Pregnancy Test – A Plus or Minus Says It All

Pregnancy Tests – Have All the Information for a Healthy Delivery

A pregnancy test, as the name implies, is simply a test used to determine whether or not a woman is pregnant. Often used early in the form of a home pregnancy test, this process is helpful in making an early determination.

An unborn child will require medical care even before they arrive and an early diagnosis is important so that the mom-to-be can learn the best types of food to consume, begin pregnancy classes and prepare for the family’s new addition.

Are you familiar with home pregnancy tests?

The most popular type of pregnancy test, which is used for early detection, is a home pregnancy test. These can be found at most major retail and/or drug stores and can provide quick results.

Because these are amateur tests, meaning they are not performed by a licensed medical doctor, there is always the possibility of a false reading. If the directions are followed correctly, however, the accuracy rate is quite respectable. Before seeing a doctor, many women want to have an idea as to whether or not they are pregnant, which is why an at home pregnancy test is very popular.

Depending on the results of a home pregnancy test, a woman may still wish to consult a physician to ensure certainty. During the visit, a physician will relay the determination of pregnancy or the absence thereof and, if necessary, will provide additional information for expectant moms.

Learn about signs and symptoms of early pregnancy and have a pregnancy test following the onset of any of the symptoms

It can be difficult to realize the symptoms of pregnancy for first-time moms-to-be, which is why it is important to learn about the possible signs of an early pregnancy. Among them, an increased sensitivity to certain foods and/or smells, recurring morning sickness, fatigue, exhaustion and mood swings.

It is important to have a pregnancy test following the onset of any or all of these symptoms because a positive result means that a new change in lifestyle such as exercise may be in order.

Pregnant women will likely be instructed to avoid air travel, smoking or being near secondhand smoke and the consumption of alcohol. Any and all of these can be harmful to a child and should therefore be avoided. It is very important that pregnant women speak with their doctor about the best ways to ensure the development of a healthy child.

Different Types of Pregnancy Tests

If you believe yourself to be pregnant and are interested in using a test to determine the results factually, know that the tests sold over the counter that use urine to detect the pregnancy hormone are incredibly effective. Unlike in days gone by when the only reliable way to determine whether you are indeed pregnant was to visit your primary health care provider’s office, these home tests allow you to determine whether or not you need to see a provider.

Keep in mind that if you test positive for any type of home pregnancy test, you should be sure to immediately schedule an appointment with your primary health care provider. This is essential due to complications like an ectopic tubal pregnancies, where the egg lodges in the Fallopian tube and can cause a great deal of pain and medical issues if left untreated. A test will still determine that you are pregnant, although the pregnancy may not be normal or necessarily healthy.

What are the two main types of pregnancy tests?

Pregnancy tests include those that use urine and those that use blood.

Both tests are designed to detect the hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin. Commonly known as hCG, this hormone is produced when the placenta begins to develop once the embryo successfully attaches to the uterine lining.

Although blood tests tend to have less false readings, the presence of this hCG hormone can easily be found in a urine based test. Generally, doctors will perform a blood test in order to determine whether or not you are pregnant.

In addition to testing for the presence of hCG, a doctor may wish to run another panel to determine your overall health and levels of vitamins or nutrients. This will provide your physician with a base line for which to prescribe prenatal vitamins and medications that will ensure both mother and child are kept healthy.

The urine based pregnancy test

If you purchase a urine based pregnancy test, there are two main options available. The first option sees the woman urinating in a cup and then inserting a special stick into the cup for a given period of time. This test generally has more accurate results since the instructions are more likely to be followed. Usually, if you visit a clinic and they issue you a urine based test, this is the type of test that you will receive.

However, the most popular method of pregnancy tests available over the counter are those that require the woman to hold a special stick in a stream of urine for a certain amount of time. These tests tend to be the most popular since there is less mess and clean up required in this method. There are even versions of this test that can detect the hCG pregnancy hormone almost immediately after the embryo has implanted in the uterine wall.

Blood based pregnancy test

For those individuals who are far too anxious to receive the news than the necessary waiting period required for even the earliest versions of the urine tests, a blood test should be used. Blood tests can be administered up to seven days after a possible conception, so they are a favorite among couples that are experiencing infertility problems.

Furthermore, a blood test can more accurately measure the level of hCG found in a woman’s body so that potential problems or complications with the pregnancy can be immediately identified.

However, keep in mind that you must visit a doctor’s office in order to have a blood test to determine whether or not you are pregnant. This will often cause you to incur costs associated with the visit and the testing fees. If money is a concern, many women’s clinics provide pregnancy testing for a minimal cost.

Pregnancy Tests – For a Healthy Delivery

With today’s increased knowledge of health and development of the fetus in the womb, there are several tests that expectant mothers will undergo to ensure the health prospects of both herself and her baby. All of these tests are standard, and you should make sure to ask your doctor about when they are scheduled and that they are all on his list.

CBC Test:

CBC stands for Complete Blood Count. This test checks for anemia and other abnormalities that may occur within blood components.

Urinary Analysis:

Regular urine analysis safety check for infection, protein, blood, or any other products that should not be present in the urine and that may signal complications.

RH factor:

This test also tests the blood type. Differences in the blood type or Rh factor could lead to serious complications in the newborn, or in your next child. Women who are RH negative need to have additional screening done later in the pregnancy.

Immunity:

A blood test is required to ensure immunity from German measles (rubella).

STD:

Tests for sexually transmitted diseases are also necessary, including screenings for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis. Some tests include cultures for Chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Blood glucose:

Blood glucose is checked for diabetes.

Pap smears:

Pap smears check the cells of the cervix for abnormalities, including cancerous or precancerous cells.

Screening for bacterial and viral infections in the vagina and cervix:

This is often performed during the second half of the pregnancy. Testing to detect bacterial vaginosis, which could increase the risk for premature rupture of membranes and subsequent labor, and a culture for group B streptococci, which can infect and harm the newborn after delivery, may be done during your pregnancy.

There are other tests that may be taken according to your own personal health history. Expectant women with high blood pressure should be regularly checked. Make sure when you visit your obstetrician that all these tests are accounted for, and consult him/her on any that may need to be done additionally.

How to Use a Home Pregnancy Test: Simple steps

The question of whether or not you are pregnant is often one of the most exciting, anxious, and stressful queries that affect not only your health, but your life. There are different types of pregnancy tests on the market or available through your primary health care provider.

Typically, the actual steps for using a pregnancy test are quite easy and can be performed in the comfort of your own home. However, the results of a home pregnancy test should always be confirmed with a blood test performed by your primary health care provider.

Use your urine to test for pregnancy associated hormone

By far, the most commonly used method of pregnancy test is those that use urine to detect the hormone associated with pregnancy. This hormone is triggered when an embryo implants in the uterine wall, but it can also be produced if an embryo mistakenly implants in the Fallopian tubes, which is known as an ectopic tubal pregnancy.

Here are types of urine pregnancy tests:

1. Use of cup to catch urine and a device or stick inserted in the urine

As previously mentioned, this type of pregnancy test can produce more accurate results, but may prove to be too messy. A cup is provided to catch urine. After the urine is collected, a special stick or other device is inserted in the urine. Sometimes, the stick or device is dipped directly into the urine filled cup for a certain amount of time. Other times, a small eye dropper is provided to perform a more accurate version of the same test.

2. Use of a device to collect midstream urine

Although the #1 method of urine testing may be more accurate, the devices meant to collect urine in midstream are the most popular. These sticks are usually found over the counter in your local drug store or grocery store and can be completed within seconds.

Instead of a more scientific project, this type of urine based pregnancy test is preferred by women because of the lack of steps. Simply hold the stick in a stream of urine for a specific amount of time—usually a few seconds—and then wait for the results.

As opposed to sticks that are more difficult to read, there are a couple of companies that now have models on the market that have a digital read out system. Also, there are models available that allow you to determine whether or not you are pregnant much sooner than traditional home based tests.

Your doctor can draw your blood for a more accurate test

There is a more accurate test that can detect whether or not you are pregnant before a urine based test can do so. This test must be performed in your physician’s office and will require a few vials of blood drawn. After the blood is drawn, tests are performed to detect the presence and the amount of the hormone associated with pregnancy.

Keep in mind that you should always have a blood test performed after you have received a positive reading for a home pregnancy urine based test.

Please note that the information in this post is not designed to be used in place of professional medical advice and/or recommendations. A woman who believes that she may be pregnant should consult a licensed medical doctor for a pregnancy test and the best method of ensuring the health of her unborn child.

Was this post helpful? Share your thoughts in the comment section.