Types of Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy test is an invaluable tool for determining the presence of pregnancy. It is also useful in detecting the relatively rare condition known as false pregnancy. But when should you take a pregnancy test? Timing is an important factor as far as the accuracy of pregnancy tests are concerned. Absence of menstruation is one of the first signs of pregnancy. It is possible to predict the beginning of another life in the womb within just a few days of missing your menstrual period.

Pregnancy tests are used for detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone commonly known as hCG  in the blood or urine. This hormone is also referred to as the pregnancy hormone. There are basically two kinds of pregnancy tests, blood pregnancy tests and urine pregnancy tests.  They can be either conducted at a doctor’s clinic or in the privacy of one’s own home. Blood pregnancy tests, however, are conducted under the supervision of a gynecologist.

This is one of the best ways to confirm a pregnancy as it can detect the levels of hCG accurately apart from identifying any abnormality associated with it. A blood pregnancy test is also preferred by couples with  infertility problems as the test can  detect the pregnancy within a week of conception.

A urine pregnancy test is a relatively convenient and cheaper way to determine a pregnancy positively. ‘Do it yourself kits’ are available at every corner drugstores and can be easily bought over the counter. Urine pregnancy test kits generally consist of a cup along with a strip. You need to urinate in the cup and then dip the strip in the urine.

You also need to keep it immersed in the urine for certain period of time. You must follow the instructions to a pat if you want to see the results instantly. The outcome of the urine pregnancy test is more or less accurate too.  The test- strip changes color if hCG is detected within the urine thus confirming the condition. However, it is almost impossible to pinpoint the exact time of conception by means of a pregnancy test.