When is the Earliest You Can Take a Pregnancy Test?

If your period is late or you’ve had a missed period, it makes sense that you’d want answers right away. A pregnancy test can give you the answers you need to move forward with confidence.

How soon can you take a pregnancy test? And what happens next if it’s positive? Let’s walk through what to expect — and how we can help. If you think you might be pregnant and live in Columbia, MO, our team at My Life Clinic wants to help you know for sure.

When is the earliest you can take a pregnancy test?

The earliest time to take a home pregnancy test is usually on the first day of your missed period. Some sensitive tests may detect pregnancy a few days earlier, but results are more reliable if you wait until your period is due.

Most home tests can detect pregnancy 10–14 days after ovulation, or right around when you’d expect your period. That’s when the hormone hCG is high enough to be picked up in your urine.

For the most accurate result:

• Wait until the first day of your missed period

• Use your first morning urine

• Follow the instructions closely

What does a very faint line on a pregnancy test mean?

A very faint line on a pregnancy test usually indicates that you’re pregnant and in the early stages of your pregnancy. The strength of the line depends on the level of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. When you first become pregnant, these levels are low, so the line can be faint.

HCG needs time to build up in your body, and each day of early pregnancy, your body will create more hCG. As the weeks go on, you’ll have more and more hGC in your body, which will make it more likely that a pregnancy test will show as positive.

What happens if it's positive?

If you get a positive test, an ultrasound is the next step. Ultrasounds confirm:

• If the pregnancy is located in the uterus

• How far along you are

• If there’s a viable heartbeat

How You Can Be Certain You’re Pregnant or Not

In order to be certain if your period is late or you’re experiencing a pregnancy, you must take a pregnancy test followed by an ultrasound. At My Life Clinic, we offer medical-grade pregnancy tests and limited ultrasounds at no cost to our clients. To make an appointment, text our team or schedule online. We're usually able to see you the same day you reach out.

Questions for our team? Chat with a nurse M-F, 9-5 by texting 573-874-3561.

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