Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test attempts to determine whether a woman is pregnant. Records of attempts at pregnancy testing have been found as far back as the ancient Greek and ancient Egyptian cultures. Modern pregnancy tests look for chemical markers associated with pregnancy. These markers are found in urine and blood, and pregnancy tests require sampling one of these substances. The first of these markers to be discovered, human chorionic gonadotropin , was discovered in 1930 to be produced by the trophoblast cells of the fertilised ovum . While hCG is a reliable marker of pregnancy, it cannot be detected until after implantation this results in false negatives if the test is performed during the very early stages of pregnancy. Obstetric ultrasonography may also be used to detect pregnancy.
Tests :-
Blood or Urine tests and a pelvic exam are necessary to confirm pregnancy.
Urine Pregnancy Test -
The most simple way to confirm pregnancy is to buy a pregnancy testing kit available in drug stores, two weeks after a missed period or earlier. It is based on the detection of pregnancy hormone in the urine. The first urine specimen of the day is preferred for testing as it has more concentration of pregnancy hormone. This test can be performed in a matter of few minutes and only one or two drops of urine is required. If the urine changes colour, the test is positive. The test result can show incorrect results. Occasionally a false - negative results can be a sign of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.
Pelvic Exam -
If the urine test is positive or if you have any symptoms of pregnancy even if the urine test is negative, you must consult a gynecologist. The doctor does the pelvic exam usually after six week from the last menstrual period, to confirm pregnancy. The physician.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. The more relaxed your abdominal and vaginal muscles, the more comfortable and thorough will be the exam. The main purpose of pelvic exam in early pregnancy is to evaluate the size of the uterus, tubes and ovaries. The doctor determines how many weeks you have been pregnant by evaluating uterine enlargements, initially detectable about 4 weeks after conception. Besides uterine enlargement he also looks for two other findings indicative of pregnancy, uterine softening and a slight bluish colourisation of the cervix.
Blood Pregnancy test :-
Blood pregnancy test are the costliest as well as the most sensitive and reliable of pregnancy tests. The basic type is called the radioimmunoassay (RIA) or beta subunit HCG. This test is often reserved for pregnancy complications such as a suspected tubal pregnancy, but it can also be used to determine if a woman is pregnant before the missed period. A blood sample is taken and the test result usually take about one hour. This test can also establish approximately how far your pregnancy has progressed in weeks.
How do I interpret the results?
 
  • Look at the regions marked 'C' and 'T' on the test card. 'C' indicates a control. This band must always appear because this is the comparison band. 'T' indicates the test sample.
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  • If only one pink/purple band appear, in the region marked 'C', it means that the test is negative for pregnancy.
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  • If two pink/purple bands appear, one in the region marked 'C' and the other in the region marked 'T', it means that the test is positive for pregnancy.
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  • In case no bands appear, then the test is invalid. Repeat the test with a new pack of pregcolor cards after 72 hours.
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  • If the line formed in region 'T' is faint, this could be due to low levels of hCG hormone. In case of a faint band, repeat the test with a new pack of pregcolor cards after 72 hours.
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    Make sure you read all of the instructions that come with your home pregnancy test carefully. Also, take note of the test reading time given in the test instructions. Certain tests could give a false reading if they’re read too early or too late. A common mistake that women make when reading home pregnancy tests is waiting too long. This could result in a line appearing that could be read as a positive result, but is actually an evaporation line created as the urine on the test dries. The best time to take a home pregnancy test is in the morning, using your first urine of the day. This urine is less diluted so the HCG levels will be more concentrated. If you have to take a test during the day, try to limit your intake of liquids for a few hours beforehand to minimize the possibility that your urine will be diluted.