When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test

It helps when you think you may be pregnant, to know when you can take a pregnancy test. But timing depends on what type of test you are taking. There are types, a blood test and a urine test. Both look for the same hormone though, one that is only in a woman’s body if she is pregnant. Called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, it is also usually referred to as hCG. The difference between the two tests in when they can detect the hCG. Blood tests can find it six to eight days after ovulation, and usually urine ones is about two weeks after.

When women choose to do a home test this is one that tests her urine for the pregnancy hormone. The benefits of home pregnancy tests are that they are cheap, easy and more importantly private. You can take the test when you are ready and can react however you want to. Nobody needs to know you have taken it. The urine you test should be the first of the morning as the hCG is most easiest to detect in that urine. If you do get a positive result from a home test you then need to make an appointment with your doctor as he or she can confirm it with a blood test and also give a pelvic exam.

Home pregnancy tests are ninety per cent or more accurate. It is best to take them after you have missed a period. If you try taking it too early there may not be enough of the hCG to detect yet and so it will give you a negative when that may not be the case. If you believe you are pregnant but get a negative result, take it again a week later (that is if you have still not started your period). At that point if you get a negative but are still unhappy with the result visit your doctor.

Pregnancy brings with it many joys, and some not so pleasant times! It is a complex process both physically and emotionally. Make sure you take care of yourself and if you are pregnant educate yourself on things like diet so that you give that little miracle the best possible start in life.

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