Home pregnancy tests can be fairly accurate when determining if you're pregnant or not. However, they can be very inaccurate when not used properly. Many women do not follow the instructions carefully and they can misread a pregnancy test which is definitely not good! Even if you follow all the instructions, you should always go to your doctor to be 100% sure because it is possible to get a false negative or a false positive.
Important Info
Before you take a pregnancy test, here is some information you really really need to know.
False negative means the test is incorrect and you are pregnant.
False positive means the test is incorrect and you are not pregnant.
Pregnancy tests look for certain chemical markers found in urine and blood.
One marker is hCG but it cannot be seen until after implantation (6-12 days after fertilization), which can result in a false negative if done too early.
A second marker is EPF which is detected quicker, 48 hours after fertilization.
You will get a more accurate reading if you wait at least 1 week after your missed period.
If your result is negative, wait a week and take it again just to be sure.
Home Pregnancy Tests
If you want a blood pregnancy test, you will have to go to the doctor. All home pregnancy tests are urine tests. Just about all the tests are one step and will ask you to dip the strip into a cup of your urine or you can briefly urinate onto the strip. Many brands are now offering digital tests that will show you with words rather than lines if you're pregnant. Many also offer early pregnancy tests so that you can know sooner rather than later. But as I mentioned before, you will get more accurate results if you wait until after your missed period so do not be deceived by some of these 'early detection' tests.
