Pregnancy tests generally can’t detect pregnancy until at least 10 days after ovulation, and a test’s accuracy improves with each passing day. That’s because before this, the level of hCG – the hormone that your womb produces once the egg implants – is not yet significant enough that it can be detected by pregnancy tests. If you’re TTC, you might be feeling especially impatient as you wait to get a solid answer, but tracking your pregnancy tests will help let you know when to take another – and will tell Ovia when to give you that big “congratulations!”
The pregnancy test: step-by-step
Don’t worry too much about brands for pregnancy tests because they all work the same way: they detect hCG, which your body only produces during pregnancy. Just find a box that is intact and hasn’t been sitting on the shelves for a while.
Reading the instructions can be extremely helpful before running for the bathroom to start the test. When it comes to choosing the best day to test, Ovia has you covered! You will see a countdown for your best day to test right on the top of your Timeline (homescreen). Once your body releases hCG, it breaks down overnight and is detectable in your urine in its highest concentrations in the morning, so test during the first bathroom trip of the day!
- Sit on a toilet and urinate into a cup or directly on to the absorbent end of the test midstream for 5-10 seconds. If you have a dropper with your test, collect some of the urine from the cup and place the urine onto the test well.
- Wait for the results. This could take anywhere from 2-10 minutes for the full results to show up. Look to the directions for the exact time frame. Some tests recommend that you tilt the absorbent tip up for better urine travel through the hCG filter.
- If the results are positive: Call your doctor for a confirmation and your first prenatal appointment. If your results are negative: Wait another few days to test again if you have not built up enough hCG in your system for a positive result. If your second test remains negative and you have missed your period, call your doctor to discuss the results.
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Sources
- “Home Pregnancy Tests How-Tos.” Whattoexpect. What to Expect, Aug 28 2015. Web.
- “Pregnancy tests.” Womenshealth.gov. US Department of Health and Human Services, Feb 17 2017. Web.
