When to take pregnancy test?
While there are some highly sensitive tests which can predict pregnancy just before periods, but their accuracy is about 60%. It is usually recommended to take pregnancy tests at least 4-5 days after the missed periods. If the test comes negative, it might mean the hormone level is not high enough to detect. In such cases repeat the test after a few days.
How does pregnancy test work?
Home pregnancy tests read the amount of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in your urine and blood tests detect this hormone level in the blood.
This hormone is produced when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of a woman's uterus.
This usually happens -- but not always -- about six days after fertilization. If you're pregnant, levels of hCG continue to rise rapidly, doubling every two to three days.
What are the types of pregnancy tests?
Blood Tests: Blood tests are done at the lab, but are used less often than urine tests. These tests can detect pregnancy earlier than a home pregnancy test, or about six to eight days after ovulation. But it takes longer to get the results than with a home pregnancy test.