When to Take a Pregnancy Test
Testing too early can give a false negative. Find the earliest day a sensitive test might work, and the day you'll get a reliable answer.
Keep your dates in Prego: a daily countdown, your baby's size each week and a checklist for every trimester.
How pregnancy tests work
Home tests detect hCG, a hormone your body starts making once an embryo implants, about 6 to 12 days after ovulation. hCG roughly doubles every two to three days in early pregnancy, so the longer you wait, the more reliable the result.
For most people, the best time to test is from the first day of your missed period, using your first pee of the morning, when hCG is most concentrated. Some sensitive tests can pick up a pregnancy a few days earlier, but a negative result before your period is due doesn't rule it out.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after sex can I take a pregnancy test?
At the very earliest about 10 days, but for a reliable result wait until your period is late, or about 3 weeks after sex if you don't know when it is due.
Can a pregnancy test be wrong?
False negatives are common if you test too early or use diluted urine. False positives are rare. If you get a negative but your period still hasn't come, test again in a few days.
What time of day should I test?
First thing in the morning, when your urine is most concentrated. Later in pregnancy it doesn't matter as much.
Estimates only. Your doctor or midwife may give you different dates or targets.