When should I take a pregnancy test?
Home pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that is only produced after a fertilised egg implants in the uterus. Implantation usually happens 6 to 12 days after ovulation, and hCG then needs a few days to rise to a level a urine test can detect. That is why:
- The most reliable day to test is the day your period is due (or later).
- The earliest possible day is roughly 10 days after ovulation, with a sensitive “early result” test — but many pregnancies will not show positive that early.
Best test day = expected period = ovulation + 14 days
How to get the most accurate result
- For early testing, use your first urine of the morning, when hCG is most concentrated.
- Follow the instructions for how long to wait before reading the result.
- A negative result before your period is due is not conclusive. If your period does not arrive, test again two or three days later.
- A blood test arranged by a healthcare professional can detect hCG earlier and measure the exact level; see the hCG Calculator for comparing two results.
After IVF or IUI
After fertility treatment, follow your clinic’s instructions for testing. Trigger injections used in many cycles contain hCG and can cause a false positive on a home test for several days. Clinics usually arrange a blood test around 9–14 days after an embryo transfer or IUI.
If the test is positive
Congratulations — contact a healthcare professional to arrange your first appointment, and use the Due Date Calculator to estimate your due date from the first day of your last period.