When To Take A Pregnancy Test After Missed Period?

The earliest and the most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period. But, that said, missed period doesn’t always mean you are pregnant. There could be different reasons for missing periods. However, if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse recently, it’s important to get a pregnancy test to rule out the possibility of pregnancy.

Taking a pregnancy test can bring about a mix of emotions—excitement, apprehension, and nervousness. But, when you miss your period, it’s important to get a pregnancy test. You can take an at-home pregnancy test and then follow up with a detailed blood test if pregnancy is confirmed. If you are confused about when to take a pregnancy test after a missed period, refer to our guide.

How Soon Can I Take a Pregnancy Test?

As discussed, missed periods are normally the first sign of pregnancy. But that doesn’t mean you rush to a drugstore to get an at-home pregnancy kit if you are a few days late. You need to wait for at least two weeks before taking a pregnancy test after a missed period. This is because, the body starts generating Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone, in your urine, 6 days after fertilisation. Therefore, if you take a pregnancy test immediately after missing periods, you will get a false positive.

So, the next time you are planning to have a baby and confused about when to take a pregnancy test after a missed period, remember that it’s important to wait at least two-weeks after missed periods for accurate results.

Furthermore, it’s important to note that missed periods is not the only sign for pregnancy. You may notice fatigue, headaches, mood swings, metallic taste, breast tenderness, frequent urination, heightened sensitivity to smell, slight morning nausea, food cravings or aversions, mild cramping (often termed implantation cramps), or very light spotting (known as implantation spotting). These signs are early symptoms of pregnancy. But none of these symptoms are definitive indicators of pregnancy, as they can also be caused by a cold, flu, or other illnesses. Therefore, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider or gynaecology clinic if you suspect pregnancy.

Now that you know, when to take a pregnancy test after a missed period, let’s understand different types of pregnancy tests in detail.

READ: Tips to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy and Delivery

Understanding Different Types of Pregnancy Tests

If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, you can either take an at-home pregnancy test that measures the amount of pregnancy hormone (referred to as hCG) in urine or a blood test that measures the amount of hCG in blood. Blood tests are conducted by healthcare providers in clinics, and urine tests can be done at home or in a clinic setting.

These pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced in the early stages of pregnancy. Initially, hCG production is gradual and increases as the pregnancy progresses. The pregnancy test identifies hCG levels once they reach between 20-50 milliliters. That’s why it’s recommended to wait for at least two weeks before taking a pregnancy test.

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. During early pregnancy, hCG levels rise rapidly. These levels can be initially detected in your blood and later in your urine, making either type of pregnancy test effective for confirming pregnancy. Your doctor may analyse your blood test to determine the exact hCG levels present.

In some women, hCG levels nearly double every 48 to 72 hours during the first eight to 10 weeks of pregnancy. However, it's important to note that hCG levels can vary widely, and the rate of increase can differ. Therefore, if you have doubts regarding your hCG levels, immediately consult your healthcare provider.

When is the Best Time to Take a Pregnancy Test—Morning, Afternoon, or Evening?

Taking a test for pregnancy after missed periods is the norm. But it’s important to choose the right time—morning, afternoon, or evening—for taking the pregnancy test. Experts recommend taking a urine test first thing in the morning, with your first urine of the day. This advice holds some truth because your urine might be more concentrated at that time. Moreover, your first urine sample will help detect lower levels of hCG, which might be missed in a more diluted sample later in the day after you've had more fluids. Thus, avoiding the possibility of errors.

However, it's not crucial to stress over the timing of your pregnancy test. Experts suggest that using urine later in the day, when it's less concentrated, might delay a positive result by only 12 to 24 hours. This means you can take a urine test again after 24 hours for accurate results.

What are Some Early Signs of Pregnancy?

Besides a missed period, here are some of the most common early signs of pregnancy:

1. Increased urination: During pregnancy, your body produces more blood, which means your kidneys filter more waste. This leads to more frequent urination.
2. Fatigue: Feeling extremely tired early in pregnancy is common due to elevated levels of the hormone progesterone.
3. Nausea: You might start feeling nauseous as early as two weeks into pregnancy. You might just feel nauseous without actually vomiting. But, some pregnant women might experience vomiting as well.
4. Tender and swollen breasts: This sensation may resemble how your breasts feel before your period. You might also notice they've become larger.

Conclusion

Always remember that there’s no guaranteed method to avoid pregnancy. Despite consistent use of birth control methods, you might still get pregnant. Therefore, take a pregnancy test after a missed period or if you notice symptoms like cramps and breast soreness. Taking a pregnancy test not only helps you determine whether you are pregnant or not, but it also helps you get clarity about your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How Soon Will a Pregnancy Test Read Positive?

You could have a positive result as soon as 10 days after conception. However, for greater accuracy, it’s recommended to wait for at least two weeks after you have missed your periods.

2. How Long Does It Take for hCG to Show Up in Urine?

hCG is a pregnancy hormone. It begins to appear shortly after fertilisation. If you are pregnant, your hCG levels will increase rapidly. Normally, hCG levels can be detected in your urine 12-15 days after fertilisation.

3. How Accurate are At-Home Pregnancy Tests?

At-home pregnancy tests are generally considered to be 99% accurate when used correctly and not taken too early.

4. How Long Does It Take to Get Results?

Typically, at-home pregnancy tests take about three to five minutes to show results. However, this time may differ from test to test. Therefore, read the instructions carefully for more information. Meanwhile, it will take at least a couple of days to receive the results of a blood pregnancy test.