Test about 10 to 14 days after ovulation, or on the day of your missed period, for the most accurate result.
Timing
Implantation occurs 6 to 12 days after ovulation. The pregnancy hormone hCG then rises, doubling every 48 to 72 hours.
When to test
For the most accurate result, test on the first day of your missed period, or about 14 days after ovulation. Early tests can detect hCG 10 days after ovulation but are less reliable.
Sensitivity
Early-result tests detect about 10 to 25 mIU/mL of hCG.
Tips
Use first morning urine. Follow the package instructions.
Negative but period late
Test again after 2 to 3 days.
Blood test
Your doctor can detect hCG earlier and give a number.
Next steps
If positive, contact your provider.
Implantation timeline
Fertilization happens in the fallopian tube within about a day of ovulation. The embryo travels to the uterus over 5 to 6 days and implants in the lining 6 to 12 days after ovulation, most often 8 to 10 days. After implantation, the placenta cells begin making human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone that pregnancy tests detect.
When hCG becomes detectable
Blood tests can detect hCG about 1 to 2 days after implantation, around 7 to 11 days after ovulation. Urine tests need slightly more time. hCG levels roughly double every 48 to 72 hours in early pregnancy. Typical levels are about 5 to 50 mIU/mL at 3 weeks of gestational age, and thousands by 5 to 6 weeks.
Best time to test
For the most accurate home result, test on the first day of the missed period, or about 14 days after ovulation. Testing earlier is possible but gives more false negatives. Use first morning urine, which is the most concentrated. Studies of early detection tests show around 99% accuracy on the day of the missed period, but lower accuracy a few days before.
Sensitivity of tests
Tests are labeled by sensitivity, such as 10, 20 or 25 mIU/mL. Lower numbers detect lower hCG levels. Some early tests claim detection 6 days before a missed period, but only a minority of pregnancies show positive that early.
Negative but period late
Retest in 3 to 7 days if your period does not start. Late ovulation, irregular cycles, and diluted urine can cause negative results. A blood test at a doctor’s office can detect lower levels and gives the exact value.
Blood tests
A qualitative test says yes or no. A quantitative test (beta hCG) gives the number, and doctors repeat it after 48 hours to see whether it is rising normally. A rise of at least 35% to 50% in 48 hours is expected in early pregnancy, though levels vary.
Tips
- Follow the test instructions on timing exactly.
- Do not drink large amounts of fluid before testing.
- Check the expiration date.
- A faint line still counts as positive on most tests.
Next steps
After a positive test, call a healthcare provider to schedule a first prenatal visit, usually at 8 weeks. Start a daily 400 microgram folic acid supplement if you have not already.
Test types and accuracy
Home urine pregnancy tests detect the hormone hCG. Many tests report 99 percent accuracy when used on or after the day of a missed period. hCG levels roughly double every 48 to 72 hours in early pregnancy, so a test taken a few days later is more likely to be positive. Implantation happens about 6 to 12 days after ovulation, and hCG becomes detectable in blood about 7 to 11 days after conception. Blood tests can detect pregnancy slightly earlier than urine tests. First morning urine has the highest hCG concentration. A faint line on a test is usually positive, and a repeat test after 48 hours confirms the trend.
Based on data from ACOG and the FDA
