Home pregnancy tests - are you pregnant ?

  What are they? How do they work? How to use them?

A home pregnancy test measures the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic
gonadotropin) in your urine. HCG, is produced in the placenta shortly after the embryo implants it self in your uterus. HCG levels peak between the 60th and 90th day of pregnancy.

Not all pregnancy tests are the same. Some are more sensitive because they can detect pregnancy even if you have only a small amount of hCG in your system. Concentrations of hCG are reported in milliInternational Units (mIU) or amounts equal to 1/1000th of an IU per milliliter. A test with a sensitivity of 20 IU/L is more sensitive than one with 50 IU/L. You should be able to find this information on any home pregnancy test box.

How do I use a home pregnancy test?
First, read the instructions carefully, because they vary with different brands. Usually the instructions are very comprehensive. Some require you to place a small urine sample into a testing tube, using a dropper. Others let you urinate directly onto a test stick. But, basically, all pregnancy tests work the same way - they measure the amount of hCG in your body. What’s different is how they display results (positive or negative): Some show pink or blue lines on the test strip, while others reveal a red plus or minus sign in a window or change the color of the urine sample. It is best to perform the test immediately in the morning when your urine is most concentrated.

You can have results in about three to five minutes. Depending on the brand you use. These minutes may seem like eternety to you. It’s a good idea to have someone with you while you wait, your partner or a friend, to share the result with.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests?
If you follow the instructions carefully, home pregnancy tests are 97 percent accurate. But mistakes do happen. Some kits come with two tests so you can double check if you wish. There are several reasons why a home pregnancy test may be negative: You may not be pregnant or your body may not be making a normal amount of hCG. If you test too early (before the first day of your missed period), you may get a false negative result because not enough of the hormone has built up in your system. If the test result is negative but you still suspect you’re pregnant, wait a few days, read the instructions carefully, and try again. Maybe the amount of hCG in your urine wasn’t high enough yet. False positive results - when the test says you’re pregnant but you’re not - are very rare.

You can buy home pregnancy tests at most drugstores and pharmacies. You can also, conveniently, purchase them on line. Prices run between $8 and $12.

When those long five minutes of waiting for the test result are finally over and you discover that you are indeed pregnant it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your obstetrician.

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