If you are trying to get pregnant and intend to take a pregnancy test, you need to know the types of pregnancy testing that exist.
Pregnancy is often dear and sometimes very feared. However, whenever the doubt arises, whether the woman is pregnant or not, we resort to pregnancy tests. However, with so many types of pregnancy testing that exist, how to know which one is the best? When is the best time to purchase and test?
Certainly, doing a pregnancy test is very easy. With only 10 reais, it is possible to go to the nearest pharmacy and buy one of the pregnancy tests that are available in the market. The most common are urine, but there are other types that are more accurate and can say much more about the possible pregnancy.
Also, do you know how to correctly interpret pregnancy test results? One, two little sticks in the ribbon, what does that mean? If you don’t know, come with us, that the Women’s Area has prepared a super complete matter to explain everything about types of pregnancy test!
How do you know if you need to take a type of pregnancy test?
There are common symptoms that may indicate pregnancy. That way, if you notice a delay in your menstrual cycle, or notice an irregularity in it, it could mean that you are pregnant. In addition, nausea, headaches, change in appetite and other symptoms can also be symptoms of pregnancy.
What’s more, by now treating how pregnancy tests work, we can say that they identify the presence of the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Beta hCG) in the urine or blood. Thus, the presence of this hormone in significant amounts is indicative of the presence of a pregnancy.
Then, after having one or several unprotected relationships in which your partner has ejaculated within you, you should take the pregnancy test. In addition, it is recommended to first expect menstruation to delay. A delay of up to 21 days is normal, so after this period, if your period does not come normally, it is time to take a test.
However, if you take the test before your period has delayed, or still, do not know when the date of your next period will be, he may give a false-negative. Therefore, wait at least three weeks after your last relationship so that the results of the types of pregnancy test are more accurate.
What is the relationship between the types of pregnancy test and the beta hormone hCG?
The beta hormone hCG is one of the first to be produced after the beginning of a pregnancy. This first happens by the embryo, that is, the fertilized embryo produces the hormone, and then by the very placenta of the mother who is gestating the baby. Production begins 6 to 8 days after fertilization, that is, after the embryo is implanted in the wall of the uterus.
After fertilization, the levels of the hormone in the woman’s body rise very quickly, and can double every 2 or 3 days. Therefore, it is easy to identify the hormone in the urine or in the blood. The zygote (ovulse fertilized by the sperm) follows the uterus 6 to 12 days after fertilization. Thus, during this process, he develops troblosfato cells, which are responsible for creating the placenta in the uterus. In fact, it is troblosphate that produces the beta hormone hCG.
That said, as pregnancy evolves, the levels of this hormone increase. Therefore, it is not recommended to do the test before menstruation has been delayed or before 21 days after your last relationship. This is because the zygote may not have installed on the wall of the uterus yet, which does not guarantee the production of beta hCG. In addition, at first, levels of this hormone can also be too low to be detectable.
What types of pregnancy test exist?
Currently, there are only two types of scientifically proven and efficient pregnancy tests. They are urine tests and blood tests, to identify the presence of beta hCG hormone in the woman’s body. Urine tests are the easiest to do, and you can find them at any pharmacy.
However, blood tests to identify beta hCG are more accurate and reliable. This is because blood testing can identify the hormone in concentrations 20 times lower than in urine. This way, it is possible to check a pregnancy even before urine tests can detect.
However, since many women may be afraid of needles or other procedures, the pharmacy test that measures the hormone in the urine is ideal. Incidentally, it also provides the result almost instantly and is also very reliable, having accuracy of approximately more than 99%. However, if the result is positive, it is still necessary to do a blood test to confirm the result.
Pregnancy tests of laboratory
Laboratory pregnancy tests consist of blood and urine tests that are analyzed inside the clinics. Thus, urine collection can be done from the seventh to the tenth day of possible fertilization, that is, the unprotected relationship.
For blood, the ideal is to wait until a week before menstruation descends so that the dosage of the hormone beta hCG is detected in this type of pregnancy test. This is the most reliable type of test to get an accurate result on pregnancy. Still, to avoid false negative results, the recommendation is to wait for the failure or delay in menstruation to do the test.
Therefore, if your period is delayed one day, you get tested and negative, the chances of you being pregnant are rare. However, if you have symptoms of pregnancy and have not convinced that you are not pregnant, you can repeat the test to confirm your suspicions after 5 days.
Still, in cases when the woman calculates the days of her wrong cycle, the result may be false negative. This can happen to women who have very irregular cycles, so they are not sure when their period will come or not. This way, they may think that your period is delayed when it is not.
Qualitative beta hCG
In this type of test, the results will demonstrate whether or not the hormone is present in the blood. Thus, if the result is a reagent means that the woman is pregnant. On the contrary, if the result is not a reactive, it may indicate that pregnancy does not exist.
In these cases, the referential values are:
- Below 5mIU/ml, the test is negative, which indicates the disposal of a pregnancy;
- Between 5 and 25 mIU/ml, the test indicates inconclusive. This means that if the woman is pregnant, the time of fertilization and release of the hormone has not yet been reached. It can also indicate negative, i.e. without pregnancy. In this doubt, the right thing is to retake the test 3 to 5 days after the first exam;
- In cases where the result is greater than 25mIU/ml of hormone in the blood, it means positive, which indicates a pregnancy.
The quantitative beta hCG
This type of examination, in addition to indicating a possible pregnancy, is also able to indicate, from referential values, to indicate approximately the time of gestation, that is, how many weeks of pregnancy the woman is. In addition, it is also able to identify problems in pregnancy, such as abortion, ectopic, anembronary pregnancy among other diseases, also based on the estimation of the amount of hormone in the blood.
Here is a base table for the estimate of weeks of gestation and the amount of hormone BHCG in the woman’s blood:
Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that these values may vary from clinic to clinic, from region to region. This happens both to the values of positive or negative results, in qualitative tests, both in the values for weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnancy test of pharmacy
Pharmacy tests are the easiest to find and do. Its result is almost instantaneous and has 99% accuracy. However, they are less reliable than laboratory blood tests, as many factors can influence their outcome. Among the main ones is that the hCG hormone in the urine has much lower concentrations than blood, and therefore needs more time to be detected.
It works as follows: through urine, the pharmacy test is able to detect the beta hormone hCG. It has an anti hCG monoclonal antibody, which reacts when it comes into contact with the hormone. Therefore, the famous “fits” are the result of this chemical reaction. However, the use of the test needs to be done in a certain way, or if not inconclusive results may arise.
The waiting time and the way of using each test will vary greatly from brand and model. Some simpler, in tape form, take about 5 minutes after contact with urine. Above all, the ideal is to wait until at least 2 days of delay in menstruation so that the results are more accurate. If possible, waiting for up to a week is even better. This is because the sensitivity of the test increases between 95 and 99%.
Possible results of the pharmacy test
Positive results
The positive result, which indicates that the woman is pregnant, can occur as follows, varying from model and test mark:
- Two stripes;
- Two stripes, which can be the second blinked medium blur (low amount of beta hCG);
- A stronger line;
- The symbol of more “+” (positive indicates);
- Written the word pregnant ( with or without indication of the number of weeks);
For false positive results, you will need to pay close attention and do the whole process correctly. Thus, it can indicate a false positive:
- The woman who is taking medication for infertility treatment
- A woman who has just given birth or who has had an abortion for less than eight weeks;
- Some women with rare diseases that can produce hCG, as is known the hydatidiform spring, a tumor.
Negative results
Also, the test may result in a negative result that will also be indicated by the amount of stripes, words or other forms of symbols to express the result. They are:
- A single scratch on the ribbon;
- A scratch without changes in color and intensity;
- The symbol of minus “-” (negative indicates);
- The non-revivid transcribed words.
Finally, the results can also lead to a false negative sensation, more common in urine tests than in blood tests, which may have as cause:
- The test was done long before the recommended, that is, before menstruation is delayed, which prevents the detection of the hCG hormone in the urine;
- The measuring ribbon was not used in the correct way, staying longer or less in the urine, which makes it difficult to identify the hormone in the urine;
- The urine for the test is very diluted. This is because the person did not use the first morning pee to take the test, or ingested a lot of water before it.
In case of doubt, the ideal is always to take the test a few days later, to be fully sure. What’s more, for more accurate and conclusive results, you can always do a laboratory blood test.
Ultrasound and Home Pregnancy Tests
Ultrasonography is another method that can prove pregnancy. However, this type of procedure requires that it be done at least from the fifth week. The examination that must be performed is a transvaginal ultrasound, where it will be possible to see by an imaging device the gestational sac.
In addition, from the seventh week it is also possible to perform abdominal ultrasound, which will prove the presence or absence of the embryo in the mother’s belly. In addition, in this procedure it is also possible to hear the baby’s heartbeat. This test is recommended only for women who have already taken the other types of pregnancy test.
Moreover, there are a generation of women who claim that it is possible to perform home pregnancy tests. These methods are not scientifically proven and therefore are inefficient. Thus, the mixture of products such as bleach, vinegar, toothpastes were widely used by these women.
However, these mixtures can be dangerous, depending on the chemical reactions these products cause, especially when in contact with human urine. Therefore, do not try to take a home pregnancy test and seek for a safer option.
What to do and how to prepare for a pregnancy test?
First, before you have a type of pregnancy test, you need to have indications that you are pregnant. Therefore, common symptoms such as the delay of menstruation, in addition to nausea and pain may be reasons for a greater concern.
Furthermore, preparation for the different types of tests may vary. Thus, for blood tests in the laboratory, there is no need for many recommendations. It is not necessary to fast or wait for a certain period of the day to perform the exam. The blood can be collected at any time, as long as you have the symptoms already mentioned.
For pharmacy urine tests, there are certain specifications that should be prioritized. However, each case is a case, so remember to read the test leaflet you bought to ensure that the step by step is correct.
Overall, you can follow these tips for when taking a pharmacy pregnancy test through urine collection:
- First of all, check the validity of the pregnancy test (yes, these tests also have validity);
- Take the test in the period of the day indicated by each laboratory, that is, in the morning, afternoon or evening;
- preferably use the first urine of the day, as it is more concentrated, especially if you are testing before menstrual delay.
- Incidentally, if you cannot use the first urine of the day, avoid drinking too much fluid before the test as this may dilute the hCG levels in the urine;
- Time the waiting time.
Common Doubts About Pregnancy Test Types
Many doubts may arise from the need to take a pregnancy test, and the main ones are related to the use of medications and intake of foods and drinks that can influence the result of the tests. So know now what are the main doubts about pregnancy testing and the myths behind this practice.
Can remedies interfere with the outcome of the pregnancy test?
Yes, some medications may interfere with a pregnancy test. Among them, as we have already mentioned, are the drugs for treatment of infertility. In addition to it, medications such as tranquilizers, diuretics and anticonvulsants also interfere with the results.
In addition, treatments with specific drugs, such as Parkinson’s disease, and the component Promethazine present in many antiallergics are able to alter the results of the tests.
On the other hand, medications such as contraceptives, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and the use of clomiphene citrate do not interfere with the outcome of pregnancy tests.
Can drinking alcohol change the outcome of the pregnancy test?
Not a little one. Alcohol use is free because it does not change the outcome of pregnancy tests. As already mentioned, the existence of substances that do not change much less have the ability to modify the conditions of pregnancy.
Can pregnancy tests show the sex of the baby and if the pregnancy is twofold?
Not either. The tests do not have the possibility of showing the sex of the baby, much less inform if the pregnancy is multiple. This is because, only from the hormones released in the body, it is not possible to define these questions.
Can psychological pregnancy have a positive result on the tests?
No, only when there is the production of beta hCG hormone that is possible the positive result in pregnancy tests. Thus, psychological pregnancy is not able to produce a significant amount of this hormone alone. What can happen is the result being inconclusive due to the presence of low hormone. In this case, the test should be remade after a few days.
Are there contraindications for the pregnancy test?
No, therefore, all women can perform the types of pregnancy test. However, if you are a person sensitive to needles or blood, you can opt for another type of examination, thus avoiding your well-being.
Most Popular Pharmacy Tests
Available since 1970, only in the present years have pharmacy tested started to become popular and become more accessible. Values, brands and effectiveness may vary from product to product.
In addition, the results and ways of using and performing the tests may also be different. Therefore, there are already simpler tests, such as those of the ribbon, and others more complete, which show the written result to avoid the wrong results of attentive eyes.
Still, the confusion can be much worse because brands do not have a standard to present test results. Depending on the type of test you buy, you can get a differentiated result from another brand. In spite of this, everything will always be explicit in the test bull.
Meet now, some of the most famous brands and how to check and interpret the result of these tests.
Pregnancy test in strip
Undoubtedly, the most common and cheapest test that is sold in pharmacies around the world. It costs between 5 and 10 reais and is easy to find anywhere. It works by the reaction method that urine undergoes when coming into contact with the anti hCG that make up the test.
Therefore, to perform the test, remove the tape from the packaging only when it is done. It can be done at any time of the day by following the recommendations of the bull. Then, I urinate inside the container that usually comes along with the packaging. It is like a pot of taking syrup, so don’t get confused.
Then hold the strip on the blue tip and soak the other side in the little pot directly in contact with urine. Be careful not to pass the marking of the strip. Turn on a timer and make sure to put the right waiting time.
Finally, after 1 minute, remove the strip of contact with urine and leave on a smooth and clean surface and wait for another 5 minutes. After this time, you can make sure the test result.
The result
In case of positive result, just below the so-called control band, which is a pink or purple band that appears if the procedure was done correctly, another equally colored band will appear, which will indicate the presence of hCG in the woman’s body. Even if the new track is less demarcated, it can still be considered a positive result.
If no other more range appears, it indicates that the result is negative. If no tracks appear, not even the control one, the test will need to be remade. In addition, it is important to perform the reading within 5 to 10 minutes after the test. Therefore, other tracks after 10 minutes run has no value.
Pregnancy test Confirm plus
Like the tests in strip, this type of test also needs to contact the woman’s urine to indicate pregnancy. However, this type of test only requires you to urinate directly on the device. Therefore, the effectiveness is the same as a traditional tape test.
To do this, hold the device well below where you are urinating for about 10 seconds. After that, cover the device again. If you find this form very laborious, you can also urinate in a pot and leave the test in contact with it for 10 seconds.
After that, read the test after five minutes. Like the tape tests, the appearance of a stripe only next to the letter C of control, indicates negative result. If two stripes appear, indicate a positive result. After 10 minutes, the test must be discarded. In addition, this test usually costs between 10 and 20 reais in the most popular pharmacies.
Clearblue digital pregnancy test
The digital clearblue test is the most advanced among the tests. This is because in addition to qualitative reading, it is also able to do a quantitative reading of the hormone beta hCG in the urine, and may indicate the amount of weeks that a woman is or is not pregnant. This is an advanced test.
Just like confirming plus, the clearblue test works from a device. Open the lid and urinate directly at the tip of the device for about 5 seconds. Then cover again and wait 3 minutes for the result to appear on the information screen.
This test can be performed at any time of the day, and costs around 20 to 30 reais in most pharmacies. It is important to remember the need to keep the appliances lying down, on a flat surface, so that the result is correct.
Pregnancy Test Clearblue plus
Very common and affordable is also the Clearblue plus test. Unlike others, this test has a different result indication. Instead of the two stripes, next to each other, in this test they cross, forming a cross in the middle of the indicative panel.
In general, the way to collect urine is the same as the last three mentioned: open the cap, urinate directly at the tip of the device for about 5 seconds and cover again.
Then wait for about 3 minutes and check the result reading. If the result is positive, you will see two bands: one vertical, of control, to know if the test was done correctly, and one horizontally, and several in intensity, which indicates the presence of hCG in urine.
On the other hand, if the test does not present any tracks, it should be redone with another kit. Now, if the test presents only the vertical band, it is a sign of a negative result and means that the woman is not pregnant.
This test costs, on average, 10 to 20 reais and can be found easily in pharmacies.
Consult with a gynecologist
Above all, if you have still had any questions or concerns, be sure to seek medical help. Therefore, if you do not know if you are pregnant, either recommendations or guidelines of a professional, consult a trusted gynecologist and ask for a referral for laboratory blood and urine tests.
In addition, any irregularities in your menstrual cycle should be reported to a doctor, as this can be symptoms of serious illnesses, among other health problems.
Have you ever done any of these tests? Tell us in the comments you prefer and why!
In fact, also check out this other article about Getting pregnant? Tips to increase the chances of pregnancy.
Sources: Md health, Nile Frantz, Danone Nutricia
Bibliographical references: The Microbicide Trials Network – “Urine Pregnancy Test”, 2004.
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – “comparative analysis of the in vitro accuracy of urinary hCG detection tests”, 2011.
Ministry of Health – Department of Health Care – Department of Strategic Programmatic Actions – “Quick Test of Pregnancy in Primary Care – Technical Guide”, 2013
Featured image: Tulipa Baby
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