Pregnancy is confirmed with a pregnancy test. A pregnancy test can be performed on either urine or blood. Pregnancy tests detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta about 10 days after fertilization. Levels of the hCG hormone approximately double every two days during the first 60 days of pregnancy.
Pregnancy tests look for a special hormone in the urine or blood that is only there when a woman is pregnant. This hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), can also be called the pregnancy hormone.
According to most manufacturers, home pregnancy tests are about 99% effective when used as instructed. That's about the same accuracy rate as most urine pregnancy tests performed in a doctor's office. The tests are available in most pharmacies and do not require a prescription.
A pregnancy test attempts to determine whether or not a female is pregnant. Records of attempts at pregnancy testing have been found as far back as the ancient Greek and ancient Egyptian cultures. Modern pregnancy tests look for chemical markers associated with pregnancy. These markers are found in urine and blood, and pregnancy tests require sampling one of these substances.
The most sensitive test of pregnancy is best performed by a laboratory using a sample of your blood. These tests not only detect hCG but also can indicate the amount (quantitative tests) of the hormone, which doubles every 2-3 days during the first several weeks of pregnancy. These more sensitive tests can tell how long you have been pregnant and even detect possible problems with the pregnancy.
Pregnancy tests are very accurate as long as you use them properly. It's possible to have a false negative, when the test says you aren't pregnant but you are. If your period still doesn't arrive, repeat the test or check with your GP.
Home pregnancy tests measure the presence of a telltale hormone in your urine called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone, produced by cells from the placenta, first gets into your bloodstream when the fertilized egg implants in your uterus (about six days after fertilization). The amount of hCG in your body then increases rapidly over the next few weeks, doubling in amount about every two days.
While most home tests can detect a level of 15-50 mIU/mL of hCG, the enhanced methodology of the USB Pregnancy Test Kit can detect 5-50 mIU/mL, and will show you the exact concentration via its friendly onscreen interface. In addition, the LCD display on the device itself will light up and show you the symbol of a baby, no baby, or multiples and your Estimated Delivery Date based on the concentration of hCG, hCG-H, and LH in your urine. So you can clear your calendar in advance.
Most home pregnancy tests can be carried out from the day your period is due. Count the number of days from the first day of your period until the day before your next period starts this will give you your usual cycle length. Allow for your longest recent cycle length before testing, if you have irregular cycles. If you don't know when your next period is due, wait at least 19 days after you last had unprotected sex before testing.
