How and when to Take a Pregnancy Test for Accurate Results

The Ultimate Guide to Using and Reading Pregnancy Test Strips

Wondering if now is the right time to take a pregnancy test? Getting accurate results depends on timing it right and properly using pregnancy test strips. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about early pregnancy testing - from when you can test to how to interpret results.

When should you use a pregnancy test strip?

The best time to take a pregnancy test is after your missed period. However, modern pregnancy tests can detect low hCG levels in your urine and show positive results even before you miss your period. The most accurate results will be obtained 1-2 weeks after you miss your period. Test too early, and you may get a false negative result.

It's best to take the test first thing in the morning, as your urine will be more concentrated and contain higher hCG levels if you are pregnant. Avoid drinking too much liquid before taking the test, as dilute urine may not contain enough hCG to show a positive result.

How is a pregnancy test strip used?

1. Read the instructions carefully and check the expiration date.
2. Collect your urine in a clean cup. Mid-stream urine is best.
3. Remove the test strip from its wrapper and hold it by the handle end. Keep your hands off the absorbent tip. 
4. Hold the absorbent tip in your urine stream for 5 seconds to thoroughly soak it.
5. In addition, dip only the absorbent tip for 15 seconds into the urine cup.
6. On a spotless surface, lay the strip out flat.
7. Start timing once the urine is absorbed and wait for the specified time (usually 2-3 minutes) before reading the results. Do not read results after the specified duration.

How do you read a pregnancy test strip result?

1. Check for the control line - it should appear regardless of pregnancy. The test is invalid if there isn't a control line.
2. If a test line appears and is as dark or darker than the control line, the test is positive.
3. If no test line appears or it is lighter than the control line, the test is negative.
4. Any faint test line, regardless of how faint, indicates pregnancy.
5. Digital tests will display 'Pregnant' or 'Not Pregnant'.

Avoid common mistakes like reading too early or too late, deciphering 'evaporation lines', or misinterpreting if a line is lighter or darker than the control. When in doubt, retest with a new

pregnancy test after 2-3 days.

How to know if a pregnancy test strip is positive or negative?

• Positive: Control line appears, test line appears and is as dark as or darker than the control line. Even a very faint test line means positive.
• Negative: Control line appears, no test line or test line is lighter than the control line.
• Invalid: No control line appears, regardless of the test line. Retest with a new strip.
• Errors: Reading too early or too late can cause inaccurate results. Follow timing directions precisely.

Pregnancy tests measure the hCG hormone. More darkness in the test line indicates higher hCG. Positive results confirm pregnancy but your doctor can do a blood test to get quantitative hCG levels.