How soon can you take a pregnancy test?

The type of test you are using needs to be your first consideration.  Two most common types of test are urine and blood tests. Some urine tests on the market claim that you can take their test before you have even missed a period.  Women who track their monthly cycles have a pretty good idea of when their period should start.  If you track your monthly period an early detection test taken a few days before you should start your period could provide you with a fairly accurate result.

Most of the tests on the market are designed to be used once you have missed your period or are at least a few days late. 

The tests use HCG levels in your urine to detect pregnancy. This is why waiting a few days after a missed period before taking the test gives you the best opportunity for a true positive, as HCG will be present in your urine if you are pregnant. If you engaged in sexual intercourse around the time you should have been ovulating, you will need to wait at least 10 to 14 days after having sex before taking a urine pregnancy test.  Even if you receive a negative test on day 14 but have still not started your period, you may want to take another test a few days later.  If you still receive a negative test result but have not started your period, you may want to consider a blood test.

For women who experience irregular periods, tracking your cycle can be much more difficult.  Since a woman who has irregular periods cannot easily track ovulation, you may need to rely on other common early pregnancy symptoms including but not limited to: nausea, breast tenderness, frequent urination and fatigue. If you experience any or all of these within two to three weeks after having sex, you may want to take a home pregnancy test.  If your tests results are negative but you continue to experience other symptoms, you may need to test again or have a blood test. A blood test provides the most accurate result.

Springfield Pregnancy Care Center provides free confidential pregnancy tests for all clients.  Since Pregnancy Care Center uses urine tests for verification, you will need to wait a few days after missing your period before coming in to take a pregnancy test.  Once your test is verified, a due date will be determined based on the date of your last menstrual period (LMP).

Call or text 417-877-0800 to set up your free appointment.