What is a pregnancy test, and how does it work?

Pregnancy tests check your pee or blood for a hormone called human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG). Your body makes this hormone after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of
your uterus.

This usually happens about 6 days after fertilization. Levels of hCG rise quickly, doubling every
2 to 3 days.

What types of pregnancy tests are available?

Two main types of pregnancy tests are blood tests and urine tests.

Blood tests

You get these at your doctor's office, but they’re not used as often as urine tests. These tests can
detect pregnancy earlier than a home pregnancy test, about 6 to 8 days after ovulation. It takes
longer to get the results than with a home pregnancy test.

The two types of blood pregnancy tests are:

A qualitative hCG test simply checks for hCG. It gives a "yes" or "no" answer to the question,
"Are you pregnant?" Doctors often order these tests to confirm pregnancy as early as 10 days
after conception. Some can detect hCG much earlier.

A quantitative hCG test (beta hCG) measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood. It can
find even very low levels of hCG. These tests may help track problems during pregnancy. Your
doctor may use them along with other tests to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized
egg implants outside your uterus, or after a miscarriage, when hCG levels fall quickly.

Urine tests

You can take these at home or in a doctor's office.

Along with being private and convenient, home pregnancy tests are quick and easy to use.
They’re also very accurate if you follow the directions. These pregnancy tests all work in a
similar way. You test your pee in one of these ways:

 Hold the test stick in your urine stream

 Collect pee in a cup and dip the test stick into it
 Collect pee in a cup and use a dropper to put it into another container

You’ll need to wait a few minutes before seeing the results.

After you take this test, you can confirm your results by seeing your doctor, who can do even
more sensitive pregnancy tests.

How accurate are pregnancy tests?

Urine home pregnancy tests are about 99% accurate. Blood tests are even more accurate.

A home test’s accuracy depends on:

 How closely you follow the instructions

 When you ovulate and how soon the egg implants
 How soon after pregnancy you take the test
 The sensitivity of the pregnancy test

When to Take a Pregnancy Test

Some pregnancy tests can spot hCG before you miss a period. But the results will be more
accurate if you wait until the first day of a missed period.

Results may also be more accurate if you do the test first thing in the morning, when your urine
is more concentrated.

Where can I get a home pregnancy test?

You can buy a home pregnancy test in a drugstore without a prescription. The cost depends on
the brand. But most tests aren’t very expensive.

What do the pregnancy test results mean?

Results may show up as a line, a color, or a symbol such as a "+" or "-" sign. Digital tests show
the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant." It's important to know what a positive or negative result
means.

If you get a positive result, you’re pregnant. This is true no matter how faint the line, color, or
sign is. If you get a positive result, you may want to call your doctor to talk about what comes
next.

In very rare cases, you can have a false-positive result. This means you're not pregnant but the
test says you are. You could have a false-positive result if you have blood or protein in your pee.
Certain drugs, such as tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, hypnotics, and fertility drugs, could cause
false-positive results.
If you get a negative result, you’re probably not pregnant.
But you may be pregnant if:

 The test is past its expiration date.

 You took the test the wrong way.
 You tested too soon.
 Your pee is too diluted because you drank a lot of fluids
right before the test.
 You’re taking certain medications, such as diuretics or
antihistamines.

If you get a negative result, try retesting within about a week to

double-check. Some home pregnancy tests suggest doing this no
matter what your first results are.

If you take the test twice and get different results, call your
doctor. A blood test is a good idea to confirm results.

If you have any other questions about the pregnancy test or the
results, call your doctor or the telephone number listed with the
test.
A pregnancy test can tell whether you are pregnant by checking for a particular hormone in
your urine or blood. The hormone is called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is
made in a woman's placenta after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. It is normally made
only during pregnancy.

Doing a pregnancy test

If you have missed a period and recently had unprotected sex, you may be pregnant. Pregnancy
tests are most reliable from the first day of your missed period.

When you can do a pregnancy test

You can carry out most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period. If you don't know
when your next period is due, do the test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex.

Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can be used even before you miss a period, from as early as
8 days after conception.
You can do a pregnancy test on a sample of urine collected at any time of the day. It doesn't have
to be in the morning.

Where you can get a pregnancy test

You can also 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:

 community contraceptive clinics – find sexual health services near you

 sexual health clinics
 some young people's services – call the national sexual health helpline on 0300 123 7123 for
details
 Brook centres – for under-25s
You may also be able to get a pregnancy test free of charge from your GP.

How does a pregnancy test work?

All pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which starts to
be produced around 6 days after fertilisation.

Most pregnancy tests come in a box that contains 1 or 2 long sticks. You pee on the stick and the
result appears on the stick after a few minutes. All tests are slightly different, so always check
the instructions.

Pregnancy test results

Home pregnancy tests are accurate as long as you follow the instructions correctly.

A positive test result is almost certainly correct. However, a negative test result is less reliable.

The result may not be reliable if you:

 do not follow the instructions properly

 take the test too early
Some medicines can also affect the results.
If you get a negative result and still think you're pregnant, wait a few days and try again. Speak
to your GP if you get a negative result after a second test but your period has not arrived.

Continuing with the pregnancy

If you're pregnant and want to continue with the pregnancy, contact your GP or a midwife to
start your antenatal care. You can use the pregnancy due date calculator to work out when your
baby is due.

If you're not sure you want to be pregnant

If you're not sure about continuing with the pregnancy, you can discuss this confidentially with a
healthcare professional. Your options are:

 continuing with the pregnancy and keeping the baby

 having an abortion
 continuing with the pregnancy and having the baby adopted
As well as a GP or a nurse at your GP surgery, you can also get accurate, confidential
information – from the age of 13 – from the following:

 a community sexual health clinic

 the MSI Reproductive Choices website
 the FPA: pregnant and don't know what to do leaflet
All these services – including community contraceptive clinics – are confidential. If you're 13 or
older, the staff won't tell your parents. They'll encourage you to talk to your parents, but they
won't force you. 

If you're under 25 and would prefer advice specifically for young people, the sexual health
charity Brook provides a range of services for young people. The Brook website contains
information on pregnancy choices. You can also use the Ask Brook 24/7 service.

How pregnancy tests work

Think you might be pregnant?

Even with the most effective birth control methods, there’s always a chance

for error. After all, it takes just one sperm to fertilize the egg. Finding out
whether or not that’s happened is as easy as taking an over-the-counter
(OTC) pregnancy test.

OTC pregnancy tests typically test your urine for a hormone called human
chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is only present if you’re pregnant. The
hormone is only released if a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus or to
your uterine lining.

There are different ways to collect your urine for the test. Depending on the
test you choose, you may have to:

 collect your urine in a cup and dip a testing stick into the liquid
 collect your urine in a cup and use an eyedropper to move a small
amount of fluid into a special container
 place the testing stick into the area of your expected urine stream so
that it will catch your urine midstream

According to Cleveland Clinic, most tests are 99 percent effective if taken after a
missed period. The best part is that you can do it in the privacy of your own home.
Simply open the test, follow the instructions, and wait for the recommended amount
of time to view the results.

After the recommended waiting time has passed, the tests will display your results in
one of the following ways:

 a change in color
 a line
 a symbol, such as plus or minus
 the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant”
How soon can you take a
pregnancy test?
You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed
period for the most accurate result.

If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait at
least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body
needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG. This typically takes seven to
12 days after successful implantation of an egg.

You may receive an inaccurate result if the test is taken too early in your
cycle.

Here are some signs that you should take a pregnancy test.

1. You’ve missed your period

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One of the first and most reliable signs of pregnancy is a missed period.

If you don’t track your cycle closely, it might be hard to determine whether or
not you’re late. Many women have a 28-day menstrual cycle. Consider taking
a test if it’s been more than a month since your last period.

Keep in mind that your period can sometimes be delayed or skipped due
to stress, diet, exercise, or certain medical conditions.

Also pay attention to your flow if you suspect pregnancy. It’s common to
experience light bleeding or spotting in the early weeks as the egg buries
deeper into the uterine lining during implantation. Take note of any difference
in the color, texture, or amount of blood.

Contact your doctor if you have bleeding and a positive pregnancy test.

2. You have cramps

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Implantation can also produce a feeling similar to menstrual cramps. In early

pregnancy, you may feel this discomfort and think your period is just around
the corner, but then it never comes.

Sound familiar? Take a test. Hormone levels vary by woman and by

pregnancy.

3. Your breasts hurt

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As your pregnancy produces more and more estrogen and progesterone,

these hormones start to make changes in your body to support the baby’s
growth.

Your breasts may feel tender and appear bigger due to increased blood flow.
Your nipples might hurt and the veins might look darker under the skin.

Because many women also experience breast discomfort in the days leading
up to their period, this symptom isn’t always indicative of pregnancy.

4. You’re feeling different

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Along with cramps and sore breasts, early pregnancy can cause:

 nausea
 food aversions
 exhaustion
 frequent urination

As the weeks go on, these symptoms may get stronger before your HCG
levels even out late in the first trimester. You know yourself, so pay attention
to your body. Any unusual physical symptoms could prompt you to take a
pregnancy test.

5. Your contraception failed

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Birth control pills, condoms, and other types of contraceptive devices don’t

provide 100 percent protection from pregnancy. In other words, there’s always
a slight chance of pregnancy, no matter how careful you are.

Despite your birth control preferences, consider taking a test if you experience
any of the signs we’ve listed.

Human error or defects can also result in unplanned pregnancy. Birth control
pills can be difficult to remember to take each day. According to Planned
Parenthood, 9 out of every 100 women on the pill will get pregnant if they
don’t take it as directed.

Condoms can break and tear or otherwise be used incorrectly. According to

Planned Parenthood, nearly 18 in every 100 women relying on condoms for
contraception get pregnant each year.

If you’re worried about contraceptive failure, ask your doctor about alternative
contraceptive methods, such as an intrauterine device (IUD). According to
Planned Parenthood, less than one out of every 100 women using an IUD
gets pregnant each year.