When it comes to pregnancy testing many women want to take a test
as early as possible. At the same time, they don't want to waste money
on a test just to find out they are not pregnant. Waiting for your
period to start can be nerve wracking, but staring at a big white blank
space on a pregnancy test can be just as upsetting.
Pregnancy tests have come a long way. You used to have to wait for your period to be late before you could get an accurate result on a pregnancy test but the new tests they have now are pretty darn sensitive. In fact, some of them are even more sensitive than the urine test you would take at your doctor's office. If you are like me and want to take a pregnancy test early - before your period is late - here are some rules you should follow.
Early Pregnancy Testing Rules to Follow:
Rule number 1: Know when you have ovulated. If you want to test early you really have to know when you ovulated. The best way to determine when you have ovulated is to keep a bbt chart but you can also use an ovulation prediction test to give you a good idea of when ovulation took place. The reason this is important to know your ovulation date is because if you ovulate later, your period will also be later. A late ovulation would push back the date of when you would be able to get a positive test as well.
Rule number 2: Use a sensitive name brand test like First Response Early Results or Clear Blue Easy. There are several over the counter brand pregnancy tests designed for testing early. When you purchase your pregnancy tests look carefully at the package and make sure that it says you can use it up to five days before your period is due.
Rule number 3: Don't start testing earlier than 10 days past ovulation (or at the very earliest 5 days before your period is due). Even though you want to test early, taking a test too close to ovulation will just lead to frustration. Before you can get a positive test, implantation needs to occur. Implantation generally takes place around 7 to 10 days after ovulation. Once the egg has implanted, your body will begin producing hCG. This is the hormone that pregnancy tests are looking for. Generally after implantation, it takes about 2 or 3 days before you start making enough hCG to show up on a home pregnancy test.
Rule number 4: Use first morning urine. Most of the newer pregnancy tests do not require you to use first morning urine. However, when you are testing early, first morning urine may be helpful. First morning urine is usually more concentrated and is best for early pregnancy testing.
Rule number 5: Don't read the results of a pregnancy test after the time limit. Read the manufacturer's instructions on when to read the test results. It is possible to see a faint colorless line, or an evaporation line, if you read a test after the time limit. There are two places for dye to cling to on a home pregnancy test - one is for the control line and the other is for the test line. Sometimes urine can leave a stain where the test line would have developed. This stain can sometimes be confused as a positive result.
Rule number 6: Don't get discouraged if your test comes back negative. Being an anxious and early tester may give you an early start on knowing if you are pregnant, but you are also more likely to get a negative result if you test really early. If you test negative and your period isn't late, don't worry. You may have miscalculated when your period was due, ovulated later than usual, implanted late, or your urine just might not have been concentrated enough. Wait a couple days if you get a negative test and try again.
Pregnancy tests have come a long way. You used to have to wait for your period to be late before you could get an accurate result on a pregnancy test but the new tests they have now are pretty darn sensitive. In fact, some of them are even more sensitive than the urine test you would take at your doctor's office. If you are like me and want to take a pregnancy test early - before your period is late - here are some rules you should follow.
Early Pregnancy Testing Rules to Follow:
Rule number 1: Know when you have ovulated. If you want to test early you really have to know when you ovulated. The best way to determine when you have ovulated is to keep a bbt chart but you can also use an ovulation prediction test to give you a good idea of when ovulation took place. The reason this is important to know your ovulation date is because if you ovulate later, your period will also be later. A late ovulation would push back the date of when you would be able to get a positive test as well.
Rule number 2: Use a sensitive name brand test like First Response Early Results or Clear Blue Easy. There are several over the counter brand pregnancy tests designed for testing early. When you purchase your pregnancy tests look carefully at the package and make sure that it says you can use it up to five days before your period is due.
Rule number 3: Don't start testing earlier than 10 days past ovulation (or at the very earliest 5 days before your period is due). Even though you want to test early, taking a test too close to ovulation will just lead to frustration. Before you can get a positive test, implantation needs to occur. Implantation generally takes place around 7 to 10 days after ovulation. Once the egg has implanted, your body will begin producing hCG. This is the hormone that pregnancy tests are looking for. Generally after implantation, it takes about 2 or 3 days before you start making enough hCG to show up on a home pregnancy test.
Rule number 4: Use first morning urine. Most of the newer pregnancy tests do not require you to use first morning urine. However, when you are testing early, first morning urine may be helpful. First morning urine is usually more concentrated and is best for early pregnancy testing.
Rule number 5: Don't read the results of a pregnancy test after the time limit. Read the manufacturer's instructions on when to read the test results. It is possible to see a faint colorless line, or an evaporation line, if you read a test after the time limit. There are two places for dye to cling to on a home pregnancy test - one is for the control line and the other is for the test line. Sometimes urine can leave a stain where the test line would have developed. This stain can sometimes be confused as a positive result.
Rule number 6: Don't get discouraged if your test comes back negative. Being an anxious and early tester may give you an early start on knowing if you are pregnant, but you are also more likely to get a negative result if you test really early. If you test negative and your period isn't late, don't worry. You may have miscalculated when your period was due, ovulated later than usual, implanted late, or your urine just might not have been concentrated enough. Wait a couple days if you get a negative test and try again.
Patty Hone is a wife and mother to four kids. She is also the cofounder of JustMommies.com. For more information on pregnancy visit JustMommies.com. Also see our baby names data base for help choosing the perfect name for your baby.
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