When you suspect you might be pregnant, it’s natural to want immediate answers to plan your next steps. While home pregnancy tests advertise high levels of accuracy, certain factors, including the time of day you take the test, can influence your results. Understanding these details can help you feel more confident.
Carolina Pregnancy Center offers free and confidential pregnancy testing so you don’t have to rely solely on at-home tests. Schedule an appointment today to learn more, and keep reading to learn why timing matters.
Why Morning Matters
The best time to take a pregnancy test is usually first thing in the morning. Your urine is more concentrated then, which means higher levels of hCG—the pregnancy hormone—are present. This increases the likelihood that the test will detect a pregnancy accurately.
Testing later in the day is still possible, but your urine may be diluted if you’ve had a lot to drink. This can make it harder for the test to detect hCG and may result in a false-negative result, even if you are pregnant.
Other Factors That Affect Accuracy
Time of day is not the only detail that matters. Several other factors can also influence results:
- Testing too early: If you take a test before your missed period, your body may not have produced enough hCG yet. Waiting until at least one to two days after your missed period improves accuracy.
- User error: Each test has different instructions. Reading the results too soon, waiting too long, or not following directions closely can cause confusion.
- False-positives: In rare cases, miscarriage, fertility medications, or certain health conditions may lead to a positive result even when you are not currently pregnant.
Why Follow-Up Matters
While a home test can provide initial answers, it doesn’t tell you everything. That’s why follow-up testing is so necessary. At Carolina Pregnancy Center, we provide pregnancy testing at no cost.
If your test is positive, you may also qualify for a limited ultrasound to confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing and provide vital information to help you determine your options.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you’re wondering whether you might be pregnant, don’t wait or rely solely on an at-home result. Schedule your free and confidential pregnancy testing appointment at Carolina Pregnancy Center today.
