Even if you've hoped and planned for this, you may experience some doubts. Do I really want a child? Is this the right time? Talking things over with your husband or partner will help you sort things out.
When can I find out if I'm pregnant?
The easiest way to find out if you're pregnant is with a store-bought pregnancy test. You can use most tests starting the day after you've missed your period, although research indicates that if you wait to take the test until a week after your period is late, you'll get the most accurate result. You may want to take the test when you’re both present, so that you can share the experience — good or bad.
How do pregnancy tests work?
All pregnancy tests check for the hormone hCG in your body. This hormone is produced when the fertilized egg is attached in the uterus — in other words, it’s only present if you’re pregnant. The level of hCG is highest around the 8th or 10th week of pregnancy and reduces gradually toward your due date. Read more about hCG.
Pregnancy tests are easy to use, but there are a number of them available on the market, and they don't all work the same. Your best bet is to follow the instructions in the box. Most tests consist of a stick that you pee on, or that you dip into urine. The results are displayed differently from test to test; some appear as a line, others as a plus sign. If you're one of those people who don't like to follow instructions, make an exception this time: In this case, it really is best to read the details.
Can I trust the results of my pregnancy test?
Pregnancy tests are considered about 99 percent accurate if done correctly. If the test is positive, chances are, you’re pregnant! You should contact your OB/GYN or midwife to have a check-up and to confirm the results.
If the test is negative, and you're sure you're checking at the right time of the month, you're most likely not pregnant. Here's where waiting a week to take the home test is a good idea: If you ovulated later than usual or later than you calculated, the level of hCG could still be too low for to show up on a pregnancy test. If you still haven't gotten your period in a few days, you may want to take another test.