Pregnancy Tests Guide
Pregnancy Tests Guide
Are you suspecting that you might be pregnant? Did you miss a period and starting to feel nauseous and tired? If so, you should get a pregnancy test to find out. It is important to know if you are carrying a baby so that you can take supplements and get enough rest to ensure the baby is safe and healthy inside you.
Home Pregnancy Tests
There are many pregnancy tests available today. They function by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG which is a hormone that appears when a woman is pregnant. Depending on the type of test used, pregnancy can be detected in as early as a few days after conception. Today, there two classifications of pregnancy tests being used: home pregnancy tests (HPT) and blood tests.
Home Pregnancy Tests
These disposable testers work by detecting HCG in the urine. HPT is the most common type being used by women who suspect they might be pregnant. You can buy them at the local drugstore or supermarket for as low as a dollar each.
To use a home pregnancy test, all you need to do is prepare the tester (or stick), the urine cup and dropper (included in the HPT). You just need to collect a fresh sample of your urine in the cup and put a few drops of it in the tester. Wait for a few minutes to get the results. Depending on the brand and type of HPT used, it will indicate two lines if you are pregnant, one if you are not; positive sign if you are pregnant, negative sign if you are not; and the newer ones which are already digital would say “pregnant” if you are, and “not pregnant” if you are not.
Most pregnancy tests are accurate as long as you follow instructions carefully. It is important to note that you should never use an expired HPT. You also need to throw away used ones right after you get the results because if you check results after more than 5 minutes, it will no longer be accurate.
Blood Tests
The blood tests function by detecting HCG in the blood. This is done only in clinics and hospitals. This is probably the most accurate test to use, but is often second in popularity to HPTs as the latter are more affordable and easier to get hold of. Blood tests can detect HCG in as early as six days from ovulation. So, if you are doubtful of the results you received from an HPT, you can always get a blood test.
If you have never been pregnant before and you think that you are now, this can be quite suspenseful for you. What you can do is start with a home pregnancy test, and whatever the result may be, you can always opt to get a blood test just to be certain.
