Can I do a pregnancy test before my period is due?

There are now tests which have been designed to pick up traces of HCG in the urine before your period is due; First Response and Clearblue are the most popular early pregnancy tests and they can produce results up to six days before the period is due. It is important to realise that these tests are not as accurate when they are used before the period is due; accuracy increases the later the test is done; the tests are more than 99% accurate the day the period is due, while they may only be around 60-70% accurate 5 or 6 days before the period is due.

Most home pregnancy tests can be done from the first day of the missed period with around 99% accuracy. As a general rule it is best to wait until your period is late to do a test; HCG levels should be high enough for the test to detect them by this time.

It is advisable to do more than one test to make sure the result is reliable; this is particularly beneficial if you have done a test early on and have got a negative result.

FAQ:

Pregnancy Testing FAQs

• Q1. How soon can I get an accurate result?
• Q2. What happens if the urine test is positive but the blood test is negative?
• Q3. Can blood tests be wrong?
• Q4. What are the common signs of pregnancy?
• Q5. How common are false positive results?
• Q6. When can I do a pregnancy test if I’ve had fertility treatment?
• Q7. How do home pregnancy tests work?
• Q8. Is a blood test more reliable than a home urine test?
• Q9. What does a faint line mean?
• Q10. Why is my period late if I’m not pregnant?

• Q11. Will using contraception alter the result of a fertility test?
• Q12. How do I do a home pregnancy test?
• Q13. How common are false negative results?
• Q14. How soon can I take a pregnancy test after a positive result from an ovulation test?
• Q15. Can I do a pregnancy test before my period is due?
• Q16. What should I do if my test is positive?
• Q17. Do drugs and medication affect pregnancy test results?
• Q18. What should I do if I have pregnancy symptoms but my test was negative?