When can you take a pregnancy test?
When can you take a pregnancy test? What is an Early Pregnancy Test? And what if the test remains negative? Read all about it here.
Pregnant?
If you don't have your period, you may be pregnant. Even if you experience symptoms such as more sensitive breasts, nausea and fatigue.
When can you do a pregnancy test?
A pregnancy test is a commonly used tool to determine if someone is pregnant. It is a simple and reliable method of confirming pregnancy. A pregnancy test tests for the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG in urine. This hormone is produced by the placenta after implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine wall.
You can usually take a regular pregnancy test after you miss the first day of your period. This usually happens about two weeks after conception. A regular pregnancy test is designed to detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG in urine, which usually appears in the body on the day of the missed period. If you want a reliable result, it is best to take the test after you have missed your period.
If a pregnancy test is positive, we recommend that you contact a midwife within a few days. You do not need to see a doctor for this.
Early pregnancy test
An early pregnancy test is more sensitive and can detect the hCG even before the period is missed. This allows an early pregnancy test to give earlier and more accurate results, usually from 5 days before the menstrual date. You also perform this test with urine.
Which pregnancy test is the best?
There are several reliable and accurate pregnancy tests available on the market and the best test may vary depending on individual preferences and needs. They are all equally reliable and more expensive is not necessarily better.
- Urine Strip Test: These are the most common and affordable types of pregnancy tests. You hold the strip in a urine sample or drop a few drops on it, and within a few minutes you read the result by counting the number of lines that become visible.
- Digital Test: Digital pregnancy tests show the results after coming into contact with urine. You can read “pregnant” or “not pregnant” on a digital screen. Digital tests are generally a bit more expensive.
- Early Pregnancy Test: Some pregnancy tests can detect a pregnancy earlier than others, often several days before the expected period. This is because they are more sensitive to lower concentrations of hCG. The hCG is also measured in urine.
Know that the accuracy of a pregnancy test depends on following the instructions correctly and taking the test at the right time. So always read the package leaflet and know the best time of day to perform the test, how long you have to wait for the result and how to read the display.
Disappointed after a negative pregnancy test
A negative pregnancy test can be disappointing and discouraging, but it's important to remember that it's just a snapshot in your journey to (new) parenthood. It may take time and patience to conceive, but don't give up. On average, it takes 3-12 months to get pregnant. Everything in between is normal. Are you still not pregnant after a year? Then contact a gynaecologist. And meanwhile:
- Be kind to yourself: It's perfectly normal to feel sad, frustrated, or discouraged after a negative test. Give yourself space to experience those emotions.
- Stay positive: Remember that a negative test result does not mean you will never get pregnant. Each cycle offers new opportunities, and it may just take a little more time. Have faith in yourself and your body.
- Seek support: share your feelings with your partner, a close friend or family member you trust. Talking about your experiences and emotions can provide relief. If you don't feel comfortable talking to someone close to you, consider joining an online group of women who are in a similar situation.
- Take care of yourself: both physically and emotionally. Listen to your body, eat a varied and healthy diet, exercise and get enough sleep and stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Schedule moments for yourself that help you relax and unwind. Avoid stress. Tip: the quality of the sperm increases if your partner also stops smoking and drinking and if ejaculation takes place 3-4 times a week.
Would you like more information about becoming pregnant in a healthy way? Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our midwives for the "child wish consultation hour" (covered by the Dutch basic insurance).
