How does a pregnancy test work at all?

How does a pregnancy test work at all?

Most adults have seen them or heard of them - pregnancy tests. A home pregnancy test is usually the first step a woman does to find out if she is pregnant or not. But how do pregnancy tests work at all? Pregnancy tests identify a special hormone in the blood or urine of a woman that is produced during the very first days of a pregnancy. This hormone with the name "human chorionic gonadotropin" (HCG) is often referred to as the pregnancy hormone. Nowadays there are two basic types of pregnancy tests on the market. They either test the blood or the urine.

Home pregnancy tests are primarily urine tests. They are very easy to use, give you the option to confidential find out what is going on and they are inexpensive. Most test work very quick and are very accurate. Pregnancy tests can usually be purchased at drug stores and supermarkets. A prescription is not needed. False positives (results) are very rare, but a false negatives are possible if the test is done too early to have sufficient quantities of HCG in your urine. False negatives can usually be avoided by waiting until the period is due. Confirming a negative result with a second test a few days or a week later is only needed if you have possible pregnancy symptoms (feeling sick, vomiting). A positive result should be confirmed with a test of a different vendor. Always follow up on a positive result with a trip to your doctor for an 'official test' to get professional confirmation and to initiate prenatal care.

Please be aware that some medicines containing HCG can cause a false positive on your home pregnancy test, but most over-the-counter and prescription drugs will not affect test results. Consult with your doctor.

Blood (pregnancy) test results usually take a few days for the results to come in, and usually require a trip to the doctor. As you cannot purchase blood pregnancy tests over the counter we recommend to talk to your care provider or doctor about it.

It does not matter which type of pregnancy test you choose, it is important to remember that a follow-up trip to the doctor is very important for you and your new baby-to-come.