Pregnancy Test (cont.)
Which brand of pregnancy test is the most accurate?
Some brands of tests can
pick up lower levels of hCG than others. But limited research makes it
impossible to say for sure which one is the best. Even so, two studies suggest
that First Response, Early Result Pregnancy Test may be more sensitive than
others. So for women who want test early, this may be a good choice.
How soon after a missed period can I take a home pregnancy test and get accurate results?
Many home pregnancy tests (HPTs) claim to be 99% accurate on
the day you miss your period. But research suggests that most HPTs do not
consistently spot pregnancy that early. And when they do, the results are often
so faint they are misunderstood. If you can wait one week after your missed
period, most home pregnancy tests will give you an accurate answer. Ask your
doctor for a more sensitive test if you need to know earlier.
When a home pregnancy test will give an accurate result depends on many
things. These include:
- How long it takes for the fertilized egg to implant in
the uterus after ovulation. Pregnancy tests look for the hormone human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG) that is only produced once the fertilized egg has implanted
in the uterine wall. In most cases, this happens about 6 days after conception.
But studies show that in up to 10 percent of women, the embryo doesn't implant
until much later, after the first day of the missed period. So, home pregnancy
tests will be accurate as soon as one day after a missed period for some women
but not for others.
- How you use them - Be sure to follow the directions and
check the expiration date.
- When you use them - The amount of hCG in a pregnant woman's
urine increases with time. So, the earlier after a missed period you take a HPT,
the harder it is to spot the hCG. If you wait one week after a missed period to
test, you are more apt to have an accurate result. Also, testing your urine
first thing in the morning may boost the accuracy.
- Who uses them - The amount of
hCG in the urine at different points in early pregnancy is different for every
woman. So, some women will have accurate results on the day of the missed period
while others will need to wait longer.
- The brand of test - Some home pregnancy
tests are more sensitive than others. So, some tests are better than others at
spotting hCG early on.
Next: I got a negative result on a home pregnancy test. Might I still be pregnant? »
- Pregnancy Symptoms - Read about early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), bloating, tender breasts, food cravings, headaches, moods swings and more on MedicineNet.com.
- Pregnancy (Stages - Trimesters of Pregnancy) - Learn what to expect during the three phases of pregnancy (1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester). Find out what changes in your body to expect, and how your baby will develop week by week.
- Pregnancy Planning - The goals of pregnancy planning are to create a healthy environment for the fetus and to prevent birth defects and other pregnancy related problems.
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