Pregnancy Test Calculator

Is there a chance you could be pregnant? The only way to find out is with a pregnancy test and our Pregnancy Test Calculator.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pregnancy tests – including how they work, the best time to take them, and when you should book an appointment with your doctor. 

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work? 

Pregnancy tests are designed to detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in blood or urine. 

HCG rises rapidly after implantation (i.e. when a fertilized egg implants itself into the uterine lining). A pregnancy test (sometimes referred to as hCG tests) can determine whether or not hCG levels are elevated enough to indicate pregnancy. 

HCG levels can be detected in blood with a beta hCG test as early as six to eight days after ovulation. This type of test requires a visit to your doctor’s office. 

You can also test for hCG at home with a traditional pregnancy test. This type of test utilizes lateral flow assay technology to measure hCG levels in urine. Most at-home pregnancy tests can detect elevated hCG levels around 12 to 14 days after ovulation, which is usually a day or two after the estimated start date of your next period. 

Types of Pregnancy Tests

Blood Tests

There are two different types of blood pregnancy tests: qualitative blood tests and quantitative blood tests. 

Qualitative tests can check for the presence of hCG. The results of this test can be used to confirm whether or not you are pregnant. Quantitative tests, on the other hand, can measure the exact numeric amount of hCG in the blood. The results of this test can then be used to estimate how far along your pregnancy is. 

Urine Tests

There are a few different types of urine pregnancy tests – most of which are available over the counter at your local pharmacy or supermarket.  

Traditional pregnancy tests come in the form of ‘strips’ or ‘sticks’. After testing a urine sample, you’ll see a control line. This line appears when the test has been taken correctly. If you are pregnant, you’ll also see a second line. This is the test line, and it only appears if the test detects elevated hCG levels. Traditional tests can sometimes be difficult to interpret, especially if the test line is faint in color. 

You can also find digital pregnancy tests. Like traditional tests, these tests also utilize lateral flow assay technology. However, they also contain a tiny computer that can interpret the results for you. With digital pregnancy tests, you can read your results as either ‘pregnant’ or ‘not pregnant’.

It’s also worth mentioning early pregnancy tests, which can come in the form of a digital test or a more traditional paper strip. What sets these tests apart from other pregnancy tests is they can be taken a few days earlier than other pregnancy tests. For example, the First Response Early Pregnancy Test can be taken six days before a missed period. Early pregnancy tests do not always work for every pregnancy (in fact, they only work in around 79% of pregnancies). If you receive a negative result with an early pregnancy test, wait a few days and then take a second test after the first day of your missed period. 

When to Take a Pregnancy Test

Based on Your Cycle

To ensure the accuracy of your pregnancy test results, it’s important to take your test at the right time of your menstrual cycle. Blood tests can be taken as early as six to eight days after ovulation. Most urine tests, however, work best when taken later at around 12 to 14 days after ovulation. 

If you are unsure of when you ovulated, you can also wait until at least one day after the start of your missed period to take a pregnancy test. 

Struggling to keep track of ovulation and your period? It may be time to start taking cycle tracking more seriously! 

An easy way to do this is with the Mira App, which is free to download, and it can help you keep track of your period dates alongside other symptoms such as BBT (basal body temperature), cervical mucus characteristics, mood, and more. When paired with the Mira Monitor, you can also chart your full 6-day fertile window, predict ovulation, and confirm your date of ovulation. 

Based on the Time of Day

Blood tests can be taken at any time of day to detect pregnancy. With urine tests, however, it’s often recommended to take the test using first-morning urine. The logic is that your urine is more concentrated first thing in the morning, making it easier for a pregnancy test to detect elevated hCG levels. 

Based on Your Symptoms

Before you’ve had a chance to take a pregnancy test, you may start to notice early symptoms of pregnancy. The most common early signs of pregnancy include: 

• Implantation bleeding
• Breast tenderness
• Cramping
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Changes in taste and smell
• Mood swings
• Frequent urination

It can be easy to confuse the early symptoms of pregnancy with the typical luteal phase symptoms. However, symptoms such as nausea, nipple changes, and breast tenderness are more likely to be associated with early pregnancy. 

The most important early symptom of pregnancy is a missed period. If there is a chance you could be pregnant and your period is late by a day or more, it’s time to take a pregnancy test. 

Factors That Can Interfere With Your Pregnancy Test Results

Blood pregnancy tests at a doctor’s office are over 99% accurate at detecting pregnancy and hCG levels. 

On the other hand, while urine pregnancy tests are considered to be up to 99% accurate, there are certain factors that can interfere with their accuracy and ability to test for pregnancy.  

For example, if your periods are irregular (due to factors such as PCOS or discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives), it can be difficult to determine when you’re supposed to take a pregnancy test. If you test too early, it’s possible to receive a ‘negative’ result – even if you’re technically pregnant. For individuals who have irregular periods, the Office on Women’s Health recommends waiting at least four weeks after having unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test. This can help to reduce the risk of receiving a false-negative result due to testing too early. 

Another major factor that can interfere with at-home pregnancy test results comes down to user error. For example, if the pregnancy test becomes wet, if you wait too long to read your results, or if your test has expired – this can increase your risk of receiving a false-negative or false positive pregnancy test result. 

How to Use an At-Home Pregnancy Test Correctly

Once you’ve purchased an at-home pregnancy test, make sure to read and follow the instructions very carefully. This will reduce your risk of receiving an inaccurate result. 

Here are some general tips for using an at-home pregnancy test correctly: 

• Check the expiration date. Do not use the test if it is out of date. 
• Thoroughly read the test instructions. 
• Use first-morning urine to ensure your highest hCG concentration levels are measured. 
• Interpret your results based on the guidelines in your test instructions. 

If you’re unsure about the accuracy of your results, wait a day or two and then test again. If you’re still unsure, book an appointment with your doctor for a blood test.  

Interpreting Your Test Results

If you’ve had a blood test at your doctor’s office, your doctor will interpret your results for you and answer any questions you may have. 

If you’ve taken a digital at-home pregnancy test, your results will be displayed to you as either ‘pregnant’ or ‘not pregnant’.

If you’ve taken a traditional at-home pregnancy test, there is a bit more effort involved with interpreting your results. Here are some general guidelines for interpreting your results:

• One line indicates that the test was taken correctly, but your hCG levels are not elevated enough to indicate pregnancy. 
• Two lines indicate that the test was taken correctly and your hCG levels are elevated enough to indicate pregnancy. 
• If the test line only has a hint of color, this is considered a faint test line and may indicate early pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, pituitary gland tumors, and ovarian cysts. 
• If the test line appears to be colorless or translucent, this is considered an evaporation line which is a false-positive result. 

For more guidance on interpreting traditional pregnancy tests, check out our article Decoding Pregnancy Test Results: Evaporation, Indent, and Faint Lines. 

When to See a Doctor

If Your Pregnancy Test Was Positive

If you received a positive pregnancy test result, now is the time to book an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can confirm your pregnancy with a blood test, provide advice for maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and schedule any further pregnancy testing and screenings as required. 

It’s also important to start taking a regular prenatal vitamin. Prenatal vitamins play a crucial role during pregnancy by supporting fetal development, which in turn reduces the risk of birth defects and pregnancy complications. If you’re looking for a prenatal vitamin, Mira’s own Prenatal MultiVitamins are an excellent choice as they contain all the essential vitamins to support a healthy pregnancy. 

You may also experience some uncomfortable symptoms in early pregnancy – such as morning sickness, nausea, heartburn, headaches, and fatigue. To help soothe these symptoms, check out Mira’s Pregnancy Tea – a carefully crafted tea designed to soothe pregnancy symptoms while also promoting a healthy and strong pregnancy. 

If Your Pregnancy Test Was Negative – But You Still Think You’re Pregnant

If you have a feeling that you’re pregnant but your pregnancy test is negative, you may have taken your pregnancy test too soon. Wait a few days and then test again. 

Remember, the earliest you can take a pregnancy test is the first day after your next missed period. If your period is irregular or you’re unsure of when it should start, wait at least four weeks after having unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test. This will ensure the most accurate results. 

If you still think you may be pregnant after testing again, consider visiting your doctor for a blood test and consultation. 

If Your Pregnancy Test Was Negative – And You’re Struggling to Conceive 

If you are actively TTC (trying to conceive) but continue to see negative pregnancy test results, it’s a good idea to seek advice from your doctor. They can assess your situation and determine if there is an underlying health condition interfering with your ability to get pregnant. 

The standard advice is to see a doctor if you have been actively TTC for at least 12 months (if under the age of 35) or six months (if over the age of 35).  

If you are struggling to track ovulation or balance your hormones while TTC, we would love to support you in our Hormone Health Clinic for Fertility! Our experienced coaches can review your hormone charts and provide you with personalized, actionable advice to support your fertility goals. 

Final Thoughts

If you’d like to learn more about how pregnancy tests work, check out these articles:

• hCG Pregnancy Tests: Are They Accurate & How to Read Results
• When to Take a Pregnancy Test Based on Science and Ovulation

If you are actively TTC, you may also find our library of free webinars, ebooks, and blogs helpful for planning your pregnancy. You can also download the Mira App for free, which can assist with cycle tracking. 

Frequently Asked Questions