How A Pregnancy Test Works

If you are aware of how a pregnancy test works, when the time comes that you may need to undertake a pregnancy test you will be far better informed, be able to understand the results properly and understand why you need to follow any instructions carefully.

Most pregnancy tests, whether it is a home pregnancy test or a test undertaken at the doctors, work in a similar way. When a woman is pregnant the body will produce a hormone called HCG, A pregnancy test will look for the beta subunit of HCG in the urine to confirm pregnancy or otherwise and will be detectable from six to twelve days after conception or fertilization. It is important therefore that the pregnancy test is taken in a timely manner, usually 2-3 weeks after ovulation or upon experiencing a missed or late period.

There are some pregnancy tests that claim to be able to detect the hormone HCG as early as 3-4 days before the next period is due but that will depend on the length of your luteal phase and how quickly the embryo implanted on the uterine wall.

Using a Home Pregnancy Test

A pregnancy test of this nature will come with detailed instructions which should be followed very closely. Typically, these pregnancy tests will involve you holding the test stick within your urine stream or collecting the urine in a receptacle with the test stick then being held in the fluid for a specified period.

The urine will need to interact with the test stick for a given length of time according to the instructions. Following this, the result will show in the results window - usually a plus (+) sign if the test is positive.

A good pregnancy test will also have a control or check indicator to confirm that the test is being undertaken properly and is working.

To improve the accuracy of the pregnancy test you must follow the instructions very carefully and to the letter. You do not want to go to the expense of purchasing a pregnancy test only for it to show an incorrect result because you did not follow the manufacturers’ precise instructions.


Recent Pregnancy Test News

<b>Pregnancy Test</b> Sensitivity Levels

Equate Pregnancy Test (Wal-mart), 25 mIU. Fact Plus Midstream Pregnancy Test, 25 mIU. First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test, 25 mIU. One Step Be Sure Pregnancy Test, 25 mIU. Right Aid Pregnancy Test, 25 mIU ... ...

The History of the <b>Pregnancy Test</b>

Most women do two, three, four tests before actually believing the results and I've come to believe that the single, most popular place to take a pregnancy test in America today is the Ladies Restroom at Walmart. ... ...

First Response Early Result <b>Pregnancy Test</b>, 3 tests

I love this pregnancy test. The first time I got pregnant I tried some others and they always confused the hell out of me (phantom plus signs, mixed with negative results from the other tests in the same box, being able to see part of ... ...