How Do Pregnancy Tests Work
When you take a pregnancy test, its looking for the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in your body. You can find hCG in your urine or blood. However, this chemical needs time to build up in your body, which can cause very early pregnancy tests to come back negative. Each day of early pregnancy, your body will create more hCG. As the weeks go on, youll have more and more hCG in your body, which will make it more likely that a pregnancy test will show as positive.
Pregnancy tests work by reacting to the amount of hCG in either your urine or blood. In a urine test, a piece of reactive paper detects the hCG. This might then show a plus sign, double vertical lines or even the word pregnant. Different tests will show a positive result in unique ways. Read the directions that come with the test to know what a positive result will look like. On the test, there will also be a control window that will show up first. Seeing a symbol in this window will tell you that the test is working. Keep in mind that different brands of tests will take different amounts of time to process.
If you take a blood test, your provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to a lab. The lab will determine the amount of hCG is in your blood.
Other Causes Of A Missed Period
A missed period can occur for many reasons, including:
- Period delay: If a woman ovulates a few days later than usual, this may delay her period by a few days.
- Hormone disorders: Numerous conditions can cause hormonal imbalances that delay ovulation, or even suppress it, resulting in a missed period.
- An early pregnancy loss: A chemical pregnancy, or early pregnancy loss, can sometimes cause a positive test that a negative test then follows. In some cases, the late period that occurs is an early pregnancy loss.
- Malnourishment: Women who are very underweight or eating too few calories may not ovulate, which can cause their periods to disappear. Doctors refer to this as amenorrhea.
- Perimenopause: A woman entering menopause may ovulate less frequently, causing fewer periods. This stage is known as perimenopause.
How Much Are Pregnancy Tests
Buying a multitude of pregnancy tests can get expensive, especially if you are testing too early. There are tests at the dollar stores for a dollar, or you could buy one test at a superstore or grocery store for $3-$4. Some tests come in packs of twos or threes and can range from $10-$15.
Pregnancy tests can also be found online. Testing strips can be as little as $0.32 each and are usually sold in bulk.
Clinics may give pregnancy tests for free. Health care professionals may also give blood tests, which should be covered by insurance.
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Second Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms
Most of the first trimester continues to the second trimester may up and down which varies from woman to woman. The Symptoms like nausea and vomiting start going away.
- Your abdomen expands further as the baby grows
- You will start feeling baby movement at the end of the second trimester
- The color of your nipples begins to darken from pinkish to black and enlarge.
- Backache, Bodyache, thigh pain, and groin pain are very common in the second trimester
- Stretch marks on the abdomen, Back, or Thighs
- Darkening of the skin around the nipples
- Swelling of face, fingers, and ankles
- A dark line on the skin from the umbilical area or belly button to the pubic hairline
- Melasma patches of darker skin around lips, nose, face, cheeks, or forehead
- Numb hand or tingling sensation in hands
Similarities Between Pms Vs Pregnancy Symptoms And Signs
For many women, the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy can resemble those of her approaching menstrual period or PMS. In fact, it is not possible to tell from early symptoms alone if a woman is pregnant or having symptoms related to her upcoming menstrual period.
The most similar common signs and symptoms that these conditions share include:
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First Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms
The body of a pregnant woman undergoes many hormonal changes during the first trimester of pregnancy. These hormonal changes start happening even in the very first week of pregnancy and trigger signs and symptoms in the early weeks.
Increased frequency of urination
Frequent urination or frequent trips to the bathroom can be the first symptoms of pregnancy even you miss a period. You may notice that you are urinating more frequently.
Fatigue and Tiredness
Many women feel fatigued and extremely tired in the early weeks of pregnancy. The level of Progesterone hormone increases in early pregnancy which causes tiredness and fatigue. Fatigue improves in the second trimester but comes back in the third trimester in many women.
Light Headedness
Light headaches, dizziness, and a feeling of-headedness are very common in early pregnancy. This happens because of hormonal changes in your body and increasing blood volume.
Nausea and Vomitings
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy vary from woman to woman. It can happen in a very early stage even in the first weeks of pregnancy after conception. But in a few women, it can start a few months after the pregnancy or conception. Nausea is very common but if you vomit a lot, it can lead to dehydration which is a problem and can cause medical attention. Excessive vomiting during pregnancy is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum and if you experienced it you should contact your gynecologist.
Oversensitivity to Smell and Craving for certain food
Mood swings
What Precautions Should You Take During Early Pregnancy
Even if you havenât spotted any signs of pregnancy very early on, youâll want to do everything you can to stay healthy and safe. In fact, itâs always wise to take some precautions as soon as you start trying to conceive or learn that youâre pregnant.Even simple adjustments can help support you as you start your pregnancy! Though youâll want to consult your healthcare provider to determine whatâs best for you, some worthwhile lifestyle changes and precautions include
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taking folic acid.
When you start trying for a baby or learn that youâre pregnant, folic acid is essential, as itâs a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of certain birth defects that affect the babyâs brain and spine. Your healthcare provider can recommend a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Pre-pregnancy is also a great time to eliminate some less healthy habits, including
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exposure to secondhand smoke
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drinking alcohol.
In addition, your provider may recommend limiting your daily consumption of caffeine. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best ways to stay healthy and safe when youâre pregnant. For more general advice, download our pregnancy guide!
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The Big List Of Symptoms To Look Out For
Here is a list of symptoms that CAN mean early pregnancy. These may appear during the two weeks between doing the deed and whenever your period normally shows her face.
I say that they CAN with a huge pinch of salt, because they could also be regular symptoms associated with ovulation and menstruation:
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How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed
An ectopic pregnancy is typically diagnosed during an appointment in your healthcare providers office. Your provider will perform several tests to first confirm a pregnancy, and then look for the ectopic pregnancy. These tests include:
- A urine test: This test involves either urinating on a test strip or urinating into a cup in your providers office and then having a test strip dipped into the urine sample.
- A blood test: You provider may test your blood to see how much of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin you have in your body. This hormone is produced during pregnancy. You may also hear this called your serum beta-hCG level.
- An ultrasound exam: An imaging test, an ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of your bodys internal structures. Ultrasound is often used during pregnancy. Your provider will use this test to see where the fertilized egg has implanted.
Once your provider has confirmed the pregnancy and determined where the fertilized egg has implanted, a treatment plan will be created. Ectopic pregnancy is an emergency and treatment for this condition is very important.
If your fallopian tube ruptures, you will need to go to the emergency room and be treated immediately. In those cases, theres no time to wait for an appointment.
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Is There Anything I Can Look For
Probably the most reliable physical symptom of early pregnancy is a missed period. Noticing that your breasts are getting increasingly sore, or experiencing symptoms that you dont usually get around the time of your period, are also signs that you could be pregnant. But again, a blood test will be the best way to know for sure.
What Are The Different Types Of Pregnancy Tests
There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood tests. Urine tests are typically done at home though you can have a urine test done at your healthcare providers office while blood tests are done by your provider.
At-home pregnancy test
An at-home test usually uses your urine to look for hCG in your body. According to most manufacturers, at-home pregnancy tests are about 99% effective when used as instructed. Thats about the same accuracy rate as urine pregnancy tests done in your healthcare providers office. These tests are available in most pharmacies or grocery stores and they dont need a prescription. They can take different amounts of time depending on the brand. Its important to read the instructions on these tests before taking them.
When you go to take an at-home pregnancy test, youll typically place one to several drops of urine on a prepared chemical strip or place the strip in the urine stream. The strip is specially-designed to detect hCG. For many of these tests, hCG can be detected in your urine about 10 days after conception. However, taking it after your missed period reduces the chance of getting a false-negative.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you take a home pregnancy tests, including:
Blood test
A blood test for pregnancy might be done in special circumstances, such as for women who are having infertility treatments or when the healthcare provider thinks there might be a problem.
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Have You Been Feeling Nauseous
- A: Ugh, just thinking about fish or looking at raw chicken makes me want to vomit.
- B: Nah, I have a stomach of steel.
If you answered A: Is your period a couple of weeks late, too? It could point to pregnancy! You may very well be experiencing the first throes of morning sickness due to changing hormone levels that make your sniffer more sensitive and relax the muscles of your digestive tract.
If you answered B: Fortunately, your meals arent bothering you, but keep in mind that morning sickness can pop up as late as the 9-week mark, so nausea later on is still possible.
How To Know If Youre Pregnant
Nausea and fatigue. Headaches and bloating. Early signs and symptoms of pregnancy do not always tell the complete picture. If you think you are pregnant, the most reliable and accurate way to confirm it is with a pregnancy test. See a healthcare provider or ob-gyn to determine pregnancy with a blood test or urine test that accurately measures the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin .
At NewYork-Presbyterian, our expert doctors provide comprehensive pregnancy testing to help you confirm a positive pregnancy. NewYork-Presbyterian doctors and ob-gyns are here to provide personalized prenatal and maternal health services at every stage of pregnancy for your best care.
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Early Pregnancy Symptoms Signs Before Your Missed Period
You are trying to get pregnant and you want to know right away when your tries turn into successes. The initial pregnancy symtoms signs can be recognized before a pregnancy test is positive and before a missed period. The human body starts changing as soon as the egg and sperm meet and greet, so look and feel closely and you will know you are pregnant.
How Early Do Signs Of Pregnancy Start
If unprotected sexual intercourse took place around the time of ovulation , the probability of conception is very high. Although, the moment of conception often doesnt equal the moment of having intercourse. An egg can be fertilized by the sperm as soon as three minutes after sex or within the next 3-5 days. It depends on the exact time of the ovulation.
After conception, the fertilized egg has to implant in the uterus. Without implantation, there wont be a pregnancy.
Six to ten days after conception, when implantation has taken place, the embryo starts producing hormones right away. It signals a pregnancy to the mothers body. At that point, a woman can start noticing the earliest symptoms of pregnancy.
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What Is A Due Date Calculator
A due date calculator helps you estimate when your baby will be born. By calculating your due date, youll have an idea of your babys birthday. But keep in mind that your due date is only an estimate. Very few babies are actually born on the day they were due.
Knowing your due date is important for several reasons. It helps you plan and prepare for your babys arrival. It also gives your provider essential information they need to monitor your health and your babys health.
You can calculate your due date at home using a couple of different methods. But these methods arent always accurate. When you visit your provider, they may give you a different due date based on the size of your baby on ultrasound and the date of your last period.
Final Thoughts: Things To Keep In Mind
The bottom line is that without a blood test, its nearly impossible to know for sure whether youre pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so its really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period.
If youre paying attention to your symptoms, just know that it can get a little stressful for some women. So if you find yourself symptom spotting, try to be aware of how often you do it, and how you feel does it distract you or stress you out? If it starts to get emotionally taxing for you, look for ways to stop paying attention to your symptoms.
Finally, make sure youve scheduled a pregnancy blood test, and keep taking your prenatal vitamins! Whether its sooner or later, when you get that BFP, youll be glad you did!
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Pregnancy Symptoms Vs Pms Symptoms
Pregnancy symptoms often mimic PMS symptoms. For example, fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness can be symptoms of both pregnancy and PMS.
But if youre pregnant, there may be some telltale signs that its not PMS. For example, you may experience implantation bleeding.
This is light spotting or bleeding that occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception, usually about a week before your period would usually start. This bleeding will be lighter and stop after one to three days.
Other symptoms like breast tenderness, bloating, and cramps could be symptoms of either PMS or pregnancy. Until you can take a home pregnancy test, it will be difficult to tell what is causing these symptoms.
Pregnancy Symptoms Vs Period: Learn The Different Symptoms Between Pregnancy And Period
Trying to conceive a baby can be an exciting, frustrating, and mystifying experience.
Conversely, having a pregnancy scare when you are not actively trying to conceive can induce a lot of anxiety and worry.
Since period symptoms and pregnancy symptoms before a missed period can be so similar, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.
Many women wonder about the difference between pregnancy symptoms vs period symptoms, and exactly how early they can tell if they have become pregnant.
While a late or missed period is the first indicator for many women, depending on where you are in your cycle, you may notice symptoms of pregnancy before a missed period.
Learn some key differences and indicators that can signal early pregnancy.
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