Thursday, February 5, 2009

The 411 on pregnancy tests

When should you take a pregnancy test?
How effective are they?
How do they work?

These are all very good questions, and things that you need to know if you suspect that you are expecting.  If you might be pregnant, you will want to know as soon as possible.
Home Pregnancy Tests are about 99% effective when taken correctly.  That is just as effective as urine tests taken at your doctors office.  The nice thing about taking a test at home is that you can do it in the privacy of your own bathroom, anytime you want.

When you "pee on the stick" a very glamourous thing to do might I add, the test is looking for the HCG hormone, or human chorionic gonadotropin.  HCG is released into the body by the placenta when a woman is pregnant detectable about 10 days after conception.  If the hormone is detected, the test reads positive, and you are pregnant!

The experts suggest waiting about 5 days after a missed period to take a test, however the test usually works just fine even 1 day after a missed period.  If you take the test too early and it says negative, you could still be pregnant.

Here are some pregnancy testing tips, to help you get the most correct response possible.
~ Take the test first thing in the morning.  HGC levels are highest in urine held in the bladder for at least 4 hours.
~Do not drink a lot before the test.  Your urine will become diluted.
~Read the instructions carefully before taking the test.

Pretty basic right?  And if you can't wait until a missed period, your doctor can give you a blood test about 7-10 days after conception.

And one last thing, it is VERY normal to take several tests.  Sometimes you have to see the result many times to believe it!  If you are one of these people, you may want to get your tests at the dollar store!

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