What is the recommended sample type for a urine pregnancy test?

The recommended sample type for a urine pregnancy test is first morning urine because it typically contains the highest concentration of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is what the test detects. hCG is produced shortly after the implantation of a fertilized egg and is usually at its highest level in the urine during the early morning hours after a night of sleep. Collecting urine at this time increases the likelihood of obtaining a positive result if pregnancy is present, making it the most reliable sample for detecting early pregnancy.

Using random urine is less ideal because the concentration of hCG can vary throughout the day, potentially leading to false negatives if the hormone level is lower in a later sample. A 24-hour urine collection is generally used for different types of tests, such as measuring kidney function, rather than for early detection of pregnancy. Midstream urine, while a common method for collecting urine samples to reduce contaminants, does not specifically address the timing factor that makes first morning urine the preferred choice for pregnancy testing.