When to Take a Pregnancy Test: Early Signs, Detection Methods After a Missed Period

Deciding when to take a pregnancy test can be a very nerve-racking experience, especially if you are anxiously hoping for or against a positive result. Many factors like the timing can affect the accuracy of a pregnancy test. In this blog, we are going to talk about early signs of pregnancy and the best time for doing a pregnancy test after a missed period. Read along till the end to find answers to critical questions like “How do you detect early pregnancy” and “When can you check if you are pregnant”. 

 Am I Pregnant? 

Am I pregnant?" is a question that can be raised due to several factors: missed periods, unusual symptoms and even a gut feeling. Though, without a test, there's no definitive answer, it can give a slight insight into what may possibly be expected when the early symptoms and signs of pregnancy are explained in detail.  

Common Symptoms Of Pregnancy

By understanding common symptoms of early pregnancy, you can simplify some of the complexity of when to take a pregnancy test after a missed period. Symptoms are very subjective and differ from woman to woman; however, they normally include the following:  

• Missed Period: The most apparent sign that you might be pregnant. 

• Nausea and Vomiting: Often called morning sickness, though it can come at any time of the day. 

• Breast Changes: Tenderness, swelling or darkening of the areolas. 

• Fatigue: Feeling more tired than usual. 

• Frequent Urination: More frequent than normal urination. 

• Mood Swings: Mood swings due to hormonal imbalances. 

• Cravings or Aversions: Strong desire or sudden aversion to particular foods. 

When Should You Take A Pregnancy Test? 

To answer the much-awaited question- “When to take a pregnancy test after a missed period?”The answer is- A week. The best time to take a pregnancy test is a week after your missed period. You can take the test earlier, but you may not be producing enough hCG for the test to detect if you test too soon. Your body only produces hCG after the fertilised egg implants itself in the lining of your uterus and the placenta starts to form. During early pregnancy, your hCG levels will double every two to three days, which is why it’s a good idea to wait with the test. In the meantime, if you are wondering whether you’re pregnant or not, you may want to look out for some early signs of pregnancy, which may include 

• tender, swollen breasts 

• frequent urination 

• morning sickness, which despite its name, is nausea (with or without vomiting) that can occur any time of day 

• fatigue. 

 How Soon Can You Take A Pregnancy Test? 

For the most accurate result, it is recommended to wait for at least one week after you miss your period to take a pregnancy test. This will give sufficient time for hCG levels to rise if you are pregnant.  

Can You Feel Pregnant Before You Miss Your Period? 

Most women have the question, "How can one feel early pregnancy even without missing their period?" Although there is no sure way to know without doing some tests, many women report feeling sometimes aware of their condition weeks ahead when the period is due. They can feel the early pregnancy symptoms such as light cramping, slight spotting or sensitivities of the nose. Yet, such symptoms are not conclusive and can be very misleading to interpret at times with features that commonly come up before menstruation. 

You can pay attention to your body and look for signs of early pregnancy but don’t forget that the best indicator of pregnancy is a positive pregnancy test. If you suspect that you may be pregnant, you can also visit your healthcare provider for confirmation. 

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work? 

Pregnancy tests work by detecting a pregnancy hormone known as hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin, which is produced in the developing placenta after the fertilised egg implants in the uterus lining in the first few days following conception. It will continue to be produced at very high levels in the first three to four months of pregnancy. This hormone signals your body to sustain pregnancy and can be detected in your urine and blood. Have a look at this pregnancy hormones guide to understand how each pregnancy hormone might make you feel. 

From week by week expert tips on pregnancy calendar to new born baby care tips, Pampers India is here to guide you through the amazing journey of early parenthood.