Are you caught in the stressful two-week wait? After carefully tracking your ovulation and trying to conceive, you’re left wondering if pregnancy is on the horizon or if your period is about to arrive. It’s a whirlwind of emotions, and the questions won’t stop coming: “Should I test now or wait?” and “Which pregnancy test is most reliable?”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Let’s clear up the confusion by exploring different pregnancy tests, their accuracy, and when to take them for best results.
What Is A Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test is a simple tool used to find out if a woman is pregnant. It detects a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine or blood, which is secreted shortly after a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine lining.
Types Of Pregnancy Tests:
1. Urine Test:
It’s commonly called a strip test and is the easiest and most popular way to confirm pregnancy at home. It tests for hCG levels in the urine and provides results within minutes. For best results, use the first-morning urine sample when hCG levels are at their peak. If used as instructed, these tests may be 99% accurate.
2. Blood Tests (Digital):
Blood pregnancy tests are taken at a clinic and are much more sensitive than urine tests. Blood tests can be positive as early as 6–8 days after ovulation. There are two major types of blood tests, namely:
- Quantitative Blood Test: It measures the exact amount of hCG in the blood.
- Qualitative Blood Test: It checks if hCG is present and provides a simple yes or no result.
How Pregnancy Tests Actually Work
A digital blood test uses a special sensor that indicates the result directly as “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant.” These tests, however, are a bit more costly. Urine tests are inexpensive, and they require the user to interpret the results based on the appearance of two colour-changing marker lines. Urine tests may sometimes give a false negative or false positive result. So it’s wise to be careful when using a home pregnancy test.
How To Use A Home Pregnancy Test
- Begin by carefully reading the instructions, as they vary slightly with each kit.
- Based on the instructions, place the stick in the path of urine stream
- Or put 2-3 drops of urine on the sample slot provided in the device.
- Wait for 5 minutes and check the device for visible lines.
The Results:
Typically, two vertical pink lines on the kit mean that hCG is present in the urine, indicating that you may be pregnant. If there is one line, it means you’re not! However, if you’re unsure, you can repeat the test the next day. And for more accuracy and confirmation, a digital blood test is recommended.
The Bottom Line..
Taking a pregnancy test is the first step toward an exciting journey into parenthood. It’s not just about confirming the big news but also about preparing for everything that follows. As you take steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy, don’t forget to think ahead about your baby’s future.
The umbilical cord, which plays a vital role during pregnancy, becomes a source of life-saving stem cells at birth. It contains powerful stem cells that can protect your baby and family from the impact of 80+ medical conditions. That’s why instead of discarding it, preserve this valuable resource with LifeCell, India’s largest and most trusted stem cell bank. With LifeCell, you get:
- Unlimited sample retrievals
- >97 chance of finding a stem cell match of Indian origin and much more!
Please visit their website www.lifecell.in, to learn more.
