Taking a pregnancy test can be easily done with pregnancy test kits right from your local pharmacy or drug store.
It can be an exciting and emotional time when you find out you are pregnant. The days before can be filled with anxiety, hopefulness and anticipation. There was a time not so long ago that you had to wait for 2 weeks after your missed period and then visit the doctor who may or may not have been able to confirm your pregnancy. Sometimes you had to wait even longer and then take another test.
When To Take A Pregnancy Test
But these days things are different. There are tests available right at your local drugstore that can indicate pregnancy as early as the first day of your missed period, and yes there is a online pregnancy test, however for the most accurate results you should wait one week after your missed period.
The steps for using a pregnancy test are quite simple and you can perform the test right in the comfort of your own bathroom. Even so, you should consult with your doctor fairly soon after your positive pregnancy test so that you can begin your prenatal care.
The most common pregnancy tests use urine to detect human Chorionic Gonadotropin or hCG, which is the hormone that is triggered when an embryo implants in the uterine wall, however, it is also produced when the embryo mistakenly implants in the fallopian tube, which is known as an ectopic pregnancy.
There are two different types of pregnancy test. With the first type you collect your urine in a cup and then insert a special stick into the urine for a certain amount of time. This is the most accurate test. There are also tests which allow you to place the stick in your urine stream, which allows you to complete the test easily and in just a few seconds. Either way, the stick usually has a color indicator to tell you if the presence of hCG is there. If it is, Congratulations, you are pregnant, if not, then keep trying.
Pregnancy Test Brands
- EPT
- Clear Blue
- Equate
- Fact Plus
- First Response
Occasionally you will get a negative reading even when you are pregnant. This is because for whatever reason, the test was unable to confirm the hCG in your blood. If your period still doesn’t come and you think you may still be pregnant, take another test a day or two or even a week later, the results may be different. False positive tests are very rare, but false negative tests happen frequently. You just need to take another test later on.
The most accurate test of all is one that is performed in your doctor’s office. This is a blood based test and you will need to provide a few vials of blood. This test can correctly identify a pregnancy shortly after conception and before your missed period. If you have test positive on a urine based test you should see your doctor soon to begin your prenatal treatment and your doctor may perform the blood based test at that time.