How to confirm pregnancy is the most commonly asked question by many women. To be a mother is the most delightful experience a woman can have. Pregnancy tests are the starting point for many women on their pregnancy journey. Moreover, anxiety about the results can make you nervous.
If you are planning for pregnancy and have regular menstrual cycles, get thrilled for your exciting news if you miss your periods, yes.. one of the most familiar symptoms in pregnancy. You can confirm by urine test or blood test at the earlier followed by ultrasound later.
WHAT DO YOU TEST:
You might be curious in knowing when and what tests are required to confirm your pregnancy. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, the hormone concentration rapidly goes up. Pregnancy hormone namely Human Chorionic Gonadotropin(β HCG) is detectable as early as 6 to 11 days after conception, even before the next period. At about 4 weeks gestation the levels of HCG double approximately every 2 days.
WHEN DO YOU TEST(TIMING):
- Urine Test: This test can be done from the first day of a missed period in women with regular periods.
- Blood Test: This test can be done even before you miss your periods. It becomes positive almost 1 week after ovulation or 7-10 days after conception.
- Scan: Early pregnancy can be seen as early as 4 weeks of gestation although the dating scan is advised after 6 weeks of gestation.
URINE PREGNANCY TEST:
This is the most common method for diagnosing pregnancy. You can read the results in less than three minutes. Although a 1st-morning urine specimen is preferred, the test can be done at any time of the day. Moreover don’t drink too much water before taking the test. Usually, the test strip has a control window that shows up first.
If you see two lines, it means that your pregnancy test is positive. Most home pregnancy tests are 98% accurate if used correctly. You can get a negative result if you take the test too soon. In that case, you can repeat the test after one week. This test detects a urine HCG level of 20-50 mIU/ml.
BLOOD TEST(SERUM β HCG):
It is the most sensitive method for detecting HCG in early pregnancy.HCG levels as low as 2-20 mIU/ml can be detected. It is more sensitive than urine pregnancy tests, but not routinely used for diagnosis or confirmation of pregnancy.
It is particularly useful in women who undergo ART(Assisted Reproduction), suspected ectopic pregnancy, or follow-up of molar pregnancy. The sandwich ELISA is commonly used although radioimmunoassay and fluoroimmunoassay are very sensitive and can detect β HCG as low as 5mIU/ml and 1 mIU/ml respectively.
CAN I GET A FALSE NEGATIVE PREGNANCY TEST?
Well, you might now know how to confirm your pregnancy through various tests. Some reasons for false negative results may be
- Testing is done too early,
- Wrong dates due to irregular periods.
CAN THERE BE FALSE POSITIVE PREGNANCY TESTS:
Some reasons for false positive results may be
- If it’s a “Biochemical pregnancy” where there is a pregnancy loss before implantation, β HCG is still positive
- Exogenous HCG administered as part of the treatment of infertility.
- HCG secretion from tumor
ULTRASOUND CONFIRMATION OF PREGNANCY:
An ultrasound scan in pregnancy is the final confirmation for the same. Sonographic examination of the uterus helps to detect the following:
- Presence of pregnancy(gestational sac) whether an intrauterine or extrauterine (ectopic)
- Number of pregnancies
- Cardiac activity.
TVS(Transvaginal ultrasound) is more accurate than TVS(Transabdominal ultrasound) for early first-trimester evaluation of pregnancy.
Thus to conclude, first use a home pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy at an early stage. If you feel not satisfied then consult your obstetrician. If the results are positive, follow the instructions of your obstetrician and have a healthy stay during pregnancy. Have a happy family and enjoy your pregnancy journey.
