Some experts advocate buying a pregnancy test from a large store that has a high turnover so that you are more likely to get a newer pregnancy test, rather than one that has been sitting on a shelf for months. Similarly, if you’ve had a pregnancy test lying around at home for several months, consider throwing it out and getting a new one, especially if you’ve been storing it somewhere warm or prone to dampness, as this can affect the results of the test. [3] X Research source Some brands claim that they can accurately detect pregnancy on the day of your missed period or even earlier. While it’s true that the tests may be sensitive enough to pick up on higher hCG levels in your urine, it may be too early in your pregnancy for your body to actually produce higher levels of hCG. In this case, you run the risk of getting a negative result, even though you might indeed be pregnant. [4] X Research source Many of the generic brand drugstore pregnancy tests are actually produced in the same factories as the big-name brands and use the same technology. So don’t worry about the quality of the generic brands if you’re trying to save some dollars.

hCG develops in a woman’s body only after a fertilized egg implants in her uterus. Implantation of the fertilized egg typically occurs on or around the 6th day after the sperm and egg have merged. This is why home pregnancy tests won’t pick up on any hCG if you take the test too early, even if you are pregnant. As a rule of thumb or if you have irregular periods, you should wait 3 weeks after sex to take a pregnancy test. However, if you are in a hurry, most tests will work after 2 weeks (approximately when your period is due). [6] X Research source

Avoid taking the test right after drinking large amounts of water, since this can dilute your urine. If you choose to do the test later in the day, try to hold your urine for at least 4 hours first so that it is more concentrated.

It’s better to familiarize yourself with the symbols used in advance, as you don’t want to be anxiously scrambling for the instructions when the test throws up its results. There should be a toll-free number on the box or instructions which you can call if you have any questions or concerns about the method of taking the test or the product itself.

If you need to urinate directly on the stick, make sure to follow the instructions carefully. With some tests, you need to urinate on the stick for a very specific time—for example, exactly 5 seconds, no more no less. Use a stopwatch to help you time it, if necessary. When urinating on the stick, make sure to place the absorbent end of the stick into the urine stream and turn it so that the display window faces upwards.

Try not to stare at the stick for the duration of the waiting period; time will seem to go slower and you’ll become even more anxious. Do something to distract yourself, like making a cup of tea or doing some stretches or exercises. Some sticks will have a little timer symbol or line to show that the test is working. If your test stick is supposed to have this function and nothing appears on the screen, it is likely that your test is not working properly and you may need to use a different one.

Sometimes a line or symbol will appear only very faintly on the display screen. If this happens, you should still consider it a positive result as this indicates that the test has picked up on hCG in your urine. False positives are very rare. [13] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If the results are positive: You should make an appointment with your doctor to have the pregnancy confirmed. This may be done using a blood or urine test. [14] X Research source If the results are negative: Wait another week, and if you still haven’t started your period, do the test again. False negatives are fairly common, especially if you miscalculated your ovulation date and took the test too soon. This is why many home pregnancy tests come with 2 test sticks. If the second test comes back negative, make an appointment with your doctor to find out if there is some other problem affecting your menstruation or causing symptoms of pregnancy. [15] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source