Pregnancy Tests: Urine Test and Blood Test
Pregnancy Tests
There are two types of pregnancy tests that you can use to test for pregnancy – a urine test and a blood test. Both tests work by testing for the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG is produced by the placenta after the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining, and it increases rapidly in the body following that.
Urine Test
Urine tests are what is commonly known as home pregnancy tests. They test for the presence of hCG in your urine. Most urine tests work in similar ways: placing the test stick in your urine stream, collecting your urine and dipping the test stick in, or putting your urine into a special container using an eyedropper.
Indications of results usually take the form of a positive or negative sign, a change of colour or symbol on the test kit. The length of time it takes for the results to appear vary for each test kit. It is important to follow the instruction manual of the test kit closely in order to produce the most accurate results.
It is recommended that you wait at least 10 days after your missed period before taking the test. If you take it too early, test results might not be accurate as hCG levels in your body might still be low. You should also take the test first thing in the morning as your urine is the most concentrated at that time.
If your test shows that you are not pregnant, but you continue to experience pregnancy symptoms such as missed period, nausea and tender breasts, you should wait for another week before taking another urine test. Alternatively, you can go to your doctor for a blood test.
Urine tests are about 97% accurate when they are used correctly. They are affordable, easy to use and give a fast result. Most urine tests for pregnancy are available at drugstores like Guardian, Watsons or pharmacies.
Blood Test
A blood test is done by drawing a sample of blood from your body and testing for the presence of hCG. There are two types of blood tests: qualitative and quantitative blood test.
A qualitative blood test simply tests for the presence of hCG and tells you whether you are pregnant or not.
A quantitative blood test measures the amount of hCG in the blood, which tells you whether you are pregnant and how far into the pregnancy you are.
A blood test is usually done in a clinic, and the blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for testing before sending the results back to your doctor.
While blood tests are more expensive and take a longer time to receive results, they are more accurate than urine tests. You can also carry out a blood test earlier than a urine test. Blood tests can detect hCG in the blood around 7 days after ovulation.
Learn more about how to tell you are pregnant.
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