Early Pregnancy Tests

How Do Early Pregnancy Tests Work?

All early pregnancy tests work by measuring the presence of hCG in your urine. HCG, also known as human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone secreted by a developing placenta shortly after fertilization has occurred. With today’s technology, pregnancy can be detected even before a woman's first missed period. In fact, it is possible to for an early pregnancy test to detect abnormal hCG levels as early as seven to eight days after ovulation.

Early pregnancy tests can be purchased from pharmacies, drug stores, and many discount retailers. Tests are available in either dip or midstream formats. With a dip test, you fill a clean container with a urine sample and hold the test strip into the container for a few seconds. To use a midstream test, you hold the test in your stream of urine. Both types are equally reliable, so deciding which test to use is simply a matter of personal preference. However, each brand of pregnancy test has slightly different instructions. Remember to carefully review the enclosed pamphlet before taking your early pregnancy test.

How to Read an Early Pregnancy Test

All early pregnancy tests have two bands. The first band is a control that lets you know that the test is working properly. The second band is what indicates a positive or negative result. If you see two bands on your early pregnancy test, the test has detected enough hCG in your urine to indicate that you are pregnant.

Many women who purchase early pregnancy tests wonder if a faint second band should still be considered an indicator of pregnancy. Faint lines can be caused by a low test sensitivity, performing the test too early in your pregnancy, or a diluted urine specimen. However, if you believe that you have followed the test instructions, a faint line should still be read as a positive result. If you think you may have made a mistake, performing a second early pregnancy test the following day should eliminate the confusion. (Since the presence of hCG doubles every two days in a pregnant woman, waiting one extra day should improve your odds of getting an accurate result.)

After a positive test result, it is recommended that you meet with your healthcare provider. He or she can verify the results of your early pregnancy test and provide advice on proper prenatal care. Early medical treatment will ensure the health of both you and your baby.

How Accurate is an Early Pregnancy Test?

While early pregnancy tests are more than 99 percent accurate, mistakes can happen. A false negative can happen if you fail to properly follow the test instructions, use a diluted urine sample, or perform the test too early in your pregnancy. The most common cause of a false positive result is waiting too long to read the test results, since all types of early pregnancy tests may display an evaporation line outside of the five minute test reaction time. A false positive can also happen if you are taking Novarel, Profasi, Pregnyl, or other fertility medications that contain hCG.

If you suspect the results of your early pregnancy test are inaccurate, the best course of action is to call your healthcare provider. He or she can perform a blood hCG test to double-check your hormone levels. A blood test is more sensitive than a urine test, allowing your doctor to more easily determine if you are pregnant.

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