When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

Updated on January 06, 2009
S.K. asks from Minneapolis, MN
5 answers

Hello! Before I went on the Pill my periods were super irregular. I would have my period about 3 times a year, never knowing when it would come. Every 28 days or so I would have all of the common PMS symptoms (bloating, cramps, etc) but wouldn't bleed. I didn't worry about it because I wasn't sexually active at the time. When I am on the Pill I get my period every 28 days, no issues. When we were ready to try for a baby, I went off the Pill and used condoms for 3 months, to try to figure out a schedule of when to try.I pretty much relied on taking my temp every AM and TTC when it showed I was ovulating. I got pregnant on the first month of trying. That was 2 years ago.

Now, I just went off the Pill, planning to do the same thing: use a back-up method for a few months and really start to try in March. Well, we slipped a few times and had sex without any birth control. I should get my period today if I stay on the 28-day Pill cycle, but nothing yet. I am feeling crampy, but I also was 2 weeks ago. When should I take a preg test? I don't want to rush out since my body may still be figuring things out, but if I am preg, I want to know. Ideas? Are all home preg tests the same or is there a brand you recommend? Sorry for the long story :)

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K.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

The first test I always used was the dollar store ones. That way I was only wasting a dollar. If that came back postive then I would go and buy a name brand to comfirm it. I never got a wrong reading on the dollar store test.
Good luck
K.

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P.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

With both my kids I tried pregnancy tests 9-11 days past ovulation and got nothing and with both kids on 12 days past ovulation I got a faint positive. I'm on a 28 day period schedule and most always ovulate on day 13-15 mostly day 14 though. Look at your last cycle and pinpoint day 1 of your cycle and then count to day 14 and assume that's your ovulation day and then count day 14 day 15 as 1 day past ovulation until you hit day 12 or 14 and take a test then. Does that make sense? Generally, just test 2-3 days past your scheduled period. I used the First Response to get my early results with both kids.

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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

S.,

I always got a positive pregnancy test on the day my period was due, so I'd say, if you were supposed to get it today, I'd take a test! :) I always just used EPT or something from Target with good results.

Good luck!
Jessica

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J.F.

answers from Rochester on

My periods have always been irregular. They range from coming every two weeks to every nine weeks. Planning a pregnancy is like trying to hit the lotto. It drives me nuts! ><

When my husband and I suspected we were pregnant last fall, I took a pregnancy test every Friday (starting the day after my period was late) for four weeks, and they all came back negative. After the fifth week, I finally got it. Like you, I had gone off of regular birth control and was just using condoms as a back up. I guess my body just takes longer than most to get back in the swing of things. I would suggest taking your temperature every morning when you wake up. When you ovulate, your base body temp will be about .8 -.9 degrees higher than normal. If you're planning to get pregnant in March, you have a few months left to note what days your temperature is higher so you'll know when the time is right.

As far as a brand I prefer, I've always used E.P.T. which is the same most hospitals use when you go in for a test. I know generic brands will tell you just the same, but it's a tried-and-true brand for me, and I don't mind paying the extra few bucks for that peace of mind. :) Give your body a few weeks to even itself out and go from there. Good luck, and pre-congrats on Baby #2!! :)

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