Before the invention of pregnancy tests, mankind resorted to various methods of guessing the onset of the gestational period. A kind of pregnancy tests were carried out by wetting grain with female urine, mixing urine with wine, changing the characteristics of the biological fluid under the influence of various additives, as well as injecting it into a certain type of frog. So, it was believed that at the onset of pregnancy, wheat or barley grains watered with urine germinate faster, which helped not only to diagnose a successful conception, but also to predict the sex of the child. A repetition of such a test in the 70s of the 20th century showed a 70% effectiveness of the method for determining pregnancy.
A modern pregnancy test makes it possible with a high probability to determine the beginning of the emergence of a new life without lengthy experiments with various compositions and grains. The variety of tests for express diagnostics, however, implies the need to know when to take a pregnancy test, how to interpret the result and which tests are best to use.
Despite the modernization of diagnostic methods, the material for testing remains the same as in the Middle Ages. Urine contains human chorionic gonadotropin, the same hormone that is assessed in the diagnosis of pregnancy by blood tests.
In the venous blood, the hCG hormone begins to be determined 2-3 days after the start of the introduction of chorionic villi to the walls of the uterus. Chorionic gonadotropin reaches a concentration sufficient for most tests in the excreted urine about a week after the start of the process of its production in the body.
If there is enough hCG concentration in the urine for the sensitivity level of the test, a reaction of a chemical preparation on the surface of the test and a hormone occurs. In the absence of the hormone or its insufficient concentration, the reaction does not occur, and the result is negative.
The average sensitivity of the tests available on the market is 25 mUI, this indicator of hCG usually reaches two weeks after fertilization. Existing tests with higher sensitivity, responding to a smaller amount of the hormone, diagnose its appearance 3-4 days earlier.
When can I use the test on a regular cycle?
If the menstrual cycle is regular and a constant number of days between the onset of bleeding, then it is not difficult to calculate the period of ovulation. The middle of the cycle (with a standard menstrual cycle of 28 days - on day 14), the egg is released.
Fertilization of an egg is possible within three days of its life cycle. After the process of fusion of the egg and sperm for 4-5 days, the embryonic cells migrate through the uterus to the placentation site, after which the production of hCG begins. Assuming fertilization within 2 days, 4 days of migration and the time necessary to achieve the desired level of concentration in the urine of the hormone, highly sensitive tests can show the onset of pregnancy 10 days after ovulation, that is, with an average cycle of 28 days - on day 24 of the cycle ... For greater confidence, experts recommend using a highly sensitive test 12 days after the release of the egg from the ovary, normal sensitivity tests - 15-16 days later.
Diagnosis of pregnancy with an irregular cycle
If the menstrual cycle is irregular, the length of the periods between periods varies, then the time to use the test depends on the date of ovulation.
Ovulation can be determined by subjective sensations (some women feel characteristic tingling in the area of one of the ovaries, a feeling of fullness, swelling, sensitivity, mood changes), as well as by measuring rectal temperature and using an ovulation test. When determining the onset of ovulation and possible fertilization, a pregnancy test is used 15 days after the due date.
The morning is wiser than the evening: when is the best time to do the test
Most modern test strips do not limit the diagnostic period to any time of day: they can be used in the morning, afternoon, night. However, experts, given the possibility of a natural decrease in the concentration of hCG after drinking a large amount of liquid, recommend resorting to diagnostics in the morning, using the first portion of urine after a night's sleep, especially with a small probable period of pregnancy.
During the day, when fluid enters the body, the concentration of the hormone decreases. For periods of more than 18 days after ovulation, this factor is not decisive, however, the timing of ovulation also does not always coincide with the expected ones. For accurate indicators, it is better to follow the recommendations of specialists, and in a situation where the test needs to be carried out in the afternoon or in the evening, then the diagnosis will be optimal after four hours of abstaining from going to the toilet and limiting the use of liquid products to maintain the level of hCG concentration.
Terms of use of express tests
- It is necessary to follow the storage rules of the tests provided by the manufacturer.
- Using the test in damaged packaging may distort diagnostic results.
- The package is opened immediately before diagnostics.
- Using an expired test will produce incorrect results.
- The optimal test time is in the morning, right after a night's sleep.
- If the test is not a jet test, urine collection requires the use of a clean container.
- It was recommended to carry out hygienic procedures with washing of the external genitalia before testing.
- Strictly follow the directions for use.
Pregnancy test: instructions for use
There are different types of rapid tests. Instructions for each type are attached to the test; violation of the rules of use most often leads to the appearance of incorrect indicators.
When diagnosing pregnancy, the test is used at the time specified by the manufacturer. If testing is recommended from the first days of the delay, then there is a possibility that the sensitivity of the reagent or individual characteristics, the timing of conception will reveal pregnancy earlier than the specified period, but most often an accurate result is possible only on the specified days of the cycle.
The cost of the test most often directly correlates with its reliability: the lower the price, the lower the production cost and the cheaper the chemical reagent, respectively, the higher the number of incorrect results. On the market today, the most common tests of four modifications, each variety has its own characteristics and instructions for use. Some manufacturers produce different types of tests under a single brand (Evitest or Evitest, Frautest, etc.), when buying, you need to pay attention to the variety.
Test strip or strip test
A strip test (strip test) is one of the first options for diagnosing pregnancy, a test for independent use and quick interpretation of the results. The most common and cheapest option (for example, Itest Plus is offered at a price of 20 rubles).
A paper-plastic strip with an additional inner layer impregnated with reagents, upon contact with urine, stains in one or two places. One strip confirms the effectiveness of the test, two indicate the presence of a sufficient concentration of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone to confirm pregnancy.
Rules of use: collect the first morning urine in a clean container, lower the test to the border indicated on the strip, hold it in the liquid for the required time (most often 20-30 seconds), remove it and put it on a dry horizontal surface.
Diagnostic results appear within a period of 1 to 10 minutes, depending on the concentration of the hormone. Some tests can also change the color of the control strip — the paler the color, the shorter the pregnancy.
Tablet type tests
Tablet tests are based on the same principle of action as strip tests: upon contact with urine of a certain part of the surface, a chemical reaction of the reagent and the hCG hormone occurs. To reduce the likelihood of an error, the volume of liquid is dosed, and the contact point is limited by a special window.
According to the instructions, urine must be collected in the attached clean container, then using the pipette from the kit, dispense 4 drops into the small window of the test tablet. The results are evaluated in the following window: depending on the variety, one or two stripes appear, or minus and plus.
Inkjet tests
This variety is considered one of the most accurate and sensitive, and also does not require additional devices and manipulations. The test strip is placed under the stream of urine for 10 seconds (if necessary, you can use a container and submerge the test in urine).
The results are to be evaluated at intervals of 1 to 10 minutes, depending on the concentration of the hormone. Unlike the above options, inkjet tests can be applied up to 5 days before the expected date of your period.
Digital pregnancy test
Electronic modification of conventional variants. The test evaluates the concentration of the hCG hormone and requires immersion in urine, however, the result (depending on the type of test) is displayed either on an electronic mini-scoreboard, or appears on the computer screen, to which the test is connected via a USB port.
This option is considered the most optimal due to the impossibility of distorting the interpretation of the results. However, the sensitivity of digital tests is the same as that of inkjet tests: they can be used 3-4 days before the expected date of menstruation. When tested 2 days before the start of menstruation, an accuracy of 99% is guaranteed.
Negative test result in developing pregnancy
In most cases, tests show a negative result in pregnant women if the tests are used too early with low sensitivity, if the instructions for use or storage are not followed. A negative result is also possible due to late ovulation and late conception - in such cases, the hormonal background changes more slowly than expected in accordance with the menstrual cycle.
Diseases of the endocrine system, hormonal imbalances also lead to negative results in test diagnostics. For the threat of miscarriage, an inappropriate increase in the level of the hCG hormone is characteristic of the gestational age, which, accordingly, leads to one strip on the test at a time when the concentration of hCG should be sufficient for two.
It is worth knowing that during gestation, tests can be used only in the first trimester. The concentration of hCG does not persist during the waiting period of the child, which leads to incidents: if tests are carried out for a period of more than 2-3 months, the result will turn out to be negative.
False positive results
Positive test results in non-pregnant women are much less common in the opposite situation and in most cases indicate the presence of diseases (ovarian dysfunction, the formation of tumor formation in the reproductive organs, producing hormones, etc.). False positive diagnostic results are also noted in the first two months of the postpartum period and when using an expired test.
Testing during your period
In some women, pregnancy is accompanied by menstrual discharge, similar in abundance, timing and manifestations to normal menstruation. As a rule, the discharge ends in the first trimester, however, cases of their manifestations are known throughout the entire period of gestation. In such situations, it is recommended to resort to diagnosis by blood test, but the use of tests is also possible.
Any test is based on an assessment of the concentration of the hormone in the urine and the ingress of menstrual flow into it does not affect the effectiveness of the tests.
If the test results are in doubt
Sometimes it is not easy to interpret the results of express diagnostics: the second indicator strip is slightly outlined, shines through from the inside of the test. Sometimes this is due to poor-quality production of cheap paper test strips: when wet, the reagent becomes somewhat more noticeable than when dry.
A visible, but pale second strip most often indicates a low level of hCG, insufficient for the sensitivity of the test. In this case, it is better to postpone the check for 1-2 days or use a more highly sensitive option.
A strip with an insufficient degree of staining can also appear as a result of improper storage of the test, violation of instructions. In any case, retesting and / or a blood test for hCG is recommended.
Ectopic or non-developing pregnancy
The test results for an ectopic and / or non-developing pregnancy are also positive: on the days of the expected menstruation, the presence of a second strip on the test is most often noted. But an increase in the level of the hormone does not occur under such conditions; on repeated testing, the pregnancy indicator strip may fade or not appear, which requires immediate medical attention.
A pregnancy test is one of the most effective ways to self-diagnose. The state of anxiety during a delay in menstruation is familiar to every woman. It can be fear or happy anticipation.
For those planning to have a baby, two strips of dough is always a joy. In situations where you need to make sure that a pregnancy has really come, tests come to the rescue. They are sold in pharmacies, are inexpensive, every woman should be able to use them. The maximum diagnostic accuracy depends on many factors.
Which test to choose, when to test for pregnancy and how to avoid testing errors? This is what our article is about.
It's all about hCG! How pregnancy tests work
In the body of the expectant mother, the so-called pregnancy hormone is intensively produced, the medical term is hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). By blocking the function of the ovaries, this hormone interferes with the maturation of the next egg. In a healthy woman, in the absence of pregnancy, this hormone is not produced. Its appearance is noticeable on the 7th day after fertilization, at which time the egg safely reaches the uterus and is introduced into its mucous membrane. The production of the hormone increases in the first weeks after fertilization, the concentration increases every two days, reaching a maximum at 8-11 weeks. The test responds specifically to hCG, its presence confirms the appearance of the second strip of the test and gives a clear answer to the question after how long can a pregnancy test be done? Timing is of great importance, the accuracy of the result depends on the timeliness.When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?
The hormone gonadotropin has one characteristic feature. In the female body, after fertilization, it first appears in the blood. Over time, the concentration increases and only after 7 days, hCG can be detected in the urine. Since a pregnancy test determines the level of gonadotropin in the urine, it makes no sense to make a diagnosis ahead of time. Ineffective, often unreliable test results and in the first days of missed periods. The best option and the only correct answer to the question of when to take a pregnancy test is 6-7 days after the delay. Previously not worth it, inaccuracies are possible.
Types of tests. What are they and how to choose?
Recently, digital developments in the field of diagnostics have attracted great interest. A weekly pregnancy test with accurate timing data is the latest development, but not everyone can afford it. Before choosing the best test, it is important to know what they are, how they differ and what advantages they have. Let's highlight the most famous types:
The interpretation of the indications of almost all tests is very simple, two strips are clear evidence of pregnancy. The exception is electronic tests. They have different designations: "+" and the inscription "pregnant" - pregnancy, "-" and "not pregnant" - a negative result.
Before purchasing a test, decide for what purpose the diagnosis is being made. Which pregnancy test is the best, everyone decides for themselves. If you need to find out about your condition as early as possible, it is better to go to the laboratory and donate blood. When timing doesn't really matter, choose the test that is most convenient for you. Everything here is individual. When it comes to price, the best option is test strips.
How to avoid mistakes when using a pregnancy test?
Nothing, except urine and the test itself, is required to determine the presence of pregnancy, except for a few minutes of free time. For most women, these minutes turn into agonizing anticipation. In any case, the answer will be. “Yes” or “no”, no other options are suggested. The diagnostic procedure itself does not cause any difficulties. Every woman knows and has heard about how to make a pregnancy test, but often annoying mistakes happen that can lead to incorrect results. It is advisable to avoid this, the distortion of the results has a negative effect on the psyche, mood and emotional state of a woman. Our tips will help prevent such conditions:
- Tests are different, but the instructions are attached to all. Do not forget to study it, there is a lot of important, useful information that will save you from mistakes. Check the expiration date at the same time. The old test is not good, it is better to get a new one. Don't jump to conclusions. The exact result can be found out only after the time specified in the instructions has passed. On average, this is 5-10 minutes.
- Prepare a home pregnancy test in the evening, diagnose yourself in the morning. The time of day does not affect the presence of the hCG hormone in the body of a woman in position. It does not disappear, but since almost all tests are designed to determine early pregnancy, it should be borne in mind that the gonadotropin hormone is concentrated as much as possible in the morning. It is recommended to carry out diagnostics in the morning, the indicators will be the most accurate. The most reliable results are given by the first batch of urine.
- Many women do not want to wait long, start testing before the onset of a delay in menstruation. This is wrong, and questionable results are likely.
- Weak expression and color of the second strip does not mean an error. This is unlikely, but for reliability and more confidence, re-diagnose.
About errors. What affects the effectiveness of a pregnancy test?
Even a high-quality, expensive product can give errors. The reasons are improper use or violation of production technology and storage rules. A pregnancy test can show both a false negative (one strip) and a false positive (two strips) result. What are the reasons for the incorrect data? Consider the main provoking factors:
False negative result
- Poor urine quality
- Ovarian dysfunction;
- The use of diuretics, large amounts of fluids;
- Broken or expired test;
- Errors in timing;
- The likelihood of a problem pregnancy;
- Kidney pathology;
False positive result
- The use of fertility drugs containing hCG;
- The presence of a hormone-producing tumor;
- The consequences of an abortion;
- Spontaneous miscarriage;
In any case of an erroneous result, see your doctor. The specialist will identify the reasons for the absence of menstruation with a false positive result and will advise if it is confirmed.
For the doubters. How to check the veracity of the test?
Almost every second woman who took a pregnancy test, regardless of the result, has doubts about their veracity. The desire to play it safe, to be retested is normal. You can always do this for your own peace of mind.
Almost all known tests have a standard sensitivity, but there are some with much higher sensitivity. They are more expensive, however, having bought such a test, you can count on more reliable data.
Measure the basal temperature, if it is above normal (37 degrees) - this is most likely pregnancy. You can take a blood test for hCG levels or do an ultrasound. So you can find out about the presence and location of the ovum, thereby protecting yourself from the ectopic development of the embryo. See a doctor. An experienced specialist is able to determine the reason for the delay, tell you how to correctly calculate the gestational age and prepare for the appearance of the child.
It is almost impossible to determine pregnancy without a test and medical assistance. You can rely on the general symptoms that characterize this condition. Be attentive to the state of the body. Any changes are signals that need to be responded to in a timely manner. Pregnancy has its own signs of manifestation and recognition. Let's designate the main ones:
- Basal temperature is above 37 degrees;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Change in taste preferences;
- Increase in body weight;
- Pain in the mammary glands, in the area of the ovaries and uterus;
- Discharge from the genitals;
- Increased sex drive;
- Drowsiness, mood swings, irritability;
- Increased urge to urinate.
The reliability of the diagnosis, based on symptoms characteristic of pregnancy and one's own intuition, requires confirmation and rechecking by other methods. Many of the symptoms described are characteristic of a number of dangerous female diseases.
Modern women are more fortunate. Unlike their predecessors, who had to wait weeks and months to find out about a possible conception, today you can do a pregnancy test at home. Previously, such methods were not available, but our grandmothers were distinguished by their ingenuity. They applied their own methods, which are still not forgotten. The most commonly used soda and iodine. A teaspoon of soda was added to the urine and the reaction of the solution was monitored. Active hissing indicated pregnancy; with a positive result, the soda settled on the bottom of the container. The procedure with iodine was also interesting. A few drops were added to the urine and the reaction was monitored. During pregnancy, iodine spots merge, if not, they dissolve.
It is difficult to say how effective these affordable and inexpensive methods are. In the absence of others, there may have been coincidences, and yet it is better not to engage in experiments. If it were that simple, drugstore counters would not be full of such a variety of pregnancy tests. Their effectiveness and reliability have been proven and proven.
Women turn to tests to make sure of a possible pregnancy and, if necessary, to take the situation under control. With the help of express diagnostics, it is possible to determine only the existence of pregnancy, how it proceeds will not be shown by testing. Even the most correct pregnancy test does not negate the examination by a gynecologist. First of all, this is necessary for the safety of the woman herself and the unborn baby.
All women of childbearing age are worried about their possibility of getting pregnant, but if some are looking forward to the cherished appearance of two stripes, others shudder at the thought of a possible pregnancy. If the next menstruation does not come on time, then this often becomes a cause for concern, which can be eliminated by a home pregnancy test - every modern woman can do it on her own.
When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?
Pregnancy tests are the easiest home method to determine if you are pregnant. In order to find out exactly when it is already possible to do a pregnancy test, it is necessary to understand the very principle of its action. A pregnancy test determines the level of a special hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which begins to be released immediately after the implantation of a fertilized egg into the wall of the uterus. Every 24 hours, the level of this pregnancy hormone increases approximately 2 times, therefore, with each passing day, the probability of a reliable test increases. If you do the test too early, then even if you are pregnant, the test may not be able to determine it, however, it all depends on the sensitivity of the test.
It is better to do a pregnancy test no earlier than the first day of the delay, although theoretically there are tests, the manufacturers of which claim that they can determine the fact of fertilization even before the expected date of the onset of menstruation. In any case, there is no need to rush.
It is best to do a pregnancy test after 4-7 days of delay, then the test will show the most reliable information.
What will the pregnancy test show before the delay and is it worth doing?
Chorionic gonadotropin is constantly secreted in small amounts in a woman's body, but only during pregnancy does its level increase sharply - a hormone produced by the fetal chorion is added to the "background" indicator of a woman's body, and the amount of this hormone progressively increases with the development of pregnancy. HCG begins to enter the woman's body only after implantation of the ovum into the wall of the uterus, which usually occurs at 3-4 weeks of pregnancy (21-28 days from the beginning of the last menstruation in a woman) - in time it coincides with the date of the expected menstruation, therefore doing a pregnancy test before the delay is pointless.
In the blood, the level of hCG rises earlier, and when a certain concentration is reached, this hormone begins to be released in the woman's urine - it is at this moment that it becomes possible to perform a home pregnancy test.
What time of day can a pregnancy test be done, in the morning or in the evening?
The result of a pregnancy test directly depends on what time of day it was done.
To obtain the most reliable result, it is recommended to carry out the test in the morning, simultaneously with the very first urination.
It is early in the morning that the maximum concentration of the hCG hormone will be in the urine. This is especially important in the first days after a delay in menstruation - in the morning in the body, the concentration of the hormone is maximum, but as pregnancy progresses, after a 10-15 day delay, the test can be performed at any time of the day. In addition, you can use a highly sensitive inkjet test - most manufacturers of such systems for home pregnancy confirmation claim that their products can be used at any time of the day.
How to do a pregnancy test correctly?
The technology for conducting a home pregnancy test completely depends on which test was chosen. First of all, you should check that the test has not expired yet, otherwise the results will be incorrect regardless of the application technology.
- The most common type of pregnancy test is a test strip, which requires collecting morning urine in a sterile container and lowering the strip to the marked border (it is usually drawn in red or blue just below the middle of the test). After a couple of minutes, you will be able to find out the result. Such a popularity of this test is due to its low cost.
- When using plate tests, urine must also be collected in a sterile container, but are considered more accurate than test strips. In this case, using a pipette, you need to drop a few drops of urine from the container into a specially designated place. The result will be received in about the same period of time.
- Inkjet tests are considered to be the most modern and innovative. Their convenience is that there is no need to collect urine; it is only necessary to place a strip of dough directly under the stream for a few seconds while urinating.
Before using any type of pregnancy test, you must carefully read its instructions. It should be remembered that you should not touch anything to the area where urine will get into.
What do the stripes on a pregnancy test mean? How to read test results correctly?
Positive and negative pregnancy test Immediately after the packaging of the pregnancy test is removed, 1 red strip can be seen on its surface. Its presence indicates that the test is operational and ready for use, but if the strip is not completely red, but a little pinkish or blurry, then you should not conduct an analysis, since the test system turned out to be defective.
If, after the correct test, it turned out that the strip remained 1, then this most likely means the absence of pregnancy. In the event that a second red stripe has appeared, this may signal the birth of a new life.
How does the test determine if you are pregnant?
The test is designed in such a way that it determines the amount of hCG hormone in the urine, due to which pregnancy develops at first. Depending on the sensitivity of the test, it can show reliable results at different times. This means that the least sensitive tests will accurately determine pregnancy after 5-7 days of delay, and the most sensitive ones can do this even before the expected date of the onset of menstruation or on the first day of the delay. 
Can I be pregnant if the test is negative?
In theory, this is possible if stale urine was taken, the test was overdue, there are kidney dysfunctions, the woman drank too much fluids the day before testing, and the test was performed too early, or there is a serious risk of miscarriage.
Of course, no pregnancy test can give a 100% probability of the veracity of the result, so they may well be wrong. This can happen both due to non-compliance with the technology of use, and due to the presence of any health problems, in which the hCG level may also be wrong. That is why it is necessary, if there is any suspicion, to consult a gynecologist, who can definitely establish or deny the presence of pregnancy.
When or how long does it take to get a repeat pregnancy test?
It is worth doing a repeated pregnancy test no earlier than 2 days after the previous one. If the test is negative, and menstruation still does not come, you can repeat the test after another 2 days. If there is no result, the next time it is necessary to consult a doctor who will find out the reason for the absence of menstruation.
What does it mean when the second strip on the dough is weak, fuzzy, pale, or barely visible?
Most often, a fuzzy second line means a poor-quality test, but if similar results were obtained on several tests from different companies, then this should be a cause for concern. It is possible that a woman is pregnant, but she has a lack of the hCG hormone or a high probability of miscarriage.
Sometimes a second strip may appear on the test 15-60 minutes after it is carried out due to the evaporation of moisture and the release of the dye, but this does not mean that the hCG level is increased, such a result is unreliable.
We invite you to watch a video on how to use the test strip correctly:
Can the same pregnancy test be used twice?
All pregnancy tests are disposable and cannot be reused by the technology.
Almost all modern test systems, when used correctly, help to determine pregnancy at the earliest possible date. Among themselves, such tests differ in sensitivity (the most accurate are inkjet), the method of use and the cost of such a diagnostic system, but they all remain affordable. When determining pregnancy at home, it is important to adhere to the instructions that each manufacturer places on the test package - this significantly increases the information content of the study. It must also be remembered that in case of any doubts as a result of the test, consultation of a qualified gynecologist is necessary.
So, you saw the cherished two stripes on the test, but doubts creep into your head - what if a mistake? We've collected answers to the 10 most common questions about pregnancy tests.
1. How does a pregnancy test work?
All pregnancy tests work according to the same principle - they recognize in urine (tests for home use) or blood (laboratory tests) a special hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It is only produced during pregnancy. A non-pregnant woman simply cannot have it. The level of hCG in the body from the moment the ovum is attached to the wall of the uterus doubles approximately every 2-3 days and reaches a maximum by 7-12 weeks of pregnancy. Its presence in the blood and urine persists until about the third week after the birth of the baby.
2. Can a pregnancy test be done during the day? What time of day is it better to do?
Usually, morning urine is used to test for pregnancy, as it is more concentrated. But there is a test that can be done both during the day and in the evening - the exact time does not matter. This is an inkjet test. They are especially sensitive (look for a mark on the packaging - 10 mMU / ml), and when using them, urine does not need to be collected anywhere - just put the test under the stream.
3. Are pregnancy tests wrong?
All instructions say that pregnancy tests are 95-99% accurate. This means that there is a chance that the result will be incorrect. So, false negative the result (the test does not show pregnancy, although it is) is possible if:
you took the test too early and the hCG level in your urine is still too low;
the test has expired (read the packaging carefully before buying the test);
you did the test incorrectly (read the instructions carefully, everything is extremely simple there);
Drinking too much fluid the day before the test can dilute the urine and reduce the concentration of hCG.
The test can also show and false positive result (there is no pregnancy, but the test says there is).
This happens if you are taking fertility drugs that include hCG (usually in the form of injections);
In the presence of malignant tumors;
A positive pregnancy test result may also mean that the remains of the ovum remain in the uterus after a premature birth or miscarriage.
4. On what day of delay is the test done? Does it make sense to do a pregnancy test before the delay?
The sensitivity of pregnancy tests plays an important role. Typically, most tests have a sensitivity of 20–25 mMU / ml (international units per ml). They are able to recognize pregnancy only from the first day of missed periods. Whereas there are more sensitive (10 mMU / ml), but also more expensive tests that determine pregnancy before the delay - already after 7-10 days from the moment of the alleged conception. And after a week of delay, pregnancy (if any) will show any tests. The level of hCG in the blood grows faster than in urine, so pregnancy can be determined even before the expected period (but not earlier than 7 days from the date of the intended conception) - using a blood test for hCG, which can be done in an antenatal clinic or in commercial laboratories.
5. How to use a pregnancy test correctly?
Pregnancy tests are different, and you need to use them in accordance with the instructions for each of them. For instance:
Strip tests (test strips)
These are the simplest, cheapest and most common tests. The strip should be lowered for 10–20 seconds to a certain mark in a container with morning urine (it is the most concentrated). After that, the test should be placed on a horizontal surface and after a few minutes the result can be evaluated. One strip - you are not pregnant, the test showed two strips - pregnancy has come.
Tablet tests
They are arranged in the same way as strip tests. Only the paper strip is housed here in a plastic case. And the pre-collected morning urine must be dropped into a special hole with a pipette attached to the test. One or two strips on the test will also tell about the result.
Inkjet tests
Their convenience is that the urine does not need to be collected anywhere - it is enough to place the test under the stream. In this case, urine does not have to be in the morning. Pregnancy inkjet tests are usually more sensitive. And again, a positive test result is two strips, and if only one strip appears, then the test showed a negative result.
Electronic tests
These tests have a special strip - a sample receiver, which can optionally be lowered into a container of urine or placed under the stream. The result is read after 3 minutes. If “+” or “pregnant” appears on the test - you are pregnant, if “-” or “not pregnant” - no.
6. Why is there a weak second streak?
Even if the test showed a weak second strip, it still means that you are pregnant, just the level of hCG in your blood is not yet that high. If in doubt, retest after 3-4 days. The hCG level will become much higher, and then the strip will already be much brighter.
7. The best pregnancy test - what is it?
The answer to this question may vary depending on what you are looking for. If you want to know as early as possible if you are pregnant, then it is best to donate blood in the laboratory (no earlier than 7 days after the intended conception). If convenience is important to you, then some people prefer inkjet tests that can be used during the day and for which there is no need to collect urine anywhere. To some, on the contrary, putting the test under the stream seems to be a laborious task, and it is easier for them to collect urine in a special jar, and then put the cheapest paper test (strip test) there.
8. Online pregnancy test - what is it?
At best, it’s just a hoax. At worst, it is a way to make money for scammers (when, for example, to pass a test, you first need to send an SMS to a certain number). These tests are different. Some suggest putting your finger on the blue square on the screen, and if within a few minutes it turns red, you are pregnant. However, even if you do not put your finger on the screen, the square will turn red after a while by itself. Other tests ask a series of questions to be answered before reaching a verdict. For example, "Have you had unprotected intercourse recently?" and "Do you feel breast engorgement?"
9. Does the test show an ectopic pregnancy?
If the fertilized egg has attached outside the uterus, a routine pregnancy test will still be positive. True, if you do not intervene in time, the ectopic pregnancy will terminate itself at 7-8 weeks, and all this will be accompanied by significant blood loss, pain and serious problems for the woman's health. In order not to lead to this, it is better to detect early signs of an ectopic pregnancy in advance and terminate such a pregnancy in a hospital. An ectopic pregnancy may be indicated, in particular, by pulling pains in the lower abdomen and spotting against the background of a positive pregnancy test. If you notice these symptoms in yourself, immediately go to the gynecologist. He will carry out, and if the pregnancy is ectopic, then there will be no fetal egg in the uterus, but there will be an overgrowth of the epithelium, as in a normal pregnancy. If you belong to a risk group (adhesions, inflammation of the appendages, an ectopic pregnancy has already happened before), it is better to do a high-quality blood test over time. With an ectopic pregnancy, the level of hCG in the blood is lower than with a normal one, and the test will immediately show this.
10. How long does the test show? Will the test show the week of pregnancy?
No test strip, tablet, inkjet, or electronic test will tell you how long you are pregnant. They are of an exclusively qualitative nature - "yes" or "no". But you can still find out the approximate gestational age. If you do a quantitative blood test in the laboratory. He will determine the exact level of hCG in the blood, after which the doctor will be able to tell which week of pregnancy it corresponds to. Doing such a test is, in particular, useful to recognize a missed pregnancy in the early stages. If the embryo freezes in development, the hCG level stops growing, which will be seen in this analysis.
Aglaya Yaermund
