When should you take a pregnancy test and what should you be aware of?

If you suspect you are pregnant, it can be a time of uncertainty and questions. Your mind may be buzzing with thoughts and you probably want nothing more than a clear answer to the question: Am I pregnant?

There are several ways to answer this question: home pregnancy tests, blood tests, ultrasounds, or taking your basal body temperature.

We want to provide you with the best possible support in this unique and emotional situation, answering all your questions and helping you to overcome your uncertainties. It is important to us that you have all the information you need about a possible pregnancy.

What symptoms should you take a pregnancy test for?

If you have a regular cycle, you will probably notice quickly if your period stops. A missed period is the first and most reliable sign of a possible pregnancy (1).

However, you may mistake what is called implantation bleeding for your period. This bleeding is harmless and indicates that a fertilized egg has successfully implanted in your uterus (2). 

Implantation bleeding usually only lasts 1 to 3 days and occurs slightly earlier than your period (3). This is how you can tell the two apart.

In addition, other signs such as increased nausea, tiredness, sensitive breasts or increased discharge can also indicate pregnancy (1).

If your basal body temperature remains elevated for an extended period of time, this is also a clear sign of early pregnancy (4).

If you notice any of these signs and are unsure, it is always better to take the test to get clarity.

How does a home pregnancy test work?

A home pregnancy test checks your urine for the hormone beta-human choriogonadotropin (hCG), which is detectable in the body from around 6 days after fertilization (5).

The hCG concentration doubles every two to three days in the first 4 weeks after implantation (6). The urine test indicates that you are pregnant when this pregnancy hormone reaches a certain concentration.

Each pregnancy test has a certain sensitivity for the hCG hormone. The result can be displayed differently depending on the test - for example with two dashes or a plus sign.

It is important that you follow the instructions for each test exactly.

We know how nervous you can be about taking a test. No matter what result you get, you are not alone. There are people who are here to support you on your personal journey. Take a deep breath and take care of yourself and your body.

When can you take a pregnancy test?

The decision as to when you should take a pregnancy test depends on how early you want to take it. There are different types of pregnancy tests with different sensitivities that can give you a result at different times.

It makes sense to take an at-home pregnancy test the latest when your period does not start at the expected date. At this point, the hCG level in your body is usually high enough to be reliably detected.

If you are familiar with your cycle and know exactly when your period is due to start, you can do an early pregnancy test.  These tests are so sensitive that they can detect small amounts of the hormone hCG as early as six days before your period is expected to start.

You can often tell at a glance from the packaging which tests are suitable at what time. Remember, however, that the hCG level in your body increases with each passing day. Tests taken before you have missed your period have a higher risk of giving a false negative result. If the test is negative, you should repeat the test a few days later, before - or at the time - you expect your period.

It is possible that the fertilized egg may not implant until after your expected period. In this case, a pregnancy test may still be negative even though the egg has been fertilized. This is because the pregnancy hormone hCG is not produced in sufficient quantities to be reliably detected by a test until after implantation (7).

If you continue to miss your period, it is advisable to repeat the test later. When in doubt, it is always a good idea to consult your gynecologist to be sure.

How common is a false test result?

A positive pregnancy test result is usually reliable. However, in rare cases, pregnancy tests can give a false positive result. Reasons for a false positive can include:

  • Early pregnancy loss shortly after the fertilized egg has implanted in the uterine lining.

  • Certain medications that contain hCG.

  • Health problems such as ovarian disorders or menopause (8).

A false negative result is more common. Reasons for a false negative can include:

  • Testing too early in the cycle when the hCG level is not high enough to be detected.

  • Incorrect use of the test, such as:

    • Reading the test strip before the recommended time.

    • Performing the test later in the day when hCG is less concentrated in your urine (8).

To ensure the accuracy of the test, follow the instructions exactly, especially regarding the time of the test and the reading time. It is best to perform the test in the morning using your morning urine and to avoid drinking large amounts of water beforehand.

If you are unsure after a negative result or your symptoms persist, repeat the test in a few days or consult a doctor to be sure.

What alternatives are there to reliably determine a pregnancy?

If you don't want to confirm your pregnancy with a home pregnancy test, there are other ways to get a reliable answer.

Measuring Basal Body Temperature

Measuring your basal body temperature is a good way to detect pregnancy very early. Your basal body temperature changes during your menstrual cycle under the influence of the hormone progesterone.

If you take your basal temperature with a basal thermometer every morning after you wake up, you will notice an increase of about 0.4°F to 1°F after ovulation. This elevated temperature usually remains until your period begins.

To measure your basal body temperature easily and get the most accurate results, you can use our fertility tracker Daysy and track your temperature curve in the app. 

Daysy has an intelligent algorithm that guarantees you precise and reliable results from the very first use. Measuring your basal body temperature can give you an early indication of a possible pregnancy. 

If your period is absent and your basal body temperature does not drop again as usual, but remains consistently high for more than 18 days, you may be pregnant.

After implantation of the fertilized egg, you can sometimes notice a second slight rise in temperature, which can also be a sign of pregnancy. Implantation takes place around 6 to 12 days after ovulation.

If you are using Daysy, the device will indicate a possible pregnancy as early as 15 days after ovulation by flashing all the lights (red, green and yellow). After 18 days of elevated temperature, all the lights will stay on. In the app's temperature chart, a possible pregnancy is indicated by the blue color.

Please note that Daysy is not a pregnancy test. To be sure, you should confirm the result with a standard pregnancy test or consult a doctor.

Doctor's check

Doctors can test for hCG in both blood and urine. These tests have very low error rates. The blood test in particular can reliably confirm a pregnancy at a very early stage. A blood test gives a reliable result as early as six to nine days after fertilization (9).

And even if a home pregnancy test already shows a positive result, the next step is to visit your doctor of choice to have the pregnancy officially confirmed.

The data that Daysy provides you with about your cycle can be particularly valuable here. By knowing the exact time of your ovulation, you can precisely narrow down the fertilization period.

With the combination of technological support from Daysy and medical expertise, you are optimally prepared for your pregnancy and can look forward to the next step.

Every path leads to your solution: we want to support you during this emotional time

During this special and often emotional time, it is normal to feel uncertain and have many questions. No matter what symptoms you experience or how many tests you take, remember that you are not alone on this journey. 

Whether you decide to take a home pregnancy test, measure your basal body temperature, or visit your doctor in person, each decision brings you one step closer to the clarity you're looking for. 

With Daysy, we want to help you take control of your fertility, whether you are trying to conceive, tracking your cycle or detecting a pregnancy early. Daysy provides you with accurate and reliable data that gives you guidance and peace of mind.

Trust your body and the choices you make. Every path you take opens up new possibilities and perspectives.

We are here to support you in your decision-making process and provide you with the information and cycle data you need.

Sources: 

(1) Signs and symptoms of pregnancy. (2022, 29. Dezember). nhs.uk. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/signs-and-symptoms-of-pregnancy/

(2) Bradley, S. & Mariz, F. (2023, 4. Mai). What is implantation bleeding. Healthline. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/implantation-bleeding

(3) Lewis, R. (2023, 18. Juli). How to Tell the Difference Between Implantation and Period Bleeding. Healthline. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.healthline.com/health/implantation-bleeding-vs-period#symptoms

(4) Steward, K. & Raja, A. (2023, 17. Juli). Physiology, ovulation and basal body temperature. National Library Of Medicine. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546686/

(5) Doing a pregnancy test. (2022, 9. Februar). nhs.uk. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/doing-a-pregnancy-test/

(6) Crna, R. N. M. & Ernst, H. (2019, 26. Februar). Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Levels and Miscarriage: What You Need to Know. Healthline. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.healthline.com/health/hcg-levels-miscarriage

(7) Wilcox, A. J., Baird, D. D., Dunson, D., McChesney, R. & Weinberg, C. R. (2002). Natural Limits of Pregnancy Testing in Relation to the Expected Menstrual Period. JAMA, 286(14), 1759. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.286.14.1759

(8) Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results? (2022, 23. Dezember). Mayo Clinic. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940

(9) Wann ist der frühest mögliche Zeitpunkt für einen Urin-Schwangerschaftstest? (2007, 31. Mai). Fraunärzte Im Netz. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.frauenaerzte-im-netz.de/aktuelles/meldung/wann-ist-der-fruehest-moegliche-zeitpunkt-fuer-einen-urin-schwangerschaftstest/(9) Wann ist der frühest mögliche Zeitpunkt für einen Urin-Schwangerschaftstest? (2007, 31. Mai). Fraunärzte Im Netz. Abgerufen am 9. August 2024, von https://www.frauenaerzte-im-netz.de/aktuelles/meldung/wann-ist-der-fruehest-moegliche-zeitpunkt-fuer-einen-urin-schwangerschaftstest/