Home pregnancy tests (also called HPTs) detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy. When a fertilized egg implants into your uterine wall, the placenta begins to grow, releasing hCG into your bloodstream. Some home pregnancy tests can detect hCG in your urine six days before your missed period. For example, with the Clearblue® Early Detection Pregnancy Test, 71% of pregnancies can be detected 6 days before the missed period (5 days before the expected period).> Calculate when I can test

A pregnancy test checks your pee or blood to see if you're pregnant.There are different reasons you might take a pregnancy test. Maybe you're trying to get pregnant and you want a positive result. Or maybe something interrupted your birth control. You also might take a pregnancy test before having a medical procedure or starting a new medication, to avoid complications. This is true whether you're biologically female, nonbinary, or transgender male. If you have a uterus and ovaries (and you're ovulating), and you’re having penetrative sex with a penis, you can get pregnant.Here are the answers to some common questions about pregnancy tests.

Pregnancy tests work by checking your urine (pee) for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Your body only makes this hormone if you’re pregnant. HCG is released when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus — when pregnancy begins. If your pregnancy test results are positive, it means you're pregnant. If they’re negative, it means you’re not pregnant.Pregnancy tests are most accurate when you take them after you’ve already missed your period.A pregnancy test will be less accurate if it’s expired or if you don’t use it the right way. So always check the expiration date on the package, and carefully read the directions that come with your pregnancy test.

Home pregnancy tests can be very accurate if used properly.Since the earliest recorded history, women have had a strong desire to know whether they are pregnant as early as possible. The body goes through countless changes in the first trimester, and one of the first indicators is a change in the hormones that leave the body through urine.Ancient Egyptians relied on a form of urine testing to determine pregnancy status way back in 1350 BCE. A woman urinated daily on wheat or barley seeds and if the plants grew, it meant she was pregnant. Modern-day validation suggests that test was about 70% accurate in detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by a woman’s body soon after implantation of a fertilized egg inside the uterus.

The Best Time of Day and the Best Time in Your CycleFor many people, the decision of when to take a pregnancy test can be a major source of anxiety. Sometimes the stress is because you want to be pregnant. Sometimes it’s because you don’t want to be.Regardless of whether you’re hoping for a negative or a positive result, taking an early test may seem like a good way to find out if you’re pregnant right away. Unfortunately, early testing may give you a negative result, even if you are pregnant.It's important to take the test at the right time to maximize your chance of getting an accurate reading. Learn the best time to take a pregnancy test in order to get the most accurate result, as well as the risks associated with testing too early.

Pregnancy tests look for a special hormone —human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) — that only develops in a person’s body during pregnancy. These tests can use either your pee or blood to look for HCG. At-home pregnancy tests that use your pee are the most common type. When used correctly, home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate.ContentsOverviewTest DetailsResults and Follow-UpAdditional Details

You can buy pregnancy testing kits from pharmacists and some supermarkets. They can give a quick result and you can do the test in private.The following places provide free pregnancy tests:sexual health servicessome young people's services – call the national sexual health helpline on 0300 123 7123 for detailsBrook centres for under-25s – find your nearest Brook centreYou may also be able to get a pregnancy test free of charge from your GP.

From the very beginning of pregnancy, your body starts to go through changes to support the cells that will develop into your baby. One thing that happens very quickly is the production of HCG. If you’re pregnant, your body starts to produce more HCG. Your HCG levels start to build up once the fertilized egg implants in your uterus — about six to 10 days after conception.There are two main types of pregnancy tests — urine tests and blood tests. Often, you’ll take a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test. This type of test is available over the counter (you don’t need a prescription from your healthcare provider) and in a variety of price ranges. Blood tests to check for pregnancy happen in your healthcare provider’s office and involve giving a sample of your blood. The other way to confirm a pregnancy is by using an ultrasound. Your provider performs an ultrasound in their office.

A pregnancy test can tell whether you're pregnant by checking a sample of your urine (pee) or blood for a specific hormone. The hormone is called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). High levels of hCG are a sign of pregnancy. hCG increases quickly in the first ten weeks after a fertilized egg attaches to the inside wall of the uterus.Urine tests for pregnancy are most accurate when you do the test a week or two after you've missed your menstrual period. If you take a urine test too close to the time you got pregnant, the test could say that you are not pregnant even when you really are. That's because your body may not yet have made enough hCG to show up on the test.You can have an hCG urine test at your health care provider's office or you can do the test yourself with an at-home test kit. These tests are basically the same, so many people use a home pregnancy test before calling their provider. If you follow the instructions carefully, home pregnancy tests are about 97-99% accurate. They can give you the results in minutes.

Brandi Jones has over two decades of experience as a nurse in an acute care setting. Her clinical background includes pediatrics, medical-surgical, and women's health. She also specializes in professional staff development.HEALTH'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES If you've recently had unprotected sex, it's common to wonder when you should test for pregnancy. The short answer: home pregnancy tests are most accurate when you take them after your period is late. Generally, you can take early-detection pregnancy tests eight days after conception. However, experts suggest that you'll get your most accurate test results when you take a test 10 to 14 days after unprotected sex.1 

When you have decided that you’re ready for a baby, sometimes waiting to see the two little lines on a pregnancy test can feel like forever. Will it be this month? When you’re trying to conceive, you may overanalyze any new feeling that you’re experiencing. Are you bloated? Sore breasts? Is your lunch just not sitting right on your stomach?We break down the most common early signs of pregnancy and what you can do to feel more comfortable while your little bundle of joy is growing.

If you’re wondering if you’re pregnant, you need an answer. Immediately. However, that’s not necessarily possible if you want the most accurate results.How soon can you take a pregnancy test after sex? The answer may surprise you.“Many women panic when they realize they’ve missed a birth control pill or they’ve missed a period,” said Dr. Hardison. “We want you to know that we can help guide you through this process in a way that ensures you’re getting the most accurate results.”

Whether you're actively trying to get pregnant or not, the time between unprotected sex and when you can take a pregnancy test feels like forever. But if you test too soon, you risk getting a false-negative result, meaning you're pregnant but the test shows you're not.1The right time to take a pregnancy test after having unprotected sex is the first day after a missed period or 21 days after unprotected sex if you have irregular periods.This article will explain why it's important to wait and how to take a pregnancy test for accurate results.

After the egg is fertilized, it travels to the uterus (womb) and begins to implant in the uterine wall. If implantation is successful, tiny amounts of the pregnancy hormone, hCG, can start to appear in your urine from around 7 – 9 days after ovulation. It is this hormone that all home pregnancy tests detect. Some early pregnancy tests, such as the Clearblue Early Detection Pregnancy Test, can tell you whether you are pregnant as early as 6 days before your missed period (5 days before you expect your period)1.

There are two main types of pregnancy tests — urine tests and blood tests. Often, you’ll take a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test. This type of test is available over the counter (you don’t need a prescription from your healthcare provider) and in a variety of price ranges. Blood tests to check for pregnancy happen in your healthcare provider’s office and involve giving a sample of your blood. The other way to confirm a pregnancy is by using an ultrasound. Your provider performs an ultrasound in their office.

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Brandi Jones has over two decades of experience as a nurse in an acute care setting. Her clinical background includes pediatrics, medical-surgical, and women's health. She also specializes in professional staff development.HEALTH'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINESIf you've recently had unprotected sex, it's common to wonder when you should test for pregnancy. The short answer: home pregnancy tests are most accurate when you take them after your period is late. Generally, you can take early-detection pregnancy tests eight days after conception. However, experts suggest that you'll get your most accurate test results when you take a test 10 to 14 days after unprotected sex.1 Pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)—a hormone that people with female reproductive systems produce after conception and implantation.2 It can take up to two weeks after unprotected sex for your body to produce enough hCG for the test to detect the hormone properly.3 

Are you curious about pregnancy tests and how they work? Whether you’re trying to conceive or just want to be prepared, understanding pregnancy tests is an important part of your journey to motherhood. In this article, you’ll get all the information you need to know about pregnancy tests, including when to take one, how accurate they are, and what to expect when you take the test. So, if you’re looking for insight into pregnancy tests, you’ve come to the right place!

If you’ve had unprotected sex recently, then you might be wondering if you’re pregnant. And asking questions like, ‘how long do I need to wait before taking a pregnancy test?’ and ‘How do I make sure I’m getting the most accurate results?’ To answer those Qs (and more), we spoke to Dr. Anna Whelan, an OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine fellow at the Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island.

If you find out you're pregnant, you may feel happy and excited, or shocked, worried and upset.Talk to your GP, midwife or talk to a health professional if you feel anxious. They can help you to understand what is happening to your body, or can give you advice if you don't want to continue with your pregnancy.If you are pleased to be pregnant then you can start receiving antenatal support from your local midwifery service. Your midwife will help to ensure that you and your baby stay healthy during pregnancy, and can answer any questions you have.If you are not pleased to be pregnant then finding out early gives you more time to consider your choices.