It's an impressive number: more than 3 million pregnancy tests are sold each year in France! Whether we're impatiently waiting for the green light of an early pregnancy or crossing our fingers that the result comes back negative, this precious pregnancy test can turn our lives upside down in a matter of seconds.
So there is no question of making a mistake: when is the optimal time to carry out a test, in order to obtain a reliable result?
The most common signs of early pregnancy
Before rushing to the pharmacy or laboratory to take a pregnancy test, it is useful to recognize the common symptoms of the first weeks of pregnancy.
Early signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman, but some are commonly seen. The simplest indicator is of course late periods, but we will also watch for morning sickness, swollen breasts or increased fatigue. Hormonal changes can also lead to increased urinary frequency and mood swings.
Some pregnant women may notice changes in their appetite or unusual food cravings. Symptoms such as back pain, mild cramps, increased sensitivity to odors, and changes in body temperature may also be present.
However, these signs do not always guarantee pregnancy or, conversely, a pregnancy can begin without feeling any symptoms. If in doubt, the pregnancy test is therefore the ideal solution to be quickly determined.
How do pregnancy tests work and how reliable are they?
The purpose of a pregnancy test is to analyze your levels of the hormone hCG , in other words human chorionic gonadotropin. The hCG hormone is the pregnancy hormone, since it is produced first by the embryo around the 9th day of pregnancy, then by the placenta.
The role of this hormone is to maintain the corpus luteum, which is created during the luteal phase of our menstrual cycle and whose main mission will be to secrete progesterone. The hCG level increases very sharply in the first weeks of pregnancy, to stabilize around 8 weeks, then decrease after 12 weeks until the end of the pregnancy.
This hCG level can be quickly detected depending on the test performed. There are two types of pregnancy tests:
> urine tests , that is to say pregnancy tests sold in pharmacies. They detect the presence of hCG in urine using specific chemical reagents.
> blood tests , which involve taking blood in a laboratory. You can go to your usual medical analysis laboratory, without a prescription (but at your own expense in this case), or appointment and you do not need to be fasting to do this test.
In case of a positive result after a urine test, your doctor will certainly ask you to confirm it with a blood test which will be more reliable and more precise.
When to take a pregnancy test to find out if you are pregnant?
The best times to take a urine pregnancy test
If you are experiencing pregnancy symptoms, the answer is simple: take your urine test as soon as you can.
On the other hand, if there are no symptoms, here are some tips for choosing the best time to take your pregnancy test:
> To increase its accuracy, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after the expected day of your period before taking a test.
> If you don't know the exact date of your period or you have irregular menstrual cycles, you can wait up to two weeks to get an even more accurate result.
> In the case of a risky report (forgotten or otherwise), it is advisable to wait 3 weeks after the report in order to be truly certain that the test result is reliable.
> If sexual intercourse took place a few days before ovulation, you will have to wait even longer for the hCG level to reach a detectable level. It is therefore recommended to wait about two weeks after sexual intercourse before taking a pregnancy test, even if you are already a day late for your period.
A little info for those in a hurry: it is really essential to wait for the right moment, because carrying out a test too early can result in a false negative, as the level of hCG in the urine may be insufficient to be detected.
Urine test: in the morning or in the evening?
The ideal time to take a urine pregnancy test is early in the morning, with the first urine . Morning urine contains a higher concentration of the hCG hormone, which increases the sensitivity of the test and the reliability of the results.
However, if you can't wait and decide to take the test at another time of day, make sure you don't drink too much fluid beforehand. This may result in a lower concentration of the pregnancy hormone in the urine, increasing the risk of false negatives.
To obtain a reliable result, it is crucial to carefully follow the steps for using the urine pregnancy test. Read the instructions provided with the test carefully and avoid any mistakes that could distort the result. If you get a negative result when you have pregnancy symptoms or your period is not coming, you can wait a few days and retest in the morning.
Blood pregnancy test: when and how to do it?
The blood pregnancy test is more sensitive and can be done at any time of the day . A blood test may detect low levels of hCG in the first few days after conception. Women with a significant delay in menstruation, with symptoms of pregnancy or a history of miscarriage are recommended to have a blood test to obtain a more accurate and early result.
The blood pregnancy test is carried out by a healthcare professional, in a medical analysis laboratory. It involves taking a blood sample, which is then analyzed for the presence of hCG. This test is considered very reliable, but takes longer than urine tests. It is reimbursed by Social Security, if your doctor has prescribed it for you.
Is it useful to take a pregnancy test while using hormonal contraception?
No contraceptive is 100% infallible and the risks of pregnancy under contraception exist, even if they are extremely rare.
On the pill, the risk is more frequent, since it is easy to forget to take your tablet, especially since one forgetting can be enough.
The IUD (copper or hormonal) is one of the most reliable contraceptive methods, with a success rate of more than 99%, but here too, the possibility of pregnancy exists. Please note, after removing an IUD, reproductive functions return to normal very quickly and it is entirely possible to become pregnant during the cycle following its removal.
If you are pregnant on contraceptives, the symptoms will be the same as for a typical pregnancy. So if you notice unusual symptoms (fatigue, breast pain, nausea or an irregular cycle), a pregnancy test may be necessary to confirm or rule out a new pregnancy. If you are pregnant with an IUD, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional quickly to remove it and avoid medical complications.
The different types of pregnancy tests available on the market
On the market, there are a variety of urine pregnancy tests, such as conventional tests, digital tests, early tests and ultra-early tests. Each has its specific characteristics and sensitivity. Digital tests are easy to read because they directly display the result (“pregnant” or “not pregnant”), while early and ultra-early tests are designed to detect pregnancy earlier than traditional tests.
Whatever they are, all of these tests are reliable, so there is no point in automatically favoring the most advanced test, unless you absolutely want to know the stage of your pregnancy.
What factors can affect the results of a pregnancy test?
Today, pregnancy test results are 99% reliable if performed effectively.
However, some external factors can affect pregnancy test results, such as the expiration date of the test, exposure to extreme temperatures, or the use of faulty tests. To avoid problems, always check the expiration date, store tests properly, and be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
False positives and false negatives: how to interpret them?
False positives , which indicate a pregnancy when none is present, are extremely rare. A few situations can explain them:
> certain medications, including treatments to promote fertility, contain hCG. They are usually prescribed for specific medical conditions such as ovarian cysts and certain conditions affecting menopausal or peri-menopausal women.
> in the event of a recent pregnancy (recent childbirth, abortion), your body may still contain pregnancy hormones.
> a pregnancy test can also be positive, but the pregnancy ends very soon after, often before it is even detectable by an ultrasound. This is called a chemical pregnancy or early miscarriage. In these cases, the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, but the development of the embryo usually stops very early, a few days after conception. According to statistics, 1 in 4 women experience a spontaneous terminated pregnancy, without this having any impact on the possibility of a future pregnancy.
The subject of terminated pregnancy is complex and particularly affects us at Boome. If you want to find out more about this subject, our article how to know if you are having a miscarriage will help you see more clearly.
False negatives , on the other hand, indicate the absence of pregnancy when it is present. They can occur if the test is performed too early or if the instructions are not followed correctly as explained previously.
Steps to take if in doubt about the result
If doubt persists about the result of a pregnancy test, it is recommended to repeat the test after a few days or to consult a healthcare professional to obtain a more precise assessment. If you get a positive result, it is important to make an appointment with your doctor to begin prenatal monitoring and ensure a healthy pregnancy.
At Boome, we want to offer you products that respect your body and your needs. Our food supplements will accompany you through the different stages from your desire to have a child to the complete recovery of your postpartum period. Discover our pregnancy vitamins , designed with ingredients of natural origin and validated by gynecologists.
