CVS Pregnancy Test (courtesy : www.epinions.com)

A diagnostic test that helps to confirm whether your baby has Down’s syndrome or another genetic abnormality, but does not tell whether your baby has spina bifida. The test is carried out between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. You have to wait about 10 days for the results. If in any case you want to terminated the pregnancy, you can do so well before you start to feel your baby kicking.

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In this test, a fine needle is put through the abdomen and, with the help of an ultrasound scan for guidance, the doctor removes a very small part of the placenta. After the test, the baby’s heartbeat is checked and then you have to spend the next two days quietly at home to avoid the risk of miscarriage.

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These tests detect the hCG, a hormone secreted by the cells that becomes the placenta. During pregnancy, the hCG levels rises rapidly following implantation, and doubles every 2 to 3 days for about 10 weeks. Those tests are said to be most sensitive, that detect the lowest concentration of hCG (in milli-International Units per milliliter of urine) and give the earliest reliable results.

The following table lists most of the common home pregnancy tests present in the market. The test with lowest hCG levels are able to detect pregnancy sooner than those rated for a higher level.

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Answer Pregnancy Test Kit (courtesy : www.amazon.com)

The pregnancy tests are based on the detection of the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), produced by the developing placenta, just after the embryo is implanted in the uterine lining. The hCG level increases rapidly, after the implantation is done. Answer pregnancy test, like others, measures the hCG in your urine.

The Answer Pregnancy test is best suitable for those who are nauseated while performing a pregnancy test. This test provides a disposable urine cup, a stick that can be dipped into the cup for five seconds, and then laid flat for two minutes, to show the results. The only problem with this kit is, that the stick does not come with a cap, meaning extra care must be taken, so that it does not get contaminated.

The result is shown in the following three ways:

The answer pregnancy test comes in two varieties:

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Equate Pregnancy Test (courtesy : www.flickr.com)

Similar to all other pregnancy tests, the Equate pregnancy test uses the same technique. It has a plastic stick with an absorbent tip, used to hold in the urine stream. It has two windows showing the result, one to confirm that the test was done correctly, and the other to indicate the result of pregnancy.

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(Blood Test (courtesy : www.associatedcontent.com)

Even after confirmed with home pregnancy test, doctors suggest to go with initial blood test for confirming pregnancy. The process of performing blood pregnancy test is very easy, just like a normal blood test. The reasons for this are:

Pregnancy can be confirmed and prenatal care can be taken.
You can check whether the pregnancy is progressing normally and discuss any issues, if found.
Confirmation of pregnancy is essential for public health care or other publicly funded programs.

Blood testing for pregnancy can be done by two ways:

Quantitative Blood Test: This test confirms pregnancy by measuring the exact amount of hCG present in bloodstream, and checks the pregnancy stage at present.

Qualitative Blood Test: This test confirms pregnancy by checking the presence of hCG in blood, does not measure hCG levels, rather is an indicative test to determine pregnancy.

Pros of blood testing are:

Capable to determine pregnancy at an earlier stage as compared to a urine test, in about 7-12 days from possible conception.
Can calculate the concentration of hCG hormone in your blood.

Cons of blood testing are:

Costlier than a urine test, as involves cost of the doctor’s visit and lab fees.
Requires time to get result.
Performed at the doctor’s office only.

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Home pregnancy test (courtesy : www.dkimages.com)

Home Pregnancy Test(Urine Test) is the most easiest method of checking pregnancy, and can be performed at home or in a clinic, by using pregnancy testing kit from the drug stores. It can be done in two ways, either collecting urine in a cup and dipping a stick into the urine, or keeping a stick into urine stream and catching in the midstream. The strip is designed to detect a pregnancy hormone called (hCG). If the urine changes color, then the test is considered to be positive, and pregnancy is confirmed.

This test measures the presence of a telltale hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. This hormone is produced by the cells from the placenta, when the embryo is implanted in your uterus, about six days after fertilization. In the next few weeks, the level of hCG in your body rises rapidly over the next few weeks, doubling every two days or so. All the signs and symptoms of pregnancy are caused due to the presence of this hormone.

Some points must be kept in mind while taking a home pregnancy test:

Use the first morning urine when possible, as this is highly concentrated with hCG .
Never drink excess fluids before the test, this might dilute the hCG levels.
Read instructions included in the test thoroughly, and follow every step carefully.

If there exists some complications in pregnancy, then the hCG levels may be low and non-detectable by a home pregnancy test. In that case, you can consult you doctor about the results of the test.

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(Ept Pregnancy Test box (courtesy : www.drugstore.com)

The EPT Pregnancy Test (Error Proof Test) is one of the most popular home pregnancy test manufactured by Pfizer. The main aim of home pregnancy test is to help you to check for your pregnancy in privacy at your home, before going for a medical visit. There are two types of home pregnancy tests:

EPT Certainty Digital Home Pregnancy Test
EPT +/- Home Pregnancy Test Kit

The EPT Pregnancy Test gives correct results with a digital readout having accuracy of 99% from the first day you missed your period. The test is done by calculating the detectable amounts of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine.

The EPT Pregnancy Test can be done by a simple four-steps:

Remove the cap.
Insert the test strip into the holder.
Hold the absorbent tip under your urine stream or in a cup of fresh urine for five to seven seconds.
Wait for three minutes to get the result.

For reading the result, wait for three minutes to get the result. A line will be seen in the square window as a control to show that you have done the test correctly. The result must be read before 10 minutes.

Plus (+) sign in the round window, shows that you are Pregnant. The lines that make the plus sign can be different shades of blue. Consult your gynecologist, to discuss your pregnancy and the next steps.
Minus (-) sign in the round window, shows that you are Not Pregnant. If your period does not start within a week, then again repeat the test. If still you get a negative result and your period has not started, consult your gynecologist.

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Fact Plus Pregnancy Test Kit (courtesy : www.amazon.com)

Checking for a pregnancy is not a simple task. No matter whether you are going for a positive or a negative test, the best is to wait, till the first or second day of a missed period. The hormone levels of hCG, that are used to determine pregnancy, may not be in sufficient amount to determine pregnancy. For one who has irregular periods, you should test after fourteen days of conception.

It is always suggested to test early in the morning, using the first urine of the day. The results may vary, if you have consumed too much liquid or water before testing, especially if hormone levels are not especially high. These tests have a 99 percent accuracy level in detecting average hormone levels

The Fact Plus Pregnancy Test provides two choices for testing:

Fact Plus Stick, a single step test. Simply hold the absorbent end in the urine stream, and then cover it with a cap. It has a secure grip, which helps to keep it from slipping. Results can be seen in the window further down the strip.

Fact Plus Cassette, is a double step test. Collect the urine in a sample cup, then using a dropper, place it in the well at the designated spot on the test cassette. Then wait for the results to show within the results area.

You must thoroughly read the instructions before doing the test. If you find a horizontal line under the control line in the window, then it is confirmed, that you are not pregnant, and if you find two lines, then it is guaranteed that you are pregnant.

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It is not necessary that you cannot be pregnant, if you do not feel the above symptoms, or you may experience some of the symptoms and still not be pregnant. This pregnancy can be confirmed with the help of pregnancy tests.

Pregnancy tests are done to find out the presence of the pregnancy hormone in your body. This hormone is called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). In pregnancy, the amount of HCG in your body rises rapidly in the first few days and weeks, and thus a home pregnancy test can determine this in your urine.

If you want to know in detail more about the pregnancy tests, just click on any of the links below:

EPT PREGNANCY TEST
FACT PLUS PREGNANCY TEST
ANSWER PREGNANCY TEST
EQUATE PREGNANCY TEST
QUICKVUE PREGNANCY TEST
CVS PREGNANCY TEST
RITE AID PREGNANCY TEST
ACCU CLEAR PREGNANCY TEST
FIRST RESPONSE PREGNANCY TEST
CLEAR BLUE EASY PREGNANCY TEST
EARLY DETECT PREGNANCY TEST
NEW CHOICE (DOLLAR STORE) PREGNANCY TEST

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Pelvic Exam Test (courtesy : www.stanford.wellsphere.com)

If in any case, the urine test is positive or if you have any symptoms of pregnancy, even if the urine test is negative, then you must consult a gynecologist. The gynec, then suggests for a pelvic exam. It is usually exercised after six week from the last menstrual period, to confirm pregnancy. The main purpose of this test in early pregnancy is to evaluate the size of the uterus, tubes and ovaries.

You must be cool, and your abdominal and vaginal muscles, must be relaxed, then you would be more comfortable during this test. The doctor checks as the pregnancy stage, by evaluating uterine enlargements, initially detectable about 4 weeks after conception. Along with this, she is also able to look for two other findings indicative of pregnancy, uterine softening and a slight bluish colorization of the cervix.

This is performed by passing a speculum into the vagina. The speculum is just like a duck’s bill and with its help the cervix can be seen clearly. After this, the doctor feels inside the vagina. She inserts two fingers into the vagina alongside the cervix while the other hand presses the lower abdomen and directs the pelvic organs towards the examining fingers.

With the help of this test, it is possible to sense the womb, its size and how it is kept. If the ovaries are enlarged by cysts, then they can often also be felt. During the examination, the pregnant mom is asked whether she is feeling any pain or discomfort. Most women experience mild discomfort only.

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