Everything you need to know about the pregnancy test

If you are trying to get pregnant, you would like to take a pregnancy test every day. But of course, that is not how it works. When can you take a pregnancy test? And which pregnancy test is the best?

How does a pregnancy test work?

When you are pregnant, your body automatically produces the HCG hormone. This hormone can be found in your blood and urine. That is why a pregnancy test requires urine: a pregnancy test measures the amount of HCG in your urine and determines on that basis whether you are actually pregnant.

Although the hCG pregnancy hormone is already secreted around the eighth day after fertilization, that is from the moment of implantation, the amount at that time is usually still too small to be detected by a pregnancy test. If you test too early, there is a chance of a negative result even though you are pregnant.

Cheap or expensive pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests come in different price ranges from a few euros for a budget version to over ten euros for a branded version. In general, one test is not better than the other. It all depends on how much you want to spend and the different levels of ease of use.

Analog pregnancy test

To perform a pregnancy test, the test stick must be held in your urine for a few seconds. This can be done by urinating on it, but also by dipping the test stick in a container filled with your urine. With an analogue test, one line appears if you are not pregnant and two if you are pregnant. The disadvantage of an analogue pregnancy test is that the line can be very faint. Or that a second line automatically appears after a certain time, also called a drying line. Therefore, do not wait too long after urinating to read the result; adhere to the waiting time indicated in the package insert.

Digital pregnancy test

The digital test is used in the same way as an analogue test; the difference is in how you read it. With a digital pregnancy test, the result is easy to read from the screen. It usually says: pregnant or not pregnant. Some tests can also indicate how many weeks you have been pregnant. A disadvantage of the digital pregnancy test can be that it is more expensive (often more than ten euros). This can be expensive if you are actively trying to get pregnant and, for example, have to take a pregnancy test for several months.

When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?

You can take a test on the day you are supposed to get your period. Morning urine is the most reliable, because it contains the highest concentration of the pregnancy hormone. Do you have an irregular cycle and is it therefore difficult to determine when you are late? Then it is best to use your longest possible cycle as a guideline.

Also read: hCG: Which values ​​indicate a (healthy) pregnancy?

Positive pregnancy test

If you followed the instructions for the test correctly, a positive test means that you are pregnant. However, be aware that there is always a chance that it is a false positive pregnancy test. This can be the case, for example, if the pregnancy has not progressed, but the pregnancy hormone is still present in your body.

Also read: What if your pregnancy test shows a faint line?

Negative pregnancy test

A negative test result usually means that you are not pregnant. But this can also be an incorrect result. For example, if you have consumed too much fluid beforehand. This can reduce the concentration of the pregnancy hormone in your urine. But you can also get a false result if you have not performed the test correctly. You can then repeat the test a few days later. If you are really overdue, the HCG hormone doubles every few days.

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