What Is A Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test is a way to determine if youre pregnant. If your pregnancy test is positive, it means youre pregnant. If the test is negative, it means you arent pregnant. Pregnancy tests work by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin , a hormone your body makes when youre pregnant.
From the very beginning of pregnancy, your body starts to go through changes to support the cells that will develop into your baby. One thing that happens very quickly is the production of HCG. If youre pregnant, your body starts to produce more HCG. Your HCG levels start to build up once the fertilized egg implants in your uterus about six to 10 days after conception.
There are two main types of pregnancy tests urine tests and blood tests. Often, youll take a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test. This type of test is available over the counter and in a variety of price ranges. Blood tests to check for pregnancy happen in your healthcare providers office and involve giving a sample of your blood. The other way to confirm a pregnancy is by using an ultrasound. Your provider performs an ultrasound in their office.
What hormone levels are checked for a pregnancy test?
Pregnancy tests look for an elevated amount of HCG. Levels of HCG rise quickly doubling every few days in the first weeks of pregnancy. The placenta produces HCG. Only pregnant people have a placenta, which develops shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine wall.
What Kind Of Pregnancy Tests Are There
There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood tests . Both tests work by detecting the presence of hCG . Once an embryo implants in the wall of the uterus, the level of hCG begins to rise . The level doubles every 37 to 48 hours . Itâs at its highest in the body at 8 to 12 weeks of pregnancy .
How Early Can Home Pregnancy Tests Show Positive Results
In the Aerosmith song Sweet Emotion, Steven Tylers lyric the rabbit done died refers to the original way a pregnancy test was performed one that literally killed rabbits. Urine from a woman who thought she might be pregnant was injected into a rabbit, which would then be surgically opened so its ovaries could be inspected. If the woman was pregnant, the rabbits ovaries would undergo noticeable changes due to the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin that develops early in gestation. The rabbit unfortunately didnt survive.
Thankfully, pregnancy tests have evolved substantially since the 20th century. Women now have access to advanced tests that can detect a pregnancy days before a missed period. In fact, a CBS News article outlined the best home pregnancy tests according to research from Consumer Reports, based on ease of use, ease of reading results, and effectiveness. Many tests today are marketed as simple and effective, but getting accurate results comes down to when the test is taken.
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How Soon Can I Use A Home Pregnancy Test
Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken before your missed period. But you may get more accurate results if you wait until after the first day of your missed period.
This is because the amount of the pregnancy hormone, called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in your urine increases with time. The earlier you take the test, the harder it is for the test to detect the hCG.
hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 10 days after conception .1
Urinepregnancy Test At Home Pregnancy Test
In a Urine Pregnancy Test , you first collect your urine sample and then with the help of a dropper add one to two drops of urine to the well of your UPT strip which then detects the hCG content in your urine. Some at-home pregnancy tests may show double vertical lines, a plus sign or even the word pregnant to indicate a positive pregnancy.
When taking a urine pregnancy test, for more accurate results, follow these steps:
- Use your first-morning urine as hCG levels are most concentrated at this time of the day. If you are taking a pregnancy test at another time of the day, make sure you havent urinated for at least 3-4 hours.
- Dont drink excessive fluids before taking a pregnancy test, as it can dilute your hCG levels.
- Read the instructions for the urine pregnancy test carefully and follow every step precisely.
You can buy urine pregnancy tests in any pharmacy or grocery without needing a prescription. Finally, other than testing too early, birth control, antibiotics, alcohol and other drugs do not affect pregnancy test results.
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The Best Time Of Day To Take A Pregnancy Test
The time of day you take a pregnancy test does matter to a certain extent. Youre more likely to get an accurate result if you take the test in the morning. This is especially true if your period is not yet late, or if your period is only a couple days late.
At-home pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin in your urine. Unless you get up in the night to pee often , your urine is more concentrated when you first wake up. This usually means that the amount of hCG is a bit higher, and youre more likely to get a positive result if youre pregnant.
However, you can still take a pregnancy test in the middle of the day, or even at night. Youre just more likely to get a false negative, especially if your period isnt that late, and especially if youve been drinking a lot of water and your urine is diluted.
How Many Days After Missed Period Can Period Pregnancy Test Be Positive
Pregnancy tests check if you blood or urine has the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone which is released after a fertilized egg is implanted on the wall of the uterus. This process takes six days after fertilization in most cases. The level of hCG continues to increase throughout pregnancy and doubles after 2-3 days. To get a positive pregnancy test, most women will have to wait 5-10 days after their period was due. Some may detect pregnancy earlier becuase hCG accumulates at different rates for different women. The two major pregnancy tests are discussed below.
1. Urine Test
A woman can take a urine test at home or at her doctors office. She can take a home test a week after missing her period and then conduct another test with the doctor to confirm the results. The advantage of home pregnancy tests is that they are convenient, easy, quick and private. Urine test products come with clear instructions that any woman can follow. Following those instructions carefully gives accurate results. Heres how to do a urine test:
- Place the tests stick in the urine stream
- Dip the tests stick in a cup full of urine
- Use a dropper to transfer urine from a cup to another container.
After a few minutes you will see a + or symbol, one or two lines or color depending on the kit. Digital urine tests give pregnant or not pregnant results. Consult your doctor or the number given on the kit if you are unsure about the results.
2. Blood Test
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My Pregnancy Test Says I Am Pregnant What Should I Do Next
If a home pregnancy test shows that you are pregnant, you should call your doctor to schedule an appointment.
Your doctor can use a blood test to tell for sure whether you are pregnant. Seeing your doctor early in your pregnancy also means you can begin prenatal care to help you and your baby stay healthy.
/5what Is The Best Time To Take A Test
Much like the day, the time of the day is also a hotly debated topic. According to experts, pregnancy tests will be the most accurate if taken in the morning, on your first pee. This is because as compared to night time, morning pee has a higher concentration of hCG hormones.
Unlike other urine tests, it is not important that you drink more water than usual. Doing so can dilute your urine, alter results and make it more likely to get to see false-positives on the test.
Goes without saying, if you see a negative result or observe false positives, you can repeat the test.
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When Should You Take A Blood Pregnancy Test
Depending on a woman’s cycle, a blood test can detect pregnancy between 6 and 14 days after conception.
Blood tests for pregnancy are more sensitive to hCG than home pregnancy tests. They can detect this hormone in low quantities and tell you if you’re pregnant sooner than a home test.
While blood tests can provide results sooner than home pregnancy tests, they are usually more expensive and take longer to provide results because the blood must be sent to a lab for analysis.
If the lab is in-house then it will take a few hours. But if the lab is at a different location, it could take several days to learn the results.
When A Blood Test Is Used
If your period is late by several days, and youre still getting negative at-home pregnancy tests, a blood test may be recommended. While rare, it is possible to get a negative test result on an at-home test but still be pregnant. If this is your situation, call your doctor, and dont just order a test on your own. There are other reasons besides pregnancy that your period may be late.
You dont necessarily need a blood test to confirm a positive at-home pregnancy test. If the at-home test said youre pregnant, youre likely pregnant. That said, your doctor might still order one, especially if you request it.
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What About Early Pregnancy Tests
Early pregnancy test manufacturers market to your desire to get answers as early as possible. It is not hard to see the advertising on the box and read the claims of 99% accuracy along with the ability to detect pregnancy six days before your missed period.
But let us take a closer look, so you do not test too early for pregnancy. The first thing to consider is that the percentage provided on the front of the package is only accurate when you take the test on the day of your expected period and in a laboratory setting by professionals. The same goes for the the instructions printed inside the pregnancy test kit the claims of accuracy are elevated because they do not reflect real-life testing in real-life situations. The results from a University of New Mexico study reveal the chances you can anticipate getting the right answer from an early home pregnancy test:
- One day past your expected period: 100% of pregnancies detected
- On the day of your expected period: 96% of pregnancies detected
- On the day before your expected period: 93% of pregnancies detected
- Two days before your expected period: 81% of pregnancies detected
- Three days before your expected period: 68% of pregnancies detected
- Four days before your expected period: 42% of pregnancies detected
- Five days before your expected period: 33% of pregnancies detected
- Six days before your expected period: 25% of pregnancies detected
If You Want To Be Extra Cautious You Can Take Two Covid Tests
If youre past the 10-day mark and no longer symptomatic, but youre feeling anxious about potentially spreading the virus to a loved one, there are things you can do.
You can take two COVID tests 48 hours apart, Vyas said. If theyre both negative, you can fairly certain that youre not contagious anymore.
She added that most people wont need to do this as long as they follow the 10-day guidance. But if youre nervous about passing on the virus, this is a good tactic.
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Changes In Bathroom Habits
Bowel and bladder symptoms can appear in early pregnancy. A person might experience frequent urges to urinate during the day and night. They may also have constipation, which affects of people at some time during pregnancy, according to 2012 research.
In the early stages of pregnancy, the rise in hCG levels
8 days after conception. As the pregnancy progresses, levels rise by around 50% a day. HGC is detectable in urine a few days later than in the blood.
Tests for home use are urine tests. A person will need to go to a healthcare facility for a blood test.
A range of pregnancy tests are available for home use, and some are more sensitive than others. This means they can detect hCG at lower levels.
Many tests claim to be 99% accurate, but experts note that not all of them undergo rigorous scientific testing. A person may also get a false-negative result if they take the test too early, do not follow the instructions precisely, or do not handle the test as the manufacturer intended.
Some medical bodies suggest taking a test on the first day of a missed period, but many people do not know when their period should arrive, for example, if they experience irregular menstruation.
When taking a test, a person should:
- read the instructions carefully
- ensure they handle the test as advised
- try to avoid taking the test too early
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How Soon Can You Take A Blood Test For Pregnancy
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While a missed period is often the first clue that a woman is pregnant, some women experience symptoms sooner, including headaches, fatigue, and/or breast tenderness. Of course, these symptoms can also be signs of an imminent period, resulting in uncertainty and a range of emotions until a woman finds out for certain if shes pregnant.
Thehormone human chorionic gonadotropin is detected in the urine or blood only when a woman is pregnant. Therefore, it is the basis of all pregnancy tests. The cells that surround the growing embryo and eventually form the placenta produce hCG, making it important in the early stages of pregnancy. Production of hCG begins after the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus, and it builds up in the body during the first trimester. In addition, hCG ensures that the temporary endocrine gland produced after ovulation continues to produce progesterone during the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Is It Possible To Get A False
Yes, but this is rare . After a positive pregnancy test you should book a follow-up with your healthcare provider .
If youâve had a positive result followed by a negative result a few days later, it could be indicative of a chemical pregnancy. This is not a false-positive: it is a very early pregnancy loss soon after implantation . Chemical pregnancies are common and are estimated to account for between 8% and 33% of all pregnancies . An accurate number is difficult to determine since most chemical pregnancies occur before a person even realizes they are pregnant .
If you are using assisted reproductive technologies to conceive, or have received an injection of hCG, be sure to take a home pregnancy test on the day your healthcare provider advises, as taking it too early may result in a false-positive .
The Best Time In Your Cycle To Take A Pregnancy Test
After you become pregnant, it takes some time for hCG to increase to a detectable level.
The best time to take a pregnancy test is after your period is late. If you dont want to wait until youve missed your period, at least wait for one to two weeks after you had sex to take a test.
Everyone’s fertile window is different, depending on when they ovulate.
Menstrual bleeding typically begins 14 days after ovulation. People who ovulate on day 14 usually expect their period on day 28 or 29. People who ovulate later in the month may not expect their period until day 31 or later.
Its best to wait until the time you are sure youve missed a period to take a pregnancy test. If you are unsure when you ovulate, you can try ovulation test kits or track your basal body temperature.
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Best Time Of Day To Take A Pregnancy Test
Taking a pregnancy test first thing in the morning gives you a better chance of getting an accurate result. Assuming you have not been waking up to drink a lot of water through the night, your urine will be more concentrated right when you wake up.
More concentrated urine means there will be a build-up or higher content of hCG in it if you are pregnantespecially if you are testing before your period is expected or just a day or two late.
When you are farther along in pregnancy, there is a greater chance of the test detecting hCG at any time in the day.
How To Tell If A Test Is Not Needed
Some people experience menstrual irregularities, breast changes, and other pregnancy-type symptoms without being pregnant. These can happen for a variety of reasons.
Possible biological factors include hormonal changes due to another health condition. Psychological and social factors can sometimes play a role.
In rare cases, a person can have pseudocyesis, sometimes called false pregnancy, where they firmly believe themselves to be pregnant and have signs of pregnancy without being pregnant. This condition is not well understood and can happen for various reasons.
Anyone who has signs of pregnancy but is unlikely to be pregnant, for example, because of menopause, should seek medical advice. They may have a health condition that needs medical treatment.
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