timing is the best way to make sure your pregnancy test is as accurate as possible, and you could well receive a false negative result if you take the test too early.
Remember that the instructions that come with your pregnancy testing kit are there for a reason, so make sure you follow the instructions very carefully. For example:
- Test approximately 1 day after your missed period
- Follow kit instructions carefully (don’t pee over the entire stick if instructions say to submerge only to a certain point)
- Don’t check results too early or too late – set a timer if needed
- Use first morning urine for best accuracy
Reading the results too early could give you a false negative result, and if you wait too long the results may fade. Incidentally, if you do get a false negative result, commonly known as a BFN (big fat negative), then simply take another pregnancy test to confirm the result. False negative results can occur if you take the test too early, check your test results too soon, or use diluted urine. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you take a pregnancy test when your urine is the most concentrated, typically first thing in the morning.
Best Time of Day to Test
To achieve a high level of accuracy with your pregnancy test, you should take the test when you first empty your bladder in the morning. Your urine becomes diluted throughout the day as you consume liquids, so if you take the test sometime throughout the day, you’re increasing the chances of getting a false negative, meaning that the test may not be able to detect the proper level of hCG.
If You Get a Negative Result
Try not to panic or get too upset if your pregnancy test reveals a BFN. Keep in mind that, after six months of trying to get pregnant, almost 20% of couples are unable to conceive. There are so many factors that come into play when you’re trying to conceive. For example, perhaps you misjudged your ovulation date, or maybe you’ve been going through a very stressful time at work. Have you been exercising excessively?
Why not be proactive about your desire to become pregnant and make an appointment to visit your local health practitioner and let him/her know that you’re trying to get pregnant? Your doctor will be able to take a close look at your lifestyle and determine what may be hindering your success.
When to see a doctor:
- You’ve been trying for over a year without success (or 6 months if over 35)
- You have irregular or painful periods
- You have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis
The earlier any issues are identified and treated, the better your odds of a successful pregnancy. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Your healthcare provider is there to support you every step of the way.
Photo credit; “The Best Way to Take a Pregnancy Test” by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Baby
