Pregnancy Tests

Am I Pregnant?

Using home pregnancy tests can be an emotional and confusing process. Is that a faint pink line or is it just my imagination? Am I testing too early after my missed period? Read on to find out how and when you can tell if you're pregnant.

• How do pregnancy tests work?
• What's the difference between pregnancy tests that check urine and those that test blood?
• How do you do a home pregnancy test?
• How accurate are home pregnancy tests?
• Which brand of pregnancy test is the most accurate?
• How soon after a missed period can I take a home pregnancy test and get accurate results?
• I got a negative result on a home pregnancy test. Might I still be pregnant?
• Can anything interfere with home pregnancy test results?

How do pregnancy tests work?

Pregnancy tests look for a special hormone in the urine or blood that is only there when a woman is pregnant. This hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), can also be called the pregnancy hormone.

The pregnancy hormone, hCG, is made in your body when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 6 days after conception. But studies show that the embryo doesn't implant until later in some women. The amount of hCG increases drastically with each passing day you are pregnant .

Many home pregnancy tests claim they can tell if you're pregnant on the day you expect your period. But a recent study shows that most don't give accurate results this early in pregnancy . Waiting one week after a missed period will usually give a more accurate answer.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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