Whether it’s a little daunting or joyfully anticipated, most pregnancies begin with the nervous wait for a pregnancy test result. When should you take a pregnancy test? What different tests are available? How do they work? How reliable are they? Here are the answers to all your questions about pregnancy tests.

What are the different types of pregnancy tests?

There are two types of pregnancy tests: the urine test and the blood test. The urine test is available in pharmacies or parapharmacies. You can also buy it online or in supermarkets. However, make sure it complies with European standards. It is very reliable and easy to access. The blood test is performed in a laboratory, with or without a doctor’s prescription. It is more reliable, but it requires a bit more organization and patience.

How to choose your pregnancy test?

Today, you can find dozens of different urine pregnancy tests . They range from simple to more sophisticated—and therefore more or less expensive. It’s up to you to decide whether you want a basic model that costs a few euros or one that shows the progress of your pregnancy or clearly indicates whether you are pregnant. Above all, choose what feels right for you. As long as the tests meet European standards, they all offer the same reliability; price does not affect the quality of the result. What really matters is how the result is displayed.

When to take a pregnancy test?

You can take a pregnancy test from the very first day of a missed period , or fifteen days after ovulation. Some women have slightly longer cycles, so ideally, you would wait three weeks after the presumed date of ovulation—but that isn’t always easy. There are also early urine tests that can be taken five days before the first day of your expected period. However, early tests are much less reliable than standard tests because levels of the pregnancy hormone, hCG, are still extremely low. You can also take a pregnancy test if you feel like you have pregnancy symptoms such as nausea , which is among the first signs.

The blood pregnancy test can be done very early because it measures the hCG hormone level more precisely in the blood and also helps determine the stage of pregnancy.

When is the right time to take a pregnancy test?

For a urine pregnancy test , the ideal is to take it in the morning because that’s when hCG concentrations in urine are highest. However, you can also take it at other times of day. If you have drunk a lot of water, your urine may be more diluted, and the result may be less clear. For a blood pregnancy test, timing doesn’t matter, as you don’t need to fast beforehand.

Can you take a pregnancy test in the evening?

You can take your pregnancy test in the evening, especially if you have waited at least five days after your missed period . No matter what time you take the test, if you are pregnant, the result will be positive. However, an early test may be less reliable in the evening because it reduces the chances that your hCG level will be detectable in urine.

How to perform and use a pregnancy test?

To take a pregnancy test, first read the instructions carefully , as there may be small differences between models. Then, hold the test stick in the urine stream or dip it into a urine collection container. Depending on the test, a color change or a message will appear based on the level of hCG in your urine and will indicate whether you are pregnant. Urine pregnancy tests are single-use, so you’ll need a new one each time you want to test.

What is the reliability of the pregnancy test?

Urine pregnancy tests are 99% reliable in the case of a positive or negative result. The intensity of the lines on the test doesn’t matter; the result is generally very reliable. The longer you wait to take your pregnancy test, the more reliable it will be, as hCG levels increase as pregnancy progresses.

For blood pregnancy tests, this is the only test that is 100% reliable . If your urine test is positive, your healthcare professional will ask you to have a blood test to confirm the pregnancy, which will mark the beginning of your monitoring of your pregnancy . If your test is negative but you still have doubts, you can also have a blood test to be sure.

False positive or false negative: what is it?

Today, it is very rare to get a false positive result because tests are becoming increasingly precise and efficient. However, two scenarios can affect the result:

• Taking fertility medications because they contain HCG hormones.

• An early miscarriage , or pregnancy hormones have not yet been eliminated from your body.

A false negative result is a bit more common and can occur if ovulation happened a little late or if you take the test too early. In that case, pregnancy hormone levels may be too low to detect.

Whether it’s a false positive or a false negative, a blood test can confirm or rule out pregnancy.

If you are eagerly hoping for a pregnancy and it hasn’t happened yet, we wish you lots of courage and patience. If you are pregnant, congratulations—take care of yourself and enjoy this new adventure.