What, When and How of Pregnancy Tests
What, when and how of Pregnancy Tests
Did you miss your period? Are you getting a hunch that you are pregnant? Do not fret anymore. Take a pregnancy test and put your worries to rest.
What is a pregnancy test?
A pregnancy test attempts to determine whether or not a woman is pregnant. Indicative markers are found in blood and urine, and pregnancy tests require sampling one of these substances. You can either do it with a home pregnancy test kit which are easily available at local drug stores or your doctor can conduct a blood test at their clinic.
How do home pregnancy tests work?
Home pregnancy tests can tell you if you're pregnant by detecting the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your urine. The amount of HCG in your body increases when the fertilized egg starts to implant in the lining of your uterus. When a test detects the hormone in your urine, it will show you a positive result.
Blood test
A blood test can be a more accurate and detailed way to confirm pregnancy. However, a healthcare professional will need to administer this. It allows for early pregnancy detection, and it can measure HCG concentration.
Nowadays, many women prefer to take a test on their own at home as it is usually accurate, easier and inexpensive as well. So, in this article we will be discussing all about home pregnancy tests.
When to take a home pregnancy test
The earliest time for taking a home pregnancy test is 14 days after possible conception, but waiting until a missed period will give a more reliable result. Some tests on the market can be taken earlier. This depends on how sensitive they are. It is important to read the package insert to know the best and earliest time to take the test.
How does a home pregnancy test work?
A pregnancy test works by measuring the amount of HCG hormone. HCG levels increase during pregnancy. It is determined by the urine. HCG can be present in the blood and urine around 10 to 14 days after conception. It peaks between 8 and 11 weeks of gestation.
A home test involves placing the urine on a chemical strip. The result is ready in around 1 to 2 minutes, although different brands of test may vary in the result times.
The individual collects urine in a container and either dips the pregnancy test stick into it or uses an dropper to place the sample on the test strip.
Alternatively, a pregnancy stick can be held in the urine stream.
Each brand of testing has its own way of giving results, so it is important to read the instructions to understand how it works.
How to read the results?
Once again, every brand of test has a different way of determining results. Read the instructions carefully to avoid any confusion. Generally, there is a common way to understand the results.
- Some tests change color to determine pregnancy.
- In some tests, colored lines appear on the stick denoting a positive or negative result.
- Some tests give out the answer in a test window, for example, the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant".
It is recommended that in either cases – positive or negative (but if you have signs of pregnancy),you must consult your healthcare professional who will guide you with the further steps.
Pregnancy tests are easily available at drugstores, pharmacies, and some convenience stores. Nowadays, you could also order them online and it gets delivered to you at the comfort of your home. They are inexpensive and are 99% accurate as well.