What is a pregnancy test?
Pregnancy tests are used to look for a special hormone in the human body that only develops during pregnancy. This hormone, called HCG, can be found in urine or blood. Home pregnancy tests are the most widely used type of pregnancy tests, which are the definitive way to determine whether you are pregnant or not.
If used correctly, these tests are 99% accurate and a positive result means that you are pregnant. A negative test result in both urine and blood tests means that the person is not pregnant. From the first day of pregnancy, the body secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonna dotropin.
This hormone, called HCG for short, allows the body to undergo changes to support the cells that will form the baby. HCG production starts quickly. Levels of this hormone begin to increase especially within 6 to 10 days after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. There are two main types of pregnancy test.
These are urine and blood tests. The urine tests, which are usually used in conjunction with a home pregnancy test, are available over the counter. Blood tests to check for pregnancy are performed by health professionals and involve examining a blood sample. Another way to confirm pregnancy is through ultrasound imaging.
When to do a pregnancy test?
A pregnancy test is needed to rule out suspected pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests that give results from a urine sample vary in how early they can be used. Generally, accurate results can be obtained 10 days after conception. In order for the test result to be close to accurate, it is recommended to wait until your period is late to take the test.
Because in some cases, taking a test too early can lead to negative results even in the case of pregnancy. After a negative result, it is recommended that another test be administered if the menstrual period is delayed. Home pregnancy tests are administered especially during the first urination in the morning. However, some types of pregnancy tests have the sensitivity to be applied at any time of the day. However, it is important not to urinate for 3 hours before testing.
How a pregnancy test works
The HCG hormone, which can be found in blood and urine, is the criterion that pregnancy tests look for. Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, the body produces more HCG hormone every day and as the pregnancy progresses, more HCG hormone is found in the body. For this reason, it is likely to give more accurate results in later periods.
Pregnancy tests react to the amount of HCG in blood or urine. In a urine test, a piece of reagent paper is enough to detect HCG, while a positive result is indicated by a plus sign or a double vertical line. Some tests show the word pregnant. Instructions should be followed as each brand has different indicators of a positive result.
How to take a pregnancy test
A pregnancy test must be purchased from a pharmacy for home use. The following tips can be used for home application of pregnancy tests, the prices of which vary depending on the brand.
- The test sample should be used from the first morning urine because the level of hCG is at its highest.
- You should not drink too much liquid before the test. Otherwise the HCG level may be diluted.
- Make sure of the expiration date of the test.
- Since the test application method may vary according to the brands, it is necessary to read the instructions and perform the test by following the instructions exactly.
There are 3 ways to take a pregnancy test. These methods include the following
- Dripping a few drops of urine into a clean glass and then dropping a few drops on the test
- Place the pregnancy test strip below the urine stream
- Dipping the test strip into the glass after urinating into a clean glass
What is an early pregnancy test?
Early pregnancy tests are home-based tests that use a urine sample. Since it is more sensitive in terms of HCG, it gives a true positive result before the menstrual delay.
Early pregnancy test is the fastest way to get early results, especially for people who take regular medication, it allows them to make the necessary arrangements in the early stages of pregnancy. In addition, for those who do not plan not to give birth, it also allows the necessary things to be done in the early stages of pregnancy.
Early pregnancy tests have many advantages, but can cause a false negative result if done too early. It is also more expensive than other pregnancy tests, making it more costly to repeat. Another negative side of the early pregnancy test is that it can detect chemical pregnancy and cause anxiety.
When to take an early pregnancy test?
Early pregnancy tests do not require a delay in menstruation. Results can be obtained with an early pregnancy test 5 days after sexual intercourse. In case of a positive result, a specialist should be consulted as soon as possible. If the result is negative, it is recommended to repeat the test in the following days.
Types of pregnancy tests
Pregnancy tests are divided into urine and blood tests. While urine tests are usually used to get results with kits that can be applied at home, it is also a method used by doctors. However, the pregnancy test child, which is primarily preferred by obstetricians, is a blood test.
Pregnancy test from urine
These tests, which can be easily performed at home, use urine as a sample. These kits, which contain special strips that can detect Hcg, are approximately 99% effective if the product is used correctly. This rate is almost the same as pregnancy tests performed in health institutions. Urine pregnancy tests are often preferred because they are easy to access and extremely practical to use.
Most of these tests, which can be performed at home, can detect pregnancy 10 days after conception. However, it is advisable to wait until your period is late to reduce the chance of false negative results. Menstrual delay usually occurs about 14 days after conception.
Blood pregnancy test
Another type of pregnancy test is a blood test. Blood tests are applied from health institutions. For this reason, they are generally not considered the first choice. Blood tests use a small blood sample taken from the veins in the arm.
This test not only determines whether the pregnancy hormone is present in the body, but also the level of the hormone. This is because the level of the HCG hormone must also be known in order to monitor the pregnancy. Blood tests are used not only in cases of suspected pregnancy but also in special cases for people undergoing fertility treatment.
Blood tests are slightly more sensitive than urine tests. Therefore, accurate results can be obtained within 7 to 10 days of pregnancy. Blood tests are also performed regularly during pregnancy. This is because it is important to monitor HCG levels regularly during pregnancy.
Pregnancy test brands
Home pregnancy tests are available in different brands. Among the most commonly used brands are the following.
Comfort
Comfort, one of the best pregnancy test brands, is applied 8-10 days after sexual intercourse. The brand, which claims 99.8% accuracy, is also more cost-effective than other brands. It is enough to wait 3-4 minutes for the kit to give results.
Laboquick
This brand of early pregnancy tests claims 99% accuracy. For the application of this kit, which can be applied 5 days after sexual intercourse, some of the urine should be made into a clean and dry container. Afterwards, it is enough to drop the urine sample into the kit and wait 4-5 minutes
Oncomed
Another test that can be performed without waiting for a delayed period is Oncomed.
Predictor
Predictor, the most preferred brand of early pregnancy tests, allows you to find out if you are pregnant at an early stage. The absorbent tip of this test, which can be applied up to 6 days before the normal menstrual period, should be held under the urine stream so that it coincides with the urine. The test gives the result after 3 minutes.
Artımed
One of the early pregnancy tests, Artimed can be used 8 to 10 days after sexual intercourse.
Freely
Freely, another brand often preferred by women who want to find out early in pregnancy, is one of the fastest pregnancy tests. This test, which can be applied 8-10 days after sexual intercourse, claims to be 99.8% accurate. In this test, it is enough to drop a few drops of urine sample from the section reserved for urine sample.
Miratech
Miratech, an early pregnancy test, can be administered 5 days after sexual intercourse. Although the test is very sensitive, it is recommended to repeat it at a later date to increase its accuracy. To apply the test, it is sufficient to place a few drops in the urine sample area and wait for 5 minutes.
What does a faint line on a pregnancy test mean?
It can be confusing when home pregnancy tests sometimes show a faint line. The reason for the faint line is that the pregnancy is very early and the HCG hormone is therefore low. For this reason, experts say that if a faint line is seen, the pregnancy is positive.
In addition, if there is a slightly discolored line where the positive line should be on the pregnancy test, it means that we have waited longer than the recommended time to read the test result or that the test is wet. This line does not mean that you are pregnant and the test should be replaced.
Is a pregnancy test positive close to menstruation?
It is possible for a pregnancy test to be positive before the normal menstrual period. This is because pregnancy tests one week after intercourse can be largely accurate. However, a negative test close to your period does not mean that you are not pregnant.
What should the blood pregnancy test values be?
The normal value range of the HCG hormone in women is between 0 and 10. A value above this range indicates pregnancy. Although the value may vary from person to person, on average, values between 5 and 50 are interpreted as pregnancy.
