How long should i take pregnancy test after missed period

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01/5All you need to know about pregnancy tests

Whether it comes as a surprise or you have spent months trying to conceive, taking a pregnancy test is a crucial step that can be very stressful for women. Whatever be the outcome, taking pregnancy test is one of the earliest measures you take to settle your doubts. However, knowing the right time or the day to take a pregnancy test goes one step further to clarify doubts. Here's a brief explainer:

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02/5When should you take a test?

Usually, a missed or a delayed period is the first mark that makes you rush out to get a pregnancy test. However, you should always wait for a certain time before you take a test. Taking a test one or two weeks after you have had sex or ten days after you missed your periods is the right time to confirm your doubts. The reason the waiting time is important is that for the pregnancy to be confirmed, an essential pregnancy hormone, hCG needs to be detected and this usually happens 7-12 days after the egg gets fertilized and the implantation cycle is complete. Once this happens, the hormones start to double up, every 48 hours and ensure the correct outcome on the test.

Otherwise, even if you take the test at an earlier time, it can lead to negative results, even if you are pregnant as hCG levels won't be properly matched.

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03/5Check for hCG levels!

Depending on the type of test you go for, you can get your results early. Some home pregnancy tests are sensitive and can detect hCG levels as early as four days before your period date.

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04/5When to take a blood pregnancy test?

What you can also do is take blood pregnancy tests, especially if you have been getting a lot of negatives on your home pregnancy tests but have reason to believe that you are pregnant. While home pregnancy tests measure the levels of hCG hormones, blood pregnancy tests are far more sensitive, accurate and check for hCG levels in the blood. Again, a good time to take a test would be several days late.

Blood pregnancy tests can also be a good option to consider for women who have experienced miscarriage, pregnancy complications or health risks in the past. This way, the most crucial first weeks of your pregnancy will be closely observed.

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05/5What is the best time to take a test?

Much like the day, the time of the day is also a hotly debated topic. According to experts, pregnancy tests will be the most accurate if taken in the morning, on your first pee. This is because as compared to night time, morning pee has a higher concentration of hCG hormones.

Unlike other urine tests, it is not important that you drink more water than usual. Doing so can dilute your urine, alter results and make it more likely to get to see false-positives on the test.

Goes without saying, if you see a negative result or observe false positives, you can repeat the test.

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How long should i take pregnancy test after missed period

The decision of when to take the pregnancy test after a missed period can be a major source of anxiety. Simply because sometimes, you want to be pregnant and sometimes you don’t.

However, in case of a missed period, it’s important to take the pregnancy test at the right time so that you can prepare yourself and make a final decision about your pregnancy.

  • When To Take The Pregnancy Test?
  • How To Test Pregnancy?
  • What Is The Best Time To Take Pregnancy Test?
  • Overview

When To Take The Pregnancy Test?

You can take a pregnancy test as soon as you miss your period or if your period is late. You can know the date of your missed period if your periods are regular. 

Also, if your periods are irregular or you don’t have periods for certain reasons, you can take the pregnancy test after 3 weeks of your sexual intercourse.

You can also take the pregnancy test if you experience early pregnancy symptoms that may include the following:-

  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Mood Swings
  • Metallic Taste
  • Breast Tenderness
  • Frequent Urination
  • Sensitivity To Smell
  • Slight Morning Nausea
  • Food Cravings Or Aversions
  • Mild Cramp (Also Called Implantation Cramps)
  • Very Light Spotting (Also Called Implantation Spotting)

Depending on whether a positive pregnancy test would be good or bad news, these symptoms may fill you with excitement or dread.

You should also keep in mind that the above-mentioned symptoms don’t guarantee pregnancy as they can also be caused due to other things such as cold, flu, or a few nights of poor sleep.

Usually, the doctors recommend taking the pregnancy test as soon as possible if you miss the period or if you think you might be pregnant.

Knowing about your pregnancy in the early stage helps you plan accordingly.

How To Test Pregnancy?

There are mainly two types of pregnancy tests – known as Blood and Urine Tests. A blood test is done at the clinic by the healthcare provider.

However, Urine Test is done at the home – though you can also have a urine test done at a clinic.

Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) that is produced in early pregnancy.

The production of hCG begins slowly and increases as the pregnancy grows. A pregnancy test detects the hCG level when it reaches 20-50 milliunits/milliliters.

What Is The Best Time To Take Pregnancy Test?

Morning is considered the perfect time to take the pregnancy test. This time is best especially if your period is not late or if it’s late by just a couple of days.

A home pregnancy test works by detecting the hCG hormone in your urine. Unless you get up in the night and pee often or drink water throughout the night, your urine is more concentrated in the morning when you wake up. 

This means that the amount of hCG is a bit more, and you are likely to get a pregnancy positive result if you are pregnant.

However, you can take the pregnancy test any time of the day – be it the middle of the day or night. In this scenario, you are more likely to get a false negative result, especially if your period is not that late or if you have consumed a lot of water and your urine is diluted.

Overview

Even if you are using birth control methods to prevent pregnancy, there is a high chance of error. So f you miss your period or experience symptoms of early pregnancy such as cramps and breast soreness, you should take the pregnancy test as this is the perfect time to do that.