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Ask A Childbirth Educator
Questions and Answer

Q. How long after intercourse will an over the counter pregnancy test reveal accurate results, in other words: How much time till you can be sure you are or aren't pregnant?

A. Most over the counter pregnancy tests today can give a reliable result the day you should have gotten your period. However, false negatives do sometimes occur, so if you do not get your period after a week or two after you have a negative test result, retake the test. Many brands now come in a two-pack for this purpose. Tests today are usually up to 98-99% accurate at the time that you should be menstruating.

To increase the accuracy it is good to take the test right after you wake up in the morning. Because you have not urinated for several hours, the hCG relased in your urine if you are pregnant tends to be concentrated at that time. However, most tests today are accurate even without this precaution. Fertilization usually occurs at some point midway through your monthly cycle (roughly around day 14 of a 28 day cycle) so to answer your first question a pregnancy test should be relatively accurate about 14 days after you conceived, depending on the length of your monthly cycle and time of intercourse.

Karen Klimsak-Ungar, CCE has been a certified childbirth educator for Birth Works® since 1996. She is currently Managing Editor for the Birth Works newsletter, sits on the Birth Works Board of Directors, and serves on their National Trainee Review Committee. A happily married mother of two, she also continues to teach Birth Works classes as well as private classes.

Karen will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.