Hoping · Testing
Two little lines.
The wait feels endless, and the hope is everywhere. Here's when a home pregnancy test gives you the clearest answer, how to read it, and what to do next.
You've counted the days more times than you can admit. You've noticed every twinge and wondered about every yawn. And now there's a little box on the bathroom shelf holding the biggest question of your life. Whether this is your first month of hoping or one of many, whether your path runs through a fertility clinic, a partner, a donor or a long road you've walked on your own, this moment is yours. It's full of hope.
A little timing and a few simple habits can help that test give you the clearest answer it can. Here's what to know.
How the test knows
Home pregnancy tests look for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in your urine. It's made by the placenta as it begins to form, after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. That happens about 6 to 10 days after conception.
In early pregnancy, hCG rises quickly, roughly doubling every 2 to 3 days. That's why timing matters so much. A test taken a few days later may catch what a test taken too soon could miss. Used correctly, home tests are about 99% accurate.
The best time to test
It's so tempting to test early, and some tests say they can detect pregnancy before a missed period. But results are more likely to be accurate after the first day of your missed period. Waiting a day or two longer raises the chance of a positive result if you are pregnant.
For the most reliable answer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests testing 1 to 2 weeks after your missed period. That's because 10 to 20 pregnant women out of every 100 won't see a positive on the very first day of their missed period. The hormone is there, it just hasn't built up enough yet.
If your cycles are irregular, it can be harder to know when your period is late. Ovulation and implantation don't always follow the calendar, so be gentle with yourself and give the test a little extra time.
First thing in the morning
Your first morning urine is the most concentrated of the day, so it holds the most hCG. That makes it the best sample, especially early on.
If you test later in the day, try to wait until urine has been in your bladder for at least three hours. Skip the big glass of water right before, since lots of fluid can dilute the hormone.
Reading your result
Before you start, check the expiration date and read the directions, since every test is a little different. Then:
- Set a timer. Wait the full time listed in the directions. Reading too early can give the wrong answer.
- Read it within the window. Most instructions give a time limit. A line that shows up long after can be an evaporation line, which is different from a true result.
- Look for the control line. It shows the test worked. If it doesn't appear, the test isn't working, so try another one.
A faint line still counts
A line that appears in the result window, whether bold or barely there, means the result is positive. Positive results are more likely to be true than negative ones.
If it says not yet
A negative result can mean you're not pregnant, or it can mean you tested a little too soon. Testing too early is the most common reason a test misses a pregnancy. So if your period still hasn't come, test again in a few days or a week.
If you've had two negative tests and still think you might be pregnant, or your period still doesn't come, call your doctor or midwife. A blood test is a little more sensitive, and a missed period can have other causes worth checking.
If you're taking fertility medicine that contains hCG, it can affect a home test. Your care team can tell you when and how to test, or they may plan a blood test for you.
Two little lines
Maybe you'll sit on the edge of the tub and read it three times. Maybe you'll laugh, or cry, or both. Maybe you'll run to share it, or hold it close for a while. However it arrives, that moment is the very first page of a brand new story.
After a positive test
Call your doctor or midwife to make your first appointment. It may be a few weeks away, and that's normal. A blood test or ultrasound can confirm the pregnancy, and the sooner it's confirmed, the sooner your prenatal care can begin.
In the meantime, if you're not already taking one, start a prenatal vitamin with folic acid. If you have questions about your results, or you're unsure after more than one test, reach out to your provider. They're glad to help you.
Here's to your hope, Mama, and to the sweet news that's on its way.
How far along you are, and the little wonders happening this week.
Where this comes from
This article draws on guidance from the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Office on Women's Health. It's here to help, not to replace your own doctor, midwife or pediatrician. If you have questions, ask them.
- Pregnancy Test: When To Take, Types & Accuracy, Cleveland Clinic
- Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?, Mayo Clinic
- Pregnancy, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Knowing if you are pregnant, Office on Women's Health