{"id":70933,"date":"2020-01-11T10:30:07","date_gmt":"2020-01-11T16:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/?p=20"},"modified":"2022-06-09T12:16:51","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T18:16:51","slug":"understanding-pregnancy-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/getting-pregnant\/understanding-pregnancy-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy Tests – Urine and Blood"},"content":{"rendered":"
There are two types of pregnancy tests<\/a>; one uses a urine sample, the other a sample of blood. Both pregnancy tests detect the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin<\/a> (hCG). This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after the embryo attaches to the uterine lining and builds up rapidly in your body in the first few days of pregnancy. It is this rapid shift in hormones that trigger most of your pregnancy\u00a0symptoms.<\/p>\n Urine tests can be performed in two different ways and these can be performed\u00a0at home or in a clinic. One way involves collecting your urine in a cup\u00a0and dipping a stick into the urine or putting urine into a special container\u00a0with an eyedropper. Another option involves placing a stick into your urine\u00a0stream and catching your urine in midstream.<\/p>\n Tests vary in how long you have to wait to get a result. You will be looking\u00a0for a change in color, a line, or a symbol (like a plus or minus). The newer\u00a0digital pregnancy test offered by Clearblue Easy makes reading your results simple: the window will either show\u00a0the words “not pregnant” or “pregnant”.<\/p>\n All tests come with instructions, and it is important that you follow these instructions to get an accurate reading.<\/p>\n Most doctors recommend that you wait until the first day of your\u00a0missed period before taking a urine pregnancy test. This is usually\u00a0about two weeks after conception<\/strong>. However, some tests are more sensitive\u00a0than others and can be taken earlier.<\/p>\n Urine tests or home pregnancy tests are around 97% accurate<\/strong> when\u00a0done correctly. Home pregnancy tests are great to use because they can be done at home,\u00a0they are usually low in cost (anywhere from $7.99 to $19.99), private, they\u00a0give a fast result, and are easy to use.<\/p>\n However, if done incorrectly or\u00a0taken too early, the result can be inaccurate. If you get a negative result and still have symptoms\u00a0of pregnancy <\/a>(missed period, nausea<\/a>, breast tenderness, and fatigue<\/a>),\u00a0wait a week and take another test or contact your doctor so you can\u00a0have a blood test done.<\/p>\n There are two types of blood tests<\/a>. A quantitative blood test\u00a0<\/em>measures the exact amount of hCG in the blood, and a qualitative\u00a0<\/em>hCG blood test<\/em> gives a simple yes or no answer to whether\u00a0you are pregnant or not.<\/p>\n Advantages of having a blood test done:<\/strong><\/p>\n Disadvantages of having a blood test done:<\/strong><\/p>\n A positive result from a home pregnancy test shows the presence\u00a0of the hormone hCG in your system. When an egg is implanted in a woman’s\u00a0uterine lining, hCG hormones begin to develop and multiply. This is\u00a0a sign that you have become pregnant.<\/p>\n A negative result can mean that you are not pregnant, you took the\u00a0test too early, or you took the test wrong. Pregnancy tests vary in\u00a0their sensitivity (how soon they can detect the hormone hCG), and\u00a0you may not have given your body enough time to produce enough hCG\u00a0hormones that will show up on the test.<\/p>\n Also, if you let a test sit\u00a0for too long (after the instructions on the box tell you), the test\u00a0is invalid. It is best to follow the instructions and wait until you\u00a0have missed a period before taking the test. Most pregnancy tests\u00a0come with two in a box, and it is a good idea to take both.<\/p>\n It is recommended that you wait until you have missed a period to\u00a0take a home test. A missed period is often one of the first signs\u00a0of pregnancy<\/a>. If you cannot wait that long to find out and you\u00a0know the day you may have conceived, then the earliest you can take\u00a0a test would be 14 days from possible conception<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you have received different answers on multiple pregnancy tests,\u00a0it is recommended that you get a blood test done to get an accurate\u00a0answer.<\/p>\n Compiled using information from the following sources:<\/p>\n 1. MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library\u00a0of Medicine (US); Prenatal Testing.<\/p>\nTypes of Pregnancy Tests<\/h2>\n
Urine Tests<\/h3>\n
How soon can I take a urine test?<\/h3>\n
How accurate are urine tests?<\/h3>\n
Blood Tests<\/h3>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Tests<\/h3>\n
If I get a positive result on a home pregnancy test, does that mean\u00a0I am pregnant?<\/h4>\n
If I get a negative result on a home pregnancy test, does that mean\u00a0I am not pregnant?<\/h4>\n
How soon can I take a home pregnancy test?<\/h3>\n
What if I take a couple of home pregnancy tests and get different\u00a0answers?<\/h3>\n
Want to Know More?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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