11 things to know before taking pregnancy tests

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Taking a pregnancy test can be a nerve-wracking and exciting experience. When so much is riding on the outcome, it pays to know everything you can to ensure you're getting accurate results. 

Here are a few key facts about pregnancy tests and how to use them to get the most accurate result possible.

First, here's how pregnancy tests actually work.

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According to the Mayo Clinic, home pregnancy tests work by looking for the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG for short. This hormone is rapidly produced in early pregnancy.

A home pregnancy test can detect elevated levels of hCG 12 to 14 days after conception.

The longer you wait to take a test, the more accurate your result will be.

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It can feel nearly impossible to wait to take a pregnancy test. But you're more likely to get an accurate result if you're patient.

The Mayo Clinic advises that you "wait until after the first day of your missed period or, better yet, one week after your missed period."

If you are pregnant, the level of hCG in your urine doubles every two to three days. Waiting means that you waste fewer pregnancy tests and avoid getting an inaccurate reading the first time around.

You should test first thing in the morning.

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Using a pregnancy test first thing in the morning will help you get an accurate answer.

"By using urine from the first thing in the morning you actually have more of the hormone (hCG) that the test is looking for built up in your urine. This makes it more likely to get an accurate test reading," Dr. Robin Elise Weiss told Verywell Family.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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