Tests Used to Confirm Pregnancy

Missed your periods and that too after an episode of unprotected sex? How to confirm pregnancy? It is advisable to confirm the status through the number of tests available. Identifying pregnancy is a matter of noticing a few of the common symptoms regarding the same. If one is experiencing any of the common symptoms of pregnancy, there are a number of options available for them. One could take a home pregnancy test or visit the doctor to confirm pregnancy. Accurate results from a pregnancy test are available one day after missing the first period. However, it is better to wait for at least a week after missing the period to be sure of the accuracy of the test results.

Symptoms of Pregnancy

Before the pregnancy, one may notice early signs and symptoms which indicate the same. Some of these symptoms include:

• A missed period
• Excessive urination- more than normal
• Swollen breasts
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Feeling exhausted

If one notices any of the above symptoms, it is best to consult the doctor, and more so, if one has had unprotected sex recently.

How to Confirm Pregnancy?

Some of the tests used to confirm pregnancy are-

Home Pregnancy Test

The home pregnancy test mostly gives accurate results a day after missing the first period. However, just to be sure, one could take the test a week after. These tests basically work on the principle of detection of human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) in the urine, which is only found in the body during pregnancy. When HCG comes in contact with the stick, a chemical already presents changes colour and usually takes a few minutes. The results may sometimes be false, which is why doctors suggest the patient takes the test twice. Home pregnancy tests are usually of 2 kinds- Strip Pregnancy Test- The most common type of pregnancy test kit, one needs to hold the strip under a stream of urine. If HCG is detected, the colour of the strip will change, confirming pregnancy. Cup Test Kit- This is a test device that has a urine collection cup with it. To perform the test, one needs to collect the urine in the cup as per the indications and dip the test device in it. If HCG is detected, the colour changes, indicating pregnancy.

Clinical Urine Test

The clinical urine test is done at the doctor’s clinic. However, the tests aren’t mandatorily more accurate than the home tests. The only important point here is that the clinical urine test may cost more than the home pregnancy test. The doctor ensures that any possible errors affecting the accuracy of the test are eliminated. One can expect the results usually within a week after the test is conducted.

Blood Tests

Blood Tests involve laboratory tests of the blood to detect HCG and a visit to the doctor’s clinic. Pregnancy blood tests may be of two types- Qualitative HCG Blood Test- This blood test sees whether there is the production of HCG in the body. It answers the simple question regarding pregnancy. Quantitative HCG Blood Test- This blood test measures the specific level of HCG in blood. This test is known to be accurate as it measures the correct figure of HCG in the blood. Moreover, they are able to detect lesser amounts of the hormone than the qualitative HCG blood test or urine test. If one feels that the HCG level is lower or higher than expected, the doctor may order more tests. They may ask for an ultrasound or repeat the HCG test in a couple of days. When one is unsure about the period dates, the HCG levels may appear abnormal. This could mean a host of thing, i.e., one is either not pregnant or have been pregnant longer than anticipated. Blood tests are able to detect HCG earlier as compared to urine tests and are also more expensive. Moreover, one has to wait much longer for the results in the case of Blood Tests. It usually takes more than a week to deliver. Home pregnancy tests are mostly accurate and ensure sufficient results provided one follows the instructions. However, one must get the urine test done, if at all in doubt about the status of the pregnancy. Once the results are in hand, a conversation with the doctor would help to determine the next steps.