Can I Take A Pregnancy Test At Night
If nighttime has come, and you think you might be pregnant, wanting to know a more definite answer may be enough to keep you awake. Like a small child on the night before a big event, it may just seem like too long to wait until the morning!
If you already have a pregnancy test at your home , you may be wondering if you should just go ahead and take the pregnancy test now.
You may have heard that its best to take a pregnancy test in the morning, but is that even true?
Well, wonder no longer, because weve got all the answers youre seeking about the best times to take an at-home pregnancy test and what to know if you get a positive or negative result.
The Best Time Of Day To Test
The wait to take a pregnancy test can be excruciating. But some good news is that the moment you hit the right time in your cycle, you can take it the first thing that morning. In fact, thats preferable.;
You want to take a pregnancy test just after you wake up and when you haven’t used the restroom in a while. This is when your urine is the most concentrated, with the highest hCG levels. If you are a shift worker, take the test after you wake up to begin your day, or when you havent peed in a handful of hours.;
How Do Home Pregnancy Test Kits Work
To start by talking about how a home pregnancy test kit works, you need to understand the very basics of early pregnancy. Once a sperm and egg meet, they begin to rapidly transform into a blastocyst, a small cluster of cells. These cells continue to divide and make more cells, though it takes close to two weeks for the body to even know that any of this is happening. When your body senses the pregnancy,;your period is canceled and doesn’t start.
The pregnancy will begin to produce a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin . This is the pregnancy hormone, and it is what a pregnancy test is looking for to say whether or not you are pregnant. Home pregnancy tests look for hCG in your urine, as the hormone is excreted or passed when you use the bathroom. At first, this happens in very small quantities, but the further along in pregnancy you are, the more hCG can be detected.1
Most home pregnancy test kits work by having a slip of paper that reacts by changing color when hCG is present. Or in the case of digital pregnancy tests, when hCG is present, the “pregnant” sign lights up, but it’s still doing so because the pregnancy test detected hCG.
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How To Use A Pregnancy Test Kit
Here are the steps to use a pregnancy test:
- First, remove the plastic cap so that the absorbent window can be seen.
- Point the absorbent tip directly into the urine stream .
- If you are peeing directly into the testing device, keep it for at least 7-10 seconds to ensure that an adequate sample is collected.
- If you are using a container, collect the urine into a clean container and dip half of the absorbent pad for at least 10 seconds.
- Re-cap the device and place it horizontally on a flat surface.
- Wait 5 minutes for the test to finish processing.
- Depending on the type of pregnancy test kit, it’ll show changes such as a change in colour,
- a line, a symbol such as plus or minus, or the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant.”
When Is The Best Time To Take Pregnancy Test After Missed Period
A missed period is the sign most women consider taking a pregnancy test. But you need to know that taking a pregnancy test right after a missed period doesnt guarantee accurate results.
Most pregnancy tests claim 99% accurate results after the day of missed period. But even at this point, some women may not have enough hCG.
Best time to take the pregnancy test after a missed period is about two weeks later. This is the best time to get the highest accuracy.
Your body needs time to produce hCG. The expected hCG levels reach after two weeks from missed period. This happens in most of the cases.
We are not saying that pregnancy tests earlier than that are not accurate. It is just that chances of getting an accurate pregnancy test are maximum after two weeks.
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If Your Test Result Is Negative
If the home pregnancy test gives you a negative result, but you do not get your period, you should retest in 3 to 5 days. If you ovulated later in your cycle or did not properly calculate your ovulation date,;you may have taken the pregnancy test too soon to receive a positive test result.
Since the amount of hCG increases rapidly when you are pregnant, you may end up with a positive test just a few days after a negative one. This is why some home;pregnancy test kits come with more than one testso you have another one to re-test with.
If you took your test fewer than 7 days after your missed period, do not automatically believe that a negative test result means that you are not pregnant. You may have taken the home pregnancy test too soon. Wait another week. If by that time you still have not gotten your period and are still getting a negative test result, you should make an appointment with your doctor to figure out if something may be going on.
What Is A Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test is a way to determine if youre pregnant by looking at the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in your body. From the very beginning of pregnancy, your body starts to go through changes to support growth in the grouping of cells that will develop into your baby. One thing that happens very quickly is production of hCG. This chemical is only found in pregnant women and it starts to build up once the fertilized egg implants in the uterus about 10 days after conception.
There are two main types of pregnancy tests urine tests and blood tests. Often, youll take a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test kit. This type of test can be purchased over-the-counter and is available in a variety of price ranges. Blood tests to check for pregnancy are done in your healthcare providers office.
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I Got A Negative Pregnancy Testcould I Still Be Pregnant
Yes! Home pregnancy tests can give false negative results . As Dr. Roshan explains, a woman’s hCG level doubles every 48 to 72 hours, so if you really are pregnant, it won’t be negative for long. Take another test in a few daysor around a week after your missed periodand you can trust the results.
You should also take a pregnancy test if you notice early pregnancy symptoms, which include breast tenderness, mild cramping, implantation bleeding , fatigue, and slight nausea.
Can You Get A False Positive Pregnancy Test What About A False Negative Pregnancy Test
Yes, you can get both a false positive pregnancy test and a false negative. But false positives are much less common than false negatives. So if your home pregnancy test is positive, it’s likely that you’re pregnant.
If you get a false negative pregnancy test result, it’s likely either because you’ve taken the test too early or you haven’t taken it correctly as outlined on the label.
It is possible to get a false positive result on an early pregnancy test before a subsequent test comes back negative. In some cases, that’s because very early testing detected;a chemical pregnancy an egg that was fertilized but for some reason never implanted. These very early miscarriages are actually extremely common, accounting for around 3 in 4 of all pregnancy losses .
If it turns out that you likely have experienced a very early pregnancy loss, its natural to feel confused or upset. Knowing the odds are in your favor to conceive again and give birth to a healthy baby can help. No matter what,;its always best to see your medical practitioner to get a more definitive pregnancy test result.;
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Youre Not Pregnant: Evaporation Line
Taking a home pregnancy test and getting a faint positive line doesnt always mean youre pregnant. Sometimes, what appears to be a positive line is actually an evaporation line. These misleading lines can appear in the results window as urine evaporates from the stick. If a faint evaporation line develops on your home pregnancy test, you may mistakenly think that youre pregnant.
It can be hard to determine whether a faint line is a positive result or an evaporation line. The primary difference is that evaporation lines appear in the test window several minutes after the recommended time for checking the test results.
If you take a home pregnancy test, its important to read and carefully follow the instructions. The package will let you know when to check your test results, which can be within three to five minutes, depending on the manufacturer.
If you check your results within the recommended time frame and see a faint positive line, youre most likely pregnant. On the other hand, if you miss the window for checking the results and you dont check the test until 10 minutes later, a faint line may be an evaporation line, which means youre not pregnant.
It also helps to take the home pregnancy test first thing in the morning. The less diluted your urine, the better. Make sure you check the results within the appropriate time frame to avoid confusing an evaporation line with a positive line.
What Are The Advantages Of Using A Home Pregnancy Test
There are quite a few advantages to using a home pregnancy test, including:
- Pregnancy tests are inexpensive.
- Theyre easy to use.
- Home tests provide results quickly.
According to pregnancy kit manufacturers, most at-home pregnancy tests are 97% to 99% accurate when you use them as instructed. Positive results can be trusted, but you can get a falsely negative result very early in pregnancy.
Blood tests tend to be more expensive and, for many women, the wait for an appointment can be difficult. Home tests allow you to quickly know if youre pregnant shortly after conception.
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Signs You Should Take A Pregnancy Test; How To Use And Can Pregnancy Test Kit Results Go Wrong
Waiting to know whether you are entering a new phase of your life will be exciting and, at the same time, stressful. When there are theories that give you information about when to take a pregnancy test, doctors add that every woman is different. The time of ovulation, fertilisation and implantation may differ among women.
Experts state that a woman should take a test from the first day of her missed period. If she is uncertain of the due date of the next period, she can do a pregnancy test within three weeks, that is, 21 days, after unprotected sex .
Most women prefer to do a home pregnancy test, which is easier and economical. Another factor that makes women choose home pregnancy kits is the privacy offered by the test as it can be done in your room. But, to get a reliable result, you should know how to take the home pregnancy test .
Here, we will discuss those indications of your body that will let you know when to take a pregnancy test.
When Is The Best Time Of Day To Take A Pregnancy Test
Early morning urine has a high concentration of hCG. This is because overnight when you dont urinate it gets concentrated.
If the hCG levels of urine will be high, even a less sensitive pregnancy test will detect pregnancy.
The pregnancy test needs to saturate with enough hCG. When the urine has less water and more hCG it will easily react with the pregnancy test dye.
The best time to take a;pregnancy test is just when you have an hCG rich urine.;
Women who work might not have a time slot in morning to patiently take the pregnancy test. For them, in fact, taking a pregnancy test during morning rush hours can be a bad idea.
They may not follow the instructions or miss out on them. Being patient for results to develop is equally important.
For a working woman, the best time to take the pregnancy test is night or evening. But the an early morning urine sample is needed for the test.
In the case of early pregnancy using early morning urine makes detecting pregnancy more probable.
Early morning urine also reduces the chance of getting a false negative pregnancy test.
A false negative pregnancy test is when you are pregnant and yet you get a negative pregnancy test.
It is very important to take the pregnancy test at the best time to avoid disappointment. Getting a negative pregnancy test due to incorrect timing is a regretful mistake.
Most women get impatient and in anxiety take the pregnancy test before the right time. This causes a false negative pregnancy test.
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Taking A Pregnancy Test At Night
All home pregnancy tests are designed to detect hCG, but there are certain times of the day when its more readily detectable.
Take Note
However, no one can stop you from taking a home pregnancy test at night. If you really cant wait until morning, go ahead and take one.
The only issue is it might be inaccurate.
If the test comes back positive at night, then you are most likely pregnant, as it is pretty rare to get a false-positive result . A false positive is a positive pregnancy test when you are actually not pregnant.
False positives are usually the result of an ectopic pregnancy, early miscarriage, fertility drugs, or user error .
If your test comes back negative, just try again in the morning. You may get a different result with your first morning urine, as there may have been too little of the hCG hormone in your urine at night to trigger a positive result.
Pay attention to the fine print on the pregnancy test pamphlet. When it says its 99 percent accurate, it doesnt mean its this accurate before you expect your period but only after you already have missed your period.
What Should I Do With The Results Of A Pregnancy Test
If you have a positive pregnancy test, you will want to;schedule an appointment with the doctor or midwife of your choice. They will guide you further in how to care for your pregnancy. They will also be the person with whom you can share concerns or ask questions, even prior to your appointment.
Many women are surprised at how long it seems to take to get in to see a doctor or midwife in early pregnancy. This is not uncommon. It can be normal to not be seen until after you would normally be eight weeks pregnant or have missed a second period. If this concerns you, speak up. Perhaps you have a medical concern that needs to be addressed sooner. Don’t hesitate to ask for something different. If you aren’t being heard, consider looking elsewhere for your care. Most offices offer, at the very least, a nurse call line.
If your;pregnancy test was negative, you will want to wait and repeat it. Most pregnancy test kit instructions recommend waiting at least a week to repeat the test. If the test is still negative, you will want to schedule an appointment for a physical exam. There may be any number of reasons why your pregnancy test is negative and you haven’t started your period.
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How Accurate Are Pregnancy Tests
It depends on when and how you use them, but some pregnancy tests claim to be up to 99 percent accurate if you follow the instructions; although experts say in reality accuracy is closer to 75 percent. A few factors that determine how accurate your home pregnancy test will be:
- When you take the pregnancy test.;Some tests can give an accurate read days before you miss your period. But if you wait until the day your period is supposed to start at which point your body is producing enough hCG for the test to more accurately detect it you have a 90 percent chance of the correct result.;
- When the embryo implants.;In 10 percent of women, implantation doesn’t occur until the first day of their missed period, which means they might not get an accurate reading even until they wait until a day or two after they miss their periods. So with every additional day you wait, there’s a better chance you’ll have hCG in your system, and the home pregnancy test gets more accurate.
- How concentrated your urine is.;Pregnancy tests used to recommend using your first pee of the morning, when more hCG is present. But now they’re sensitive enough that that’s not necessary, although it does help if you’re taking the test early. Similarly, drinking too much liquid beforehand could dilute your urine and affect the results.
When To See A Doctor
Anyone with questions about pregnancy or their test results should contact a healthcare professional. If a home pregnancy test result is positive, a doctor can confirm this with a clinical test. Next, it is important to make a prenatal care plan with the doctor, and this should include checkups throughout the pregnancy.
If a home pregnancy test result is negative, but periods do not resume, contact a healthcare professional to identify the cause of the missed periods.
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