Here’s How Taking a Pregnancy Test at Night Might Affect Results

Are you eagerly anticipating the results of a pregnancy test? If so, you may be curious about the optimal time to take a pregnancy test.

If you decide to test early, especially before your missed period, it is recommended to use morning urine for the test. This is because the urine is more concentrated in the morning, containing higher levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), the pregnancy hormone. While it is possible to take a pregnancy test at night, using diluted evening urine may lead to false negative results, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy.

Continue reading to discover more about the implications of taking a pregnancy test at night, including the factors that could impact the accuracy of nighttime pregnancy tests.

Are Pregnancy Tests Accurate At Night?

Typically, yes. The accuracy of pregnancy tests taken at night is usually not affected, except in cases where the pregnancy is in its early stages and the body is producing low levels of hCG.

Staying hydrated during the day may lead to diluted urine at night, potentially causing “false negative” results if the hCG levels are too low for detection. However, around the time of a missed period, hCG levels should be high enough for a positive result on a pregnancy test, even if taken at night.

Therefore, if you are considering taking a pregnancy test at night and have already missed your period, you can generally rely on the results to be accurate.

hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is only produced during pregnancy, starting when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. In the initial stages of pregnancy, the levels of hCG double every few days.

Factors That Could Affect Nighttime Pregnancy Test Results

The timing of testing is crucial, as detecting pregnancy early on, closer to ovulation, may be more challenging. According to Dr. Amanda Adeleye, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at Roon, the embryo typically implants about a week after ovulation, so testing too soon may result in a negative outcome.

Various factors can influence the accuracy of pregnancy testing, such as:

The Best Time to Take a Pregnancy Test

At-home pregnancy tests detect levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine, requiring a minimum threshold (typically 25 mIU/mL) to show a positive result.

Thus, The Positive Parent, as well as healthcare providers, suggest using first morning urine (FMU) for pregnancy tests. Overnight, hCG levels become concentrated, making early morning urine ideal for accurate results.

What to Do About Pregnancy Test Results

If The Positive Parent receives a negative result they believe may be inaccurate, it is recommended to retest the following morning or a few mornings later. According to Dr. Adeleye, a positive test indicates pregnancy and confirms that The Positive Parent has progressed enough to yield a positive result.

To promote a healthy pregnancy, The Positive Parent should consider beginning prenatal vitamins if they are not already taking them, cease alcohol and tobacco consumption, and arrange a consultation with their OB-GYN.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. StatPearls [Internet]. Updated 2023.

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