If you doubt that you are pregnant, then you can get a pregnancy test to check for your pregnancy status. Here, the test measures the pregnancy hormone ? human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the blood or urine. So, if you have an undesired pregnancy, then you can take either of these tests for confirmation. HCG comes into existence after implantation. So, if the pregnancy is in the uterus, the fetus will be attached to the placenta, which is the origination of this hormone.
In this post, we will talk about blood pregnancy tests and those conducted through urine examination.
What is a Urine Pregnancy Test?
If you have passed at least a week after missing your period, then you can go for a urine pregnancy test. Here, the healthcare provider can help you or you can even opt for a home test kit. Usually, females choose a pregnancy test at home that requires a few drops of urine as a sample to check for the HCG hormone level. If the kit tests you positive for conceiving, then it may indicate that you are pregnant. This test has an accuracy rate of 97% to 99%.
What is a Blood Pregnancy Test?
You need to visit a healthcare provider or laboratory for a blood pregnancy test. You cannot avail of a home test kit for it. The lab person will collect your blood sample and check for the HCG hormone. This test is more accurate than the urine pregnancy test as it can detect even a smaller amount of the said pregnancy hormone. Women who test positive on a urine test, prefer to once at least get a blood test for pregnancy for reconfirmation.
So, with a blood pregnancy test, it is possible to detect pregnancy soon after missing a period or even before it. The accuracy rate of this examination method is 99%. Many women may even directly get a blood test done to know if they are pregnant or not.
When is the Right Time to Get a Pregnancy Test?
You may wonder when to check for pregnancy. The best time to confirm the fact is after two weeks of unprotected intercourse, or if you think the contraception has failed. The pregnancy test is more popular for women with an undesired pregnancy but even if it is a planned one, you can go for it. And more importantly, definitely get one if you find symptoms of pregnancy. Now the signs of pregnancy may differ from one person to another, but the most common effect is a missed period.
Apart from that, you may encounter tiredness, tender or swollen breasts, mood swings, vomiting, or nausea tendency. Or, you may even experience bloating in the abdomen, frequent urination, and other changes that seem uncommon to you.
How is a Urine and Blood Pregnancy Test Conducted?
The easiest and most inexpensive way to know you have a pregnancy is a home pregnancy kit or urine pregnancy kit. This is commonly available as a dipstick or collection cup. If you are using a dipstick then hold it in your morning urine steam for a few seconds. Or if you are utilizing a collection cup, then put the dipstick in the cup containing the urine sample for a few seconds. The dipstick will display the result after a few minutes.
Depending on the type of pregnancy kit you have chosen, the result may show up as a single or double line, plus or minus sign, with the words ?not pregnant? or ?pregnant?. You can repeat the test after a few days if it shows as negative. But for blood pregnancy tests, you need to visit a clinic where the healthcare person will draw blood samples from the vein in your hand. Through the needle used to collect the blood, the same goes into a vial or test tube.
To Conclude
The blood and urine pregnancy test both check for HCH hormone in the sample provided to confirm if you are pregnant or not. If the blood test displays a low HCG level, then it could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that happens outside the uterus. In this case, you need to go for invasive pregnancy termination, as otherwise for the woman, it could turn out to be life-threatening.
