How Long Should You Pee On A Pregnancy Test?
When it comes to taking a home pregnancy test, accuracy is paramount. But how long should you wait to get your results?
The answer depends on the type of test you’re taking. According to the American Pregnancy Association, most test results can be seen within five minutes, although a few require up to 10 minutes.
What You Need to Know About Taking a Home Pregnancy Test
Home pregnancy tests are designed to detect the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). Women typically produce hCG in their bodies shortly after conception occurs. Tests either detect the hormone directly in urine or indirectly in a woman’s serum (blood). The former test is called a urine pregnancy test, and the latter test is called a blood pregnancy test.
The Role of Time in Taking a Home Pregnancy Test
The amount of time you need to wait to take a home pregnancy test depends somewhat on the type test. With a urine pregnancy test:
- Urine pregnancy tests: Urine pregnancy tests require anywhere from two to five minutes, although some of the more sensitive tests might require up to 10 minutes.
- Blood pregnancy tests Using kits such as Immunoassays for Early Pregnancy Detection (IEP) require five to 10 minutes for results.
Interpreting Your Results
Most pregnancy tests have instructions on how long you should wait to read your results. Generally, you should wait until the number of suggested minutes is up before you look at the results.
When scanning the results, look for two lines – one of which is either significantly darker or lighter than the other. Two dark lines tends to mean you’re pregnant. One line, especially a very faint line, tends to mean you’re not pregnant.
When to Re-Test Again
If you’re looking for an answer to the question, “How soon can I take another pregnancy test?” know that the answer depends on several factors.
If you’ve tested early and received a negative result, wait a few days and test again. Very faint lines can be difficult to interpret, so it’s best to wait and re-test.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember when it comes to taking a home pregnancy test is to read the directions carefully. Depending on which kind of test you take, you may need to wait several minutes between when you pee on the stick and when you read your results. If you’re looking for a definitive answer to the question, “How long should you pee on a pregnancy test,” the answer is to wait until the results appear, or until the suggested amount of minutes passes.
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