When to Test

Most pregnancy tests are reliable from the first day of a missed period. If you're unsure when your next period is due, it's best to wait at least 21 days after unprotected sex before testing; some very sensitive tests can detect pregnancy even earlier. Urine can be tested at any time of day, not just first thing in the morning.

Getting a Test

Pregnancy tests can be bought from pharmacies and some supermarkets for a quick, private result. Free tests are also available through sexual health services, some young people's services, Brook centres (for under-25s), and sometimes through a GP.

How Tests Work

Pregnancy tests detect the hormone hCG, produced from around 6 days after fertilisation, using a stick you urinate on, with results appearing after a few minutes — always check individual product instructions, since these vary slightly. Being on the contraceptive pill or other hormonal contraception doesn't affect the accuracy of a pregnancy test, and since no method of contraception is completely effective, it's worth testing if you think you might be pregnant.

Understanding Your Result

A positive result is almost always accurate, but a negative result is less reliable, particularly if instructions weren't followed correctly, the test was taken too early, or certain medicines are being taken. If you get a negative result but still suspect you're pregnant, wait a few days and test again — if a second test is also negative but your period still hasn't arrived, it's worth speaking to a GP.

If You're Pregnant

If you're continuing with the pregnancy, it's important to notify the NHS as soon as you find out, which you can do by self-referring for pregnancy care with a midwife, and a due date calculator can help you estimate when your baby is due.

If you're unsure about continuing with the pregnancy, you can discuss this confidentially with a GP, nurse, or sexual health service — your options include continuing the pregnancy and keeping the baby, having an abortion, or continuing the pregnancy and placing the baby for adoption. From age 13, confidential advice is also available through services such as MSI Reproductive Choices, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, or the National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service, and Brook offers services specifically for people under 25.

Common Early Signs

Every pregnancy is different, and not everyone notices every symptom. For those with a regular cycle, a missed period is usually the earliest, most reliable sign, though a light bleed or spotting — known as implantation bleeding — can sometimes occur in the first few weeks instead. Feeling or being sick, often called morning sickness despite happening at any time of day, typically starts around 4 to 6 weeks; if you're unable to keep anything down at all, see a GP, since this could indicate hyperemesis gravidarum, a more serious condition needing treatment.

Feeling tired or even exhausted is common, especially in the first 12 weeks, alongside hormonal changes that can affect mood. Breasts may become larger, tender, or tingly, with more visible veins and darker nipples, and needing to pee more often, including at night, is also common. Other possible signs include constipation and increased vaginal discharge without soreness or irritation.

Changes in Taste and Smell

Many people notice changes in taste and smell early in pregnancy — this can include a metallic taste in the mouth, new food cravings, losing interest in foods or drinks previously enjoyed (such as tea, coffee, or fatty food), losing interest in smoking, or becoming more sensitive to certain smells, such as cooking.

If you're worried about any symptoms, it's always worth talking to a GP or midwife. If you get a positive home test result, this is almost always accurate provided instructions were followed correctly, and you can self-refer for NHS pregnancy care without needing to see a GP first.