Pregnancy Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful phases in a woman's life. First time pregnancy gives a woman a sense of completeness. However, this beautiful phase needs a lot of care too. For pregnancy involves creating a healthy baby from a single cell!

Many women do not realize they are pregnant until 6 weeks have passed. Then there are some who know they are pregnant from week 3! It is not always feasible to go to a doctor whenever your period is delayed. The reason could be anything other than pregnancy! The most popular way of determining whether one is pregnant is by using HPTs or Home Pregnancy Tests. These tests can show results within a week of your missing your period.

How Do You Use Home Pregnancy Tests?

The best answer for this question is Follow the directions on the package. Do not forget to check the expiration date - An old test kit may be ineffective and a waste of money!

Usually these tests are taken in the morning. They require you to collect your urine in a cup and dip a stick in it. This special stick changes color if the result is positive. Some tests require the woman to use a dropper and drop a few drops of urine in a specially designed panel.

These tests cannot be done at anytime during the day. The early morning urine is said to be rich in hCG levels. It is suggested that you take the tests at least a week after you miss your periods. The hCG levels are high enough to be recorded. Using a HPT immediately a day after a missed period will rarely give an accurate result.

Always remember, very rarely do you get a false positive. A positive is a positive- no matter how light the signal is! Moreover, never believe a negative result if you are experiencing other confirmed pregnancy symptoms.

HPT Vs Blood Tests

HPT gives a woman more privacy than a blood test. Usually nowadays, women do a home pregnancy test and visit the doctor after the results show positive. Blood tests for pregnancy can be done only under the supervision of a doctor. Blood tests can detect pregnancy faster that the urine tests. One can know whether she is pregnant as early as 1 week after ovulation! Nevertheless, home urine tests can reduce the mental pressure on the couples who have been trying to conceive a long time and cannot stand frequent disappointments at the clinic.

Couples or women can choose which test they would like keeping in mind the time they have at hand.