What Causes Pregnancy Test Errors?
If you’re wondering about the accuracy of home pregnancy tests, you’re not alone. Although these tests are getting closer to 100% accuracy, timing is still a key factor to consider. The pregnancy test relies on the amount of pregnancy hormone in your body, which is often too low during the initial test. However, there are some points to keep in mind that can help you determine when is the best time to take the test.
It can take several days for a fertilized egg to attach itself to the uterine wall and form a placenta. During this time, the levels of hormone produced by the egg are too low to be detected. Once the egg has attached and the placenta has formed, the body begins to produce the hormones for pregnancy.
The placenta is a key player in early pregnancy. Once it’s formed, it starts producing the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone helps ensure a steady supply of nutrients for the developing embryo. HCG also plays an important role in the early stages of pregnancy, helping to maintain the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone.
If you’re trying to get pregnant, you may be wondering how soon you can take a pregnancy test and get an accurate result. It can take 5 to 10 days after ovulation for the pregnancy hormone to be present. The levels of HCG are pretty low at first, but they do double every other day. Early detection is still possible at 7 days, but it is best if you wait until 14 to 17 days after ovulation. This is because you give your body time to produce enough of the HCG hormone to register on the test. A good rule of thumb is to wait until your period is late before taking a pregnancy test. By waiting until your period is late, you’re more likely to get an accurate result.
