Earliest Time to Take a Pregnancy TestIt is recommended that the earliest time a woman takes a pregnancy test is after a missed period. This is because one quarter of all early pregnancies end in miscarriage. Waiting until after a missed period also increases the chances that a urine test will be accurate. If you want to know sooner than later if you are pregnant, it is important to remember that hCG (the pregnancy hormone) does not show up in tests for six to twelve days following ovulation and the occurrence of implantation. This is the soonest you would be able to detect pregnancy, but if you have miscalculated or ovulated late you may not know as soon as you expect. A blood test to measure the levels of hCG in the blood generally gives results seven to twelve days before a traditional urine test. You can also use the blood test to discover any pregnancy related problems that can be detected. These tests take longer than a urine test to yield a result. If a blood test is not an option, a woman can use a sensitive home pregnancy test designed to that detect pregnancy up to five days before a typical urine test. These tests, like other home pregnancy tests, also test the levels of hCG present in the body. Sensitive pregnancy tests do not often yield a positive result. Many women who receive a negative result with one of these tests have a positive result when taking a home pregnancy test after a missed period. Read more of our articles on pregnancy tests Early Pregnancy Tests |