Understanding Pregnancy Tests: Types and Accuracy

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How does a pregnancy test work?

Pregnancy tests check your pee or blood for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Your body makes this hormone when you're pregnant and a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of your uterus. This usually happens about 6 days after fertilization. Levels of HCG rise quickly, doubling every 2 to 3 days.

What does a positive pregnancy test mean?

A pregnancy test is a way to determine if you’re pregnant. If your pregnancy test is positive, it means you’re pregnant. If the test is negative, it means you aren’t pregnant. Pregnancy tests work by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone your body makes when you’re pregnant.

What are the different types of pregnancy tests?

There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood tests. Urine tests are typically done at home — though you can have a urine test done at your healthcare provider’s office — while your provider performs a blood test. An at-home test uses your pee to look for HCG. They contain special strips that detect HCG.

How do you test for pregnancy using blood?

There are two ways to check for pregnancy using blood: a quantitative and qualitative HCG test. A quantitative blood test measures the exact amount of HCG present in the blood. A qualitative test detects whether HCG is present or not. Blood testing has some advantages. It allows for early pregnancy detection, and it can measure HCG concentration.

How do pregnancy tests work?

All pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which starts to be produced around 6 days after fertilisation. Most pregnancy tests come in a box that contains 1 or 2 long sticks. You pee on the stick and the result appears on the stick after a few minutes.

How do I know if I am pregnant?

You can often tell if you’re pregnant by noticing at least one common symptom. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of pregnancy, you should take a home pregnancy test or visit your doctor to confirm the pregnancy. You’ll likely get accurate results from a pregnancy test one day after your first missed period.

What Is Pregnancy Tests

1. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/doing-a-pregnancy-test/
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9703-pregnancy-tests
3. https://uk.clearblue.com/pregnancy-tests/early-pregnancy-testing
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/tests
5. https://www.webmd.com/baby/pregnancy-tests
6. https://www.verywellhealth.com/pregnancy-test-5114746
7. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295001
8. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/pregnancy-tests

Pregnancy Tests Information

1. https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/taking-pregnancy-test
2. https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/performing-a-pregnancy-test-information-for-patients/