At home
Modern home pregnancy tests are highly accurate when used correctly and some doctors accept a home positive result without retesting to confirm pregnancy. The tests check for the presence, or absence, of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gondatrophin, or HCG, in your urine.
Most tests can be effective from the first day your period is due, though there are now also some first response tests that may give a positive test even earlier. To avoid spending countless pounds and the emotional rollercoaster of repeated testing though, it's best to wait until your period is late before testing.
Most home pregnancy tests require you to pee on a stick for a few seconds, then a few minutes later lines, spots or a colour mark will indicate your test result. It's essential that whatever brand of test you use, you read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter. Make sure that you time the waiting period accurately as leaving the test for too long a time, as well as too little, may affect the results.
Positive?
If the result is positive, congratulations! You can safely assume that you are pregnant as the home tests are over 95% accurate and are more accurate for positive results than negative ones. You should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can for an initial consultation and prenatal check-up. If you haven't already, then make sure you're taking the right supplements and know what foods to avoid or seek out.
Negative?
If the result is negative and your period is late, then you shouldn't assume that you are not pregnant. As the home pregnancy tests are looking for the presence of HCG, a false negative test is far more likely than a false positive, although still very unlikely. If your period doesn't appear then wait a few days before testing again, and if you still get a negative result when your period is missed entirely you should contact your doctor for a check-up.
It's best to behave as though you were pregnant when you have an unexplained missed period until it's confirmed that you're definitely not pregnant.
Stick happy?
If you're trying for a baby it's hard to resist testing before your period is due and repeating testing to confirm the results. It's understandable to want to test once again to double-check that positive result. Or, if you've been trying to conceive for a long time and you've had a negative test but still no period, then you'll probably want to test again in a few days' time. But testing early and then testing every day is not only expensive, it also puts you on an emotional roller coaster until you can get a reliable result, so try as hard as you can to wait until your period hasn't materialised before you test.
At the surgery
Urine test
You'll need to provide the doctor with a sample of your first urine from the day of the appointment. Use a clean, well-rinsed and dry container. Or drop in to the surgery to collect a sample bottle a day ahead.
Internal examination
Doctors rarely test for pregnancy by internal examination nowadays as the urine tests give such accurate and relatively early results. If you do have an internal examination though, the doctor will check your cervix for signs of pregnancy and check for growth of the uterus.
Blood test
A blood test is the most accurate way of testing for the presence of HCG, but it is also the most costly and time consuming. If you've had fertility treatment and need an early confirmation of pregnancy, or if you feel pregnant (you are feeling signs and your period is missing) but other tests return a negative result, then your doctor may recommend a blood test.
