{"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

Types of Pregnancy Tests<\/h2>\n

Urine Tests<\/h3>\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

How soon can I take a urine test?<\/h3>\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

How accurate are urine tests?<\/h3>\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

Blood Tests<\/h3>\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