When and How to Take a Pregnancy Test

Pregnancy tests are the first method available to you to find out if you’re pregnant. How do they work and when is it recommended to take a pregnancy test?

When and how to take a pregnancy test: let’s break it down.

How does a urine pregnancy test work?

A urine pregnancy test works like a detector: it only reacts when it comes into contact with a specific hormone, beta-hCG or human Chorionic Gonadotropin.

Did you know? This is a hormone found in the human body only during pregnancy!

Basically, the test reacts when it detects this hormone in the urine it comes into contact with. If the test is positive, it means it has detected beta-hCG, which likely indicates a pregnancy. If the test is negative, it means the hormone was not detected — either because the test was taken too early or not done correctly, or because you are not pregnant.

Good to know: beta-hCG is secreted very early in pregnancy by what is called the trophoblast (the future placenta), starting from embryo implantation in the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). It’s also beta-hCG that triggers the production of two other key pregnancy hormones: progesterone and estradiol (estrogens).

When to take a pregnancy test and how to do it ?

Are you noticing early pregnancy signs like nausea, a missed period, had unprotected sex, or just have a doubt? Let’s look at when to take a pregnancy test and more importantly, how.

When to take a pregnancy test?

To determine the best time to take a pregnancy test, let’s revisit the beta-hCG hormone. In addition to what we’ve said before, it’s important to note that once its production begins, the hormone level doubles every 48 to 72 hours.

Also note that this hormone first appears in the blood before gradually being detectable in urine. That’s why it’s recommended to avoid taking a test too early: you need to give the body time to start producing beta-hCG until it’s detectable in urine.

This is why it is useless to take a urine pregnancy test before your expected period, as the result will not be reliable. The best time to take the test is about 1 to 2 weeks after the expected date of your period.

How to take a pregnancy test?

There are different types of urine tests. Some require holding an absorbent strip in the urine stream, while others require collecting urine in a container to dip the strip into. Whichever method you choose, each test comes with instructions that provide everything you need to use it properly.

Once the test is done, you’ll need to wait for the result, always following the instructions in the leaflet. Most often, you’ll wait at least 2 minutes to get a preliminary result, which will be final after about ten minutes.

Good to know: these tests are sold in pharmacies, but you can also find them in drugstores or supermarkets.

You can also get a blood test at a medical lab. Blood tests can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests. They can be done with a doctor’s or midwife’s prescription or without one. Note: without a prescription, the test is not reimbursed by public health insurance.

Is it better to take a pregnancy test in the morning or evening?

It’s generally recommended to take a pregnancy test in the morning, using your first urine of the day.

Why? Because when you drink fluids throughout the day, your urine becomes diluted, including the beta-hCG levels. The more diluted your urine is, the higher the risk of getting a false negative.

Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.

Are urine pregnancy tests reliable?

Yes, urine pregnancy tests are reliable. If your test result is positive, there’s a 99% chance you are truly pregnant. However, a negative result may be less reliable (as a negative result may mean the test was done too early, as we mentioned before). In this case, we call it a “false negative.” It’s recommended to wait a few more days and test again if your period hasn’t started. If you don’t want to wait, you can also take a blood test.

Irregular cycles, miscarriage, breastfeeding: when to take a pregnancy test?

In some cases, it’s harder to determine the ideal time to take a pregnancy test.

When to test if you have irregular cycles?

With an irregular cycle, it can be difficult to estimate when your period is due. In this case, we suggest waiting a few extra days compared to a regular cycle, and choosing a high-sensitivity pregnancy test.

Good to know: not all pregnancy tests have the same sensitivity, meaning they don’t all detect beta-hCG at the same level. The more sensitive the test, the lower the chance of a false negative.

Pregnancy testing during breastfeeding

After childbirth, your healthcare providers usually consider it possible to become pregnant again as early as day 21 postpartum, or with the return of your period (also known as postpartum return of menstruation). That’s why contraception is usually discussed early on (pill, IUD, etc.).

Note that if you’re breastfeeding – directly or pumping – it can affect your fertility. This is known as the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). According to the French National Health Authority (HAS), breastfeeding can act as a contraceptive for up to 6 months postpartum (with a pregnancy rate below 2%) if all of the following conditions are met:

• Exclusive breastfeeding,
• Day and night breastfeeding, 6 to 10 feeds per day,
• No more than 6 hours between feeds at night and no more than 4 hours during the day,
• Persistent amenorrhea (no return of menstruation).

If your period returns, or you reduce feeding frequency or duration, or introduce bottle feeding, or once your baby is 6 months old, WHO recommends using another contraceptive method.

If you think you might be pregnant, it’s recommended to take a pregnancy test at the same timing as usual (1 to 2 weeks after a missed period) and consult if needed.

A few days of delayed menstruation may be a sign of a potential pregnancy. Don’t worry — if you follow the instructions and don’t rush to test too early, there’s little chance of a false result! And as always, consult a professional if in doubt.

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