A pregnancy test is prescribed when certain specific symptoms appear in a woman’s body to determine if she is pregnant. If the test is positive, the necessary prenatal care can be provided. Pregnancy can be detected through either blood or urine tests. Stay with Saeed News to learn more about pregnancy tests and how they are performed.
A pregnancy test is a way to determine whether you are pregnant. A positive test means you are pregnant, while a negative test means you are not. From the very beginning of pregnancy, your body starts undergoing changes to support the cells that will develop into your baby. One of the earliest changes is the production of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). If you are pregnant, your body begins to produce more HCG. After the fertilized egg implants in the uterus—approximately 6 to 10 days after fertilization—your HCG levels begin to rise. Pregnancy tests detect the presence of this hormone in blood or urine, as it is only produced during pregnancy.
Home pregnancy tests that use urine are the most common type. When used correctly, home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate. If taken at the right time, both urine and blood tests provide reliable results.
There are different methods of pregnancy testing, each with its advantages and limitations. The accuracy of these tests is not always 100%. The results are most accurate on the first day after a missed period. However, it is best to wait at least a week after a missed period to ensure the most reliable results. Pregnancy tests are conducted using blood or urine samples.
Home pregnancy tests check the level of HCG hormone in urine. This hormone is only measurable during pregnancy. The chemical in the test strip changes color when exposed to HCG. The waiting time for results depends on the type of test used, but typically, you need to wait about 10 minutes for home pregnancy test results.
For more accuracy, it is recommended to take at least two home pregnancy tests. Testing too early or too late can lead to false results.
Tips for Taking a Home Pregnancy Test:
Use your first-morning urine, as it contains the highest concentration of HCG and is easier to detect.
If testing later in the day, ensure your urine has been in your bladder for at least three hours.
Do not drink too many fluids before the test, as this can dilute HCG levels.
Check the expiration date on the test kit.
Read the instructions carefully and follow each step precisely.
A urine pregnancy test can also be performed in medical centers. The accuracy of this test is similar to that of home pregnancy tests. To ensure the most reliable results, consult your doctor about the best time to provide a urine sample. Morning urine is the best sample as it contains the highest concentration of HCG. Fasting is not required for this test.
A blood pregnancy test must be performed at a medical center. A laboratory analyzes the blood sample to measure HCG levels. There are two main types of blood tests for pregnancy:
Qualitative HCG Blood Test: This test determines whether HCG is present in the blood, giving a simple "yes" or "no" answer regarding pregnancy.
Quantitative HCG Blood Test: This test measures the exact amount of HCG in the blood.
Determining the gestational age of the fetus.
Detecting abnormal pregnancies, such as ectopic pregnancies.
Identifying potential miscarriages.
Screening for Down syndrome.
If you suspect you might be pregnant, it is best to take a test to confirm. Home pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy as early as 10 days after fertilization, but for the most accurate results, wait until after your missed period.
If you take a test too early, even if you are pregnant, it might come out negative. If your period does not start after a negative test, take another test after a few days.
HCG starts forming after fertilization, but not every sexual encounter leads to pregnancy.
If you have a regular menstrual cycle and your period is a week late, it's time to take a test.
If you are unsure, wait 1–2 weeks after intercourse before testing.
Detectable levels of HCG usually appear 7 to 12 days after fertilization.
Testing too early in the menstrual cycle may lead to inaccurate results.
You can take a pregnancy test at any time of the day, but the best time is in the morning, when HCG levels are most concentrated in urine.
Home pregnancy tests take about 10 minutes.
Urine tests in a medical facility provide results within a few hours.
Blood test results are usually available the same day or within 24 hours.
Missed Period: The most significant sign of pregnancy is a missed period. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. If more than a month has passed since your last period, take a pregnancy test. However, factors like stress, diet, exercise, or medical conditions can also delay periods.
Cramps: Implantation cramps can feel similar to menstrual cramps. In early pregnancy, you might feel this discomfort and mistake it for an upcoming period, but then the period never arrives.
Breast Pain: Pregnancy increases levels of estrogen and progesterone, leading to changes in the body. Breasts may become sore, larger, and more sensitive, with darkened veins visible beneath the skin. However, since breast tenderness also occurs before menstruation, it is not a definitive pregnancy symptom.
Mood Changes & Other Early Symptoms: Early pregnancy can cause:
Nausea
Food aversions
Fatigue
Frequent urination
These symptoms may intensify before HCG levels drop in the second trimester.
Failed Birth Control: No birth control method is 100% effective. Despite using pills, condoms, or other contraceptives, there is always a chance of pregnancy.
Missed Birth Control Pills: If birth control pills are not taken correctly, 9 out of 100 women may become pregnant.
Condom Failure: Condoms can break or be used incorrectly. About 18 out of 100 women relying solely on condoms get pregnant each year.
If you suspect pregnancy due to symptoms or contraceptive failure, take a pregnancy test to confirm.
