What does a pregnancy test actually detect?
Home pregnancy tests look for a pregnancy hormone called hCG. A hormone is a chemical message made by the body.
After a pregnancy starts growing in the womb, the body begins making hCG. The amount usually rises quickly early in pregnancy.
After a while, enough of the hormone passes into your urine for a home test to find it.
In simple terms
A pregnancy test is asking: “Is there enough pregnancy hormone in this urine for me to detect?”
This is why the timing of your test matters. If you test very early, you may already be pregnant but your hCG level may still be too low for the test to detect.
When should I take a pregnancy test?
Pregnancy tests are generally most reliable from around the time your period is due.
If your period is already late, you can usually test at any time of the day.
If you are testing early
Some pregnancy tests can find smaller amounts of the pregnancy hormone and may be used before your expected period.
However, the earlier you test, the greater the chance of getting a negative result even though you are pregnant.
Testing very early?
Use your first urine after waking if possible. The pregnancy hormone may be easier for the test to find at this time.
Avoid drinking large amounts of water immediately before testing, particularly when testing before or around the time your period is due. Too much water can weaken the urine and make a very early pregnancy harder to find.
What if the test is negative but my period does not come?
You may simply have tested too early.
Repeat the test after a few days. If your period still does not arrive, or you remain concerned that you may be pregnant, speak to a healthcare professional.
Pregnancy symptoms can offer clues—but they cannot confirm pregnancy.
Every pregnancy is different. You may notice several changes, only one, or no symptoms at all. Many early pregnancy symptoms can also happen before a period or because of another health condition.
A missed or lighter period
A missed period is often the earliest useful clue when your cycles are regular. Stress, illness, contraception and cycle changes can also make a period late.
Breast and nipple changes
Your breasts may feel tender, swollen or tingly, and your nipples may look darker. These changes can feel similar to the days before a period.
Nausea, tiredness or new sensitivities
You may feel sick, unusually tired, sensitive to smells, need to urinate more often or notice changes in taste and appetite.
Mild cramps or pelvic discomfort
Some people notice mild period-like cramps. Pain is not a reliable way to diagnose pregnancy, and severe, worsening or one-sided pelvic pain needs urgent assessment.
Vaginal discharge or light spotting
There may be more clear or milky-white vaginal discharge. Light spotting can occur, but bleeding can have many causes and should be assessed if it concerns you.
Milk-like nipple discharge
Milk or nipple discharge does not confirm pregnancy and can have other causes, including medicines or hormone changes. Ask for medical advice if it is unexpected, persistent, bloody, from one breast or accompanied by a lump.
The test matters more than the symptom list.
If pregnancy is possible, take a urine test at the appropriate time. A healthcare professional can help if your symptoms and test result do not seem to match.
Get help with my symptomsHow do I use a home pregnancy test?
Different brands work slightly differently, so always read the instructions that come with your particular pregnancy test.
Most tests involve either holding the absorbent tip in your urine stream or collecting urine in a clean container and dipping the test into it.
Check the instructions
Different tests require different amounts of urine and different waiting times.
Take the test
Either urinate onto the test or dip it into collected urine, depending on the manufacturer's instructions.
Wait
Place the test on a flat surface if instructed and wait for the recommended time.
Read the result at the correct time
Do not interpret the test much later than the instructions recommend, as evaporation lines can sometimes cause confusion.
How do I read a pregnancy test?
Positive
A positive test usually means the pregnancy hormone was found and you are likely to be pregnant.
Negative
A negative result means the test did not find enough pregnancy hormone. If you tested early, repeat the test after a few days.
Unclear or invalid
If the test does not show that it worked, or you cannot clearly read the result, use a new test.
What if the positive line is very faint?
A faint second line that appears within the time stated in the instructions can still represent a positive pregnancy test.
Early in pregnancy there may be only a small amount of pregnancy hormone in the urine, so the test line may be lighter.
If you are uncertain, repeat the test after a few days or speak to a healthcare professional.
A pregnancy test cannot tell you everything.
A positive pregnancy test tells you that you are likely pregnant. It does not tell you exactly how many weeks pregnant you are and it cannot confirm where the pregnancy is located.
Sometimes a urine test is only the first step.
Most people can begin with a home urine test. Depending on the timing, result, symptoms and pregnancy history, a healthcare professional may recommend a blood test, an ultrasound or both.
Urine pregnancy test
Detects the pregnancy hormone hCG in urine. It is convenient and usually reliable from around the time a period is due, but testing too early can give a negative result.
Blood hCG test
Can measure the amount of hCG in your blood. Sometimes the test is repeated to see how the level changes. A blood result cannot by itself confirm where the pregnancy is located.
Ultrasound scan
Can help confirm whether a pregnancy is inside the womb and estimate how far along it may be. If it is very early, the scan may not show enough yet and a repeat scan or blood test may be needed.
Not sure which test you need?
A healthcare professional can review your dates, symptoms and results, then provide a referral for an appropriate blood test or ultrasound scan when clinically indicated.
Which pregnancy test should I buy?
Most pharmacy pregnancy tests work in a similar way by finding the pregnancy hormone in urine.
If your period is already late, an ordinary reputable pharmacy pregnancy test is usually a reasonable choice.
What about Clearblue?
Clearblue offers several pregnancy tests, including tests designed for early detection and digital tests that display the result in words.
An early-detection test can be particularly useful if you are testing before or close to the date your period is expected.
Digital tests can also make the result easier to interpret if you are worried about whether a line is present.
You don't have to buy the most expensive test.
If your period is already late, many standard pharmacy pregnancy tests can provide a reliable result when used correctly.
Where can I buy a pregnancy test?
Pregnancy tests are widely available in South Africa and you usually do not need a prescription.
Dis-Chem
Pregnancy tests are usually available in the family planning or women's health section of the pharmacy.
Clicks
Clicks generally stocks both standard pregnancy tests and early-detection or digital options.
Your local pharmacy
Most community and independent pharmacies stock home pregnancy tests. You can ask the pharmacist if you need help choosing one.
Pregnancy tests are also sometimes available from supermarkets and online retailers.
What should I do next?
If your test is positive
Your next step is usually to work out approximately how far along the pregnancy is. This is normally estimated using the first day of your last menstrual period.
You have choices. You can continue the pregnancy, consider adoption, or consider ending the pregnancy. Take the time you need to understand each path.
See my pregnancy options Calculate my pregnancy datesIf your test is negative
If your period has not arrived, repeat the test after a few days. If repeated tests remain negative and your period is still absent, a healthcare professional can help you think about possible reasons and whether you need more tests.
Get help with my resultIf you are not sure what the result means
Repeat the test with a new test kit. If the result is still unclear, a healthcare professional can help you understand it and advise you about the next step.
Get help understanding my resultWhen do I need an emergency room?
Online consultations are for non-emergency questions. It is not an emergency room and cannot provide emergency treatment. Some symptoms need immediate, in-person care.
- Severe or worsening abdominal or pelvic pain
- Significant pain mainly on one side
- Fainting, collapse or severe dizziness
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Shoulder-tip pain together with abdominal pain or feeling faint
- Feeling severely unwell
Do not wait for an online appointment if you have these symptoms. A home pregnancy test cannot show whether a pregnancy is growing inside the womb. Emergency clinicians can examine you and arrange the tests or treatment you may need.
No emergency symptoms, but still worried?
Use an online consultation if you feel well enough and need help understanding a result, a missed period or what to do next.
Consult with a professional