Knowledge of At-Home Pregnancy Tests: A Comprehensive Guide
You might be pregnant!
There’s a chance of error even with the most efficient birth control. It only takes one sperm for the egg to be fertilized. You can easily find out if this has happened by using an OTC pregnancy test.
OTC pregnancy test typically tests your urine for a hormone called human Chorionic Gonadotropin. HCG can only be detected if you are pregnant. The hormone is released only if the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine or external lining.
You Can Collect Urine in Different Ways. You May Need To:
- Collect your urine into a cup, and dip the testing stick in it.
- Use an eyedropper and a cup to collect urine. Then, use the container provided with a special container to transfer a small amount.
- Place the stick in the middle of the expected urine stream.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, most tests are effective at 99 percent if they are taken after a missed period. You can perform the test in your home. You can view your results by simply opening the test and following the instructions.
The Results Will be Displayed in One of Three Ways After The Waiting Period Has Passed.
- a change in color
- A-line
- A symbol such as plus or less
- The words “pregnant”, “not pregnant”, or “not pregnant”
How Soon Can I Take a Pregnancy Check?
Wait until a week after you missed your period to get the most accurate results.
You should wait between one and two weeks following sex if you do not want to wait for your period to start. Your body requires time to detect detectable levels of HCG if you are pregnant. It usually takes 7 to 12 days following successful implantation of the egg.
If you take the test too early in your period, it may not give an accurate result.
How Accurate are Home Pregnancy Tests?
Home pregnancy tests are very accurate. The tests detect the presence of human gonadotropin in urine. Different brands of the test can recognize different amounts. Some HPTs give false negative results because the levels of HCG at the beginning of pregnancy are so low. You should retest if you receive a negative pregnancy test and don’t get your period in a few days.
Here are Some Indicators That You Should Consider Taking a Pregnancy Test.
1. You’ve Missed Your Period
A missed period is one of the most reliable and early signs of pregnancy.
It can be difficult to tell if you are late if you don’t closely track your cycle. Most women have a 28-day menstrual cycle. If it has been over a month since you last had a period, consider taking a test.
Remember that stress, diet, physical activity, and certain medical conditions can cause your period to be skipped or delayed.
Pay attention to your flow, especially if you suspect that you are pregnant. Light bleeding or spotting is common in the first weeks of pregnancy as the egg burrows deeper into the uterine wall during implantation. Note any differences in color, texture, or amount of the blood.
If you are bleeding and have a positive pregnancy result, contact your doctor.
2. You May Have Cramps
The feeling of cramps can be similar to that experienced during implantation. Early in pregnancy, this pain may make you think that your period will soon arrive, but it doesn’t.
Does this sound familiar? Test yourself. The levels of hormones vary depending on the woman and her pregnancy.
3. Breasts Hurt
These hormones begin to change your body as you produce more progesterone during pregnancy.
Due to increased blood flow, your breasts might feel tender or appear larger. You may feel pain in your nipples and see darker veins under the skin.
This symptom may not always be indicative of pregnancy, as many women experience breast discomfort before their period.
4. You’re Feeling Different
Early pregnancy can also cause:
- nausea
- food aversions
- exhaustion
- frequent urination
These symptoms can get worse as the weeks progress, even before the HCG levels reach their peak late in the first trisomy. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. You should take a pregnancy check if you experience any unusual symptoms.
5. Your Contraception Failed
Contraceptive devices such as condoms and birth control pills do not provide 100% protection against pregnancy. There’s always the slightest chance of getting pregnant, no matter what you do.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s worth taking a pregnancy test.
An unplanned pregnancy can also be caused by human error or defects. It can be hard to remember to take birth control pills every day. Planned Parenthood reports that 9 of every 100 women who take the pill won’t get pregnant if taken as directed.
Condoms may break or tear if they are used incorrectly. Planned Parenthood reports that nearly 18 of every 100 women who rely on condoms as contraception become pregnant each year.
Ask your doctor if there are other contraceptive methods that you can use, like an intrauterine device (IUD).
Test It!
Even when they use protection, sexually active women who are in their reproductive years still have a monthly chance of getting pregnant. You may receive signals from your body that will prompt you to test for pregnancy.
Test after your period is missed to get the best results. Test at your first bathroom visit in the morning, or wait several hours before taking the test to increase the HCG hormone concentration.
Early testing can help you receive the best care possible for both yourself and your child, if necessary. If you receive a positive test result, call your doctor immediately to discuss the next steps and your options.
There Are Many Different Types of Pregnancy Tests
Urine Tests
Urine Tests are performed in two ways, either at home or in the clinic. The first method involves collecting urine in a container and then dipping a stick or an eyedropper into it. One way is to place a stick in your urine stream and catch your urine midstream.
The time it takes to receive a test result varies. Look for a change of color, a line, or a symbol, such as a plus or negative. Clearblue Easy’s new digital pregnancy test makes it easy to read your results: The window will display the words “not pregnant” or “pregnant”.
To get an accurate reading, it’s important to carefully follow the instructions that come with each test.
How Soon Can I Take a Urine Sample?
The majority of doctors will recommend waiting until the first day after your missed period to take a urine test. This usually happens about 2 weeks after conception. Some tests are more sensitive and can be done earlier.
How Accurate are Urine Test Results?
When done correctly, urine tests or home pregnancy tests are 97% accurate. Home pregnancy tests can be used because they are convenient, low-cost (ranging from $7.99 up to $19.99), fast, easy, and private.
If you get a negative result and still have symptoms of pregnancy (missed period, nausea during pregnancy, breast tenderness, etc.) wait a week before taking another test or contact your doctor to arrange a blood test. If you receive a negative test result but still experience symptoms (missed period, nausea, and breast tenderness), you should wait one week before taking another test. You can also contact your doctor to have a blood test done.
Blood Tests
There are two kinds of tests. A qualitative hCG test provides a simple yes/no answer as to whether or not you are pregnant.
Benefits of a Blood Test:
- It can detect pregnancy up to 7-12 days before conception. (If a negative test result is obtained, the test should be repeated.
- You can measure the hCG concentration in your blood. This information is helpful to your doctor in tracking certain pregnancy problems.
The Disadvantages of a Blood Test:
- The price is higher than that of a urine test. (Price is determined by the doctor’s fee and lab fees.)
- It takes longer to get the results
- It must be done at a doctor’s office
Facts About Pregnancy Tests
Does a Positive Pregnancy Test at Home Mean That I am Pregnant?
Positive results from a home pregnancy test indicate the presence of hCG hormone in your body. When an egg implants in the uterine lining of a woman, hCG begins to multiply and develop. This is an indication that you are pregnant.
Does a Negative Pregnancy Test Result Mean That I’m Not Pregnant?
Negative results can indicate that you’re not pregnant, that you tested too early, or that you did the test incorrectly. The sensitivity of pregnancy tests (how quickly they detect the hormone hCG) varies. You may not have allowed your body to produce enough hormones hCG that will show on the test.
If you leave a test sitting for too long, the test will be invalid. Follow the instructions and take the test after you’ve missed your period. It is best to take both tests. Most boxes of pregnancy tests contain two.
How Soon Can I Do a Pregnancy Test at Home?
Wait until after you miss a period before taking a home test. A missed period can be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. You can test as soon as 14 Days from the possible conception if you are unable to wait.
What if the Results of My Home Pregnancy Test are Different?
It is advised that if you receive different results on several pregnancy tests, you should get a blood sample taken to ensure you are getting an accurate result.
How to Use Pregnancy Tests
A pregnancy test will confirm whether you are pregnant, or not. A pregnancy test taken too early could give you a false positive result.
You shouldn’t test yourself too early because pregnancy testing measures levels of gonadotropin. This hormone is only present when you are expecting. The body releases HCG only if the uterus is occupied by a fertilized ovary. This process is called implantation. The sperm fertilizes an egg around 10 days after conception.
OTC pregnancy test kits typically check your urine for the HCG hormone. The kit you select will determine how you test your urine.
How to Conduct The Test
You might have to:
- Collect your urine into a cup, and dip the testing stick in it.
- Use an eyedropper and a cup to collect urine. Then, use the container provided with a special container to transfer a small amount.
- Place the stick in the middle of the expected urine stream.
If used correctly, the Office on Women’s Health states that home pregnancy tests are nearly 99%Trusted Source accurate.
How to Read Results
The test can be done in your home. You can view your results after waiting the recommended amount of time.
The results will be displayed in one of three ways after the waiting period has passed.
- a change in color
- A-line
- A symbol such as plus or less
- The words “pregnant”, “not pregnant”, or “pregnant”, are used to describe a woman’s state of pregnancy.
