How do I take a pregnancy test correctly?

Bottom lineTake a pregnancy test correctly by testing on or after the day your period is due, ideally with concentrated first-morning urine, following your test's instructions exactly and reading it within the stated time window; avoid drinking lots of fluid beforehand, and if a negative result comes while your period is still missing, retest in a few days.

Home pregnancy tests detect the hormone hCG in your urine. Taking the test correctly - and at the right time - gives the most reliable result.

When to test

• Test on or after the day your period is due for the most accurate result
• Some sensitive tests claim results a few days early, but waiting until your period is late reduces false negatives
• First-morning urine is most concentrated and best for early testing

How to test

1. Read the instructions for your specific test - they vary
2. Either hold the stick in your urine stream or dip it in a collected sample as directed
3. Wait the stated time (often a few minutes) before reading
4. Read it within the time window on the leaflet

Getting an accurate result

• Don't drink lots of fluid beforehand, which dilutes urine
• Check the test isn't expired
• A positive is reliable; a negative when your period is still missing may be too-early testing - retest in a few days

If you get a positive result, contact a clinician to start pregnancy care.

Femora predicts when your period is due so you know the earliest reliable day to test.

Check timing: pregnancy test calculator