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Sep 29, 2023 · Flo’s pregnancy test calculator can help you work out when to take a pregnancy test, how early pregnancy tests work, and what can impact your results.
- Overview
- Test Details
- Results and Follow-Up
- Additional Details
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.
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How do pregnancy tests work?
When you take a pregnancy test, it’s looking for the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your body. You can find HCG in your pee or blood. HCG needs time to build up in your body. Each day of early pregnancy, your body will create more HCG. As the weeks go on, you’ll have more and more HCG in your body, which will make it more likely that a pregnancy test will show as positive. This means if you take a test too soon, it will come back negative. Pregnancy tests work by reacting to the amount of HCG in either your pee or blood. In a urine test, a piece of reactive paper detects the HCG. This test might show a plus sign, double vertical lines or even the word “pregnant.” Different tests will show a positive result in unique ways. Read the directions that come with the test to know what a positive result will look like. For example, most tests have a control window that shows up first. Seeing a symbol in this window will tell you that the test is working. Keep in mind that different brands of tests will take different amounts of time to show a result. If you take a blood test, your provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to a lab. The lab will determine the amount of HCG in your blood. Your provider will contact you with your results. Advertisement
What are the different types of pregnancy tests?
There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood tests. Urine tests are typically done at home — though you can have a urine test done at your healthcare provider’s office — while your provider performs a blood test.
Are all home pregnancy testing methods the same?
Most brands of at-home pregnancy tests are reliable. Although the exact testing method of different pregnancy tests can differ from one type to the other, they all look for HCG in your body. If you’re using an at-home test, most will give you the same result. The difference with your at-home tests will be the sensitivity of the test. Some might be more sensitive than others and produce a positive result (detect HCG in your urine) sooner than others. For the most accurate reading, it’s still recommended that you wait until you’ve missed your period. At that point, all tests should be accurate. Advertisement
How long does it take to get results of a pregnancy test?
Each home pregnancy test is different. Read the instruction manual carefully. It will tell you how many minutes to wait for your result. In most cases, you can expect to wait three minutes for your result. Keep in mind that if you wait too long to check your result, it may be inaccurate. Even a faint line on a pregnancy test could mean you’re pregnant. Your test will also have a control window that indicates that you took the test correctly. The instructions with your test will outline all of this. If you have any questions or remain unsure of your result after several tests, please contact your healthcare provider. A faint line is different than an evaporation line. An evaporation line may appear if you wait too long to check your results — meaning your pee is dry. Most tests ask you to read your results before 10 minutes. This ensures the pee doesn’t dry up and you don’t get an evaporation line.
How soon will a pregnancy test be positive?
It depends on which type of test you use. Some at-home pregnancy tests may be able to detect pregnancy before you miss your period. However, if you want the most accurate result, it’s best to wait until you have missed your period.
How accurate are pregnancy tests?
Pregnancy tests are about 99% accurate when you use them correctly.
Will an ectopic pregnancy show up on a pregnancy test?
Yes, you’ll still have a positive result on a pregnancy test if you have an ectopic pregnancy. A note from Cleveland Clinic Pregnancy tests are how a person finds out if they’re pregnant. Most people take a pregnancy test at home using their pee. However, you can also take a pregnancy test at your provider’s office using a blood sample or pee. For the most accurate results, wait until you miss your period to take a home pregnancy test. If you use pregnancy tests correctly, the results are 99% accurate. Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about the results of your pregnancy test. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/28/2022. Learn more about our editorial process.
How accurate are pregnancy tests? Pregnancy tests are super accurate when you use them correctly. The pregnancy tests you get at the drugstore work 99 out of 100 times. They’re just as accurate as a urine pregnancy test that you’d get at a doctor’s office.
4 days ago · Home pregnancy tests, which work by detecting levels of hCG in your urine, are a great way to confirm that you're pregnant. For the most accurate results, it’s best to wait at least a week after your first missed period or opt for a pregnancy blood test by your healthcare provider, which can detect pregnancy earlier.
Jan 18, 2024 · Find out the best time to take a pregnancy test for accurate results with our easy-to-use Pregnancy Test Calculator.
Sep 7, 2023 · Pregnancy Test Accuracy. 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
Calculate when you can take a pregnancy test to see if you conceived this cycle, including testing early before your missed period. Calculator maps your complete cycle, showing dates when pregnancy tests can detect if you are pregnant.
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