You can usually tell if your are pregnant by looking at one of the common symptoms. To confirm your pregnancy, you can take a home test for pregnancy or go to the doctor if you are experiencing pregnancy symptoms.
A pregnancy test will likely give accurate results one day after your first missed period. To ensure the best results, you should wait at least one week after your missed period.
Home pregnancy tests
You can use a home pregnancy test (HPT), on the first day after your missed period. You can use some very sensitive tests even earlier.
These tests detect the hormone human chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), in your urine. This hormone is not found in pregnant women. The hormone causes a chemical in the stick to change its color. The test will take a minimum of 10 minutes, depending on how accurate it is.
Manufacturers recommend HPTs should be taken twice as the results can vary if they are taken too soon after your first missed period. Sometimes, your hCG levels may be too low to detect early. Although the applicators can vary by brand, the tests are usually inexpensive.
When used correctly, pregnancy tests can be accurate. False negatives can occur when you think you are pregnant. If your period has not arrived after a few days and you have missed it, repeat the test again or consult your doctor.
Home pregnancy tests.
Clinical urine test
A clinical urine test can be done at your doctor’s practice. These tests don’t always have the same accuracy as an HPT. Your doctor might be able to correct any errors that could affect the accuracy of your test. A clinical urine test can cost more depending on what your insurance covers.
The results of a clinical urine testing can vary depending upon the medical facility you visit. However, results can be expected within one week.
Blood test
These tests can be done at your doctor’s offices. To detect hCG, a laboratory will test your blood.
There’s two types of pregnancy blood test:
- Qualitative hCG Blood Test: This test determines if hCG is present in the blood. This test will give you a straightforward yes or no answer about whether or not you are pregnant.
- Quantitative blood test for hCG: This test measures the blood hCG level.
Your doctor might order additional tests if your hCG level is different than you expected. This will depend on how far along your pregnancy is. In a matter of days, your doctor may order an ultrasound or repeat the pregnancy hCG test. Uncertain dates are the most common reason that hCG levels can appear abnormal. This could indicate that you are either farther along or less advanced in your pregnancy than you think.
Because they measure blood hCG levels, quantitative hCG blood tests can be very precise. They are able to detect lower levels of hormones than a urine or qualitative hCG test.
Blood tests can detect pregnancy hormones earlier than urine tests. Home tests are more affordable than blood tests. You also have to wait longer to receive your results. Sometimes, blood test results take longer than one week to arrive.
Pregnancy symptoms
There are some signs and symptoms that indicate pregnancy, especially early in the process.
- a missed period
- feeling exhausted
- Urinating more than normal
- sensitive, swollen breasts
- nausea
- vomiting
Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
What happens next if results are positive
Your next steps will depend on two factors: whether or not your are pregnant.
If you have positive test results and are planning to have a child, you should take another test to confirm your pregnancy. Next, visit your doctor before you reach 8 weeks. Ask your doctor about prenatal care options and specialists that can assist you throughout your pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor any changes that you should make in your lifestyle, medication, or diet to ensure your baby’s health for the next nine-months.
Ask your doctor if your pregnancy test results were positive, even if you don’t intend to have children.
- ending your pregnancy
- carrying the pregnancy to full term for adoption
- What to do if your pregnancy is not over
A clinic or health center that specializes in child care and reproductive health can also help you.
Read more: Unplanned pregnancy.>>
False-positive
False positives can be caused by many reasons.
- Chemical pregnancy: In which the egg attaches to your uterine lining, your pregnancy will end shortly thereafter.
- menopause
- ectopic pregnancy
- Ovarian conditions, such as cysts
If you think any of these factors may have caused a false positive, you should consult your doctor.
What happens if the results are not positive
You can still try to get pregnant even if your test results come back negative. If you aren’t taking folic acids supplements, you should. There is no guarantee that you will get pregnant by sexual intercourse. This depends on your menstrual cycle. Use an ovulation calculator to track your cycles and create a calendar to determine when it is best to get pregnant.
Learn more: Ovulation: When am I most fertile? >>
Consider getting a fertility check if you have tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant. This test can help you determine if there are fertility problems that could affect your ability to get pregnant. Artificial insemination is an option if you are infertile.
To ensure that your results are accurate, if your test results were negative and you don’t intend to become pregnant, then take another test. If you are concerned about getting pregnant from unprotected sex after taking the test, you should use any birth control to avoid any future problems.
If you have negative results but still experience pregnancy symptoms such as missed periods, consult your doctor to determine if there is another cause. Other conditions can cause symptoms such as nausea, exhaustion, and vomiting. Exercising too much or being stressed out can also cause missed periods.
False-negative
A false negative can happen for several reasons, including:
Use certain medications like tranquilizers or anticonvulsants.
Let’s say your urine has been diluted by liquid intake. You should take the test in the morning, when it is less diluted.
If you miss a period, you might not be able to take the test as soon as possible. It is best to wait a few days or a week before taking the test.
Let’s say you didn’t wait enough to take the test. Follow the instructions to ensure you give the test enough time.
Takeaway
If you follow the instructions, home pregnancy tests can be accurate and give good results. However,
You should have blood or urine tests done to verify if you believe you were wrongly positive or negative.
Talk to your doctor about what next steps to take based on your results. Many women find pregnancy exciting. No matter what your next step, learn as much as possible about taking care your health and yourself.
