Blood test for early pregnancy: what is it called and when is it performed?

What tests are done in the early stages of pregnancy?

If there is an assumption that conception has occurred, it is necessary to take a test to determine pregnancy in the early stages. This will allow the girl to adjust her lifestyle, because the first weeks of pregnancy are very important for the full development of the future fetus. The expectant mother will find out from the gynecologist what tests are taken in the early stages of pregnancy. There are many of them, but not a single analysis can be neglected. After all, everyone diagnoses the health status of a pregnant woman in their own way.

How to determine pregnancy: testing, medical examination, measuring basal temperature

Waiting is always tiring. Therefore, most girls never tire of looking for ways to determine pregnancy even before a test confirms it. Some look for answers in literature, others select options based on the advice of friends and acquaintances. We offer a selection of the most reliable and effective ways to find out about your situation.

100% Accuracy Method: Blood Test

You can find out about a possible pregnancy by donating blood for human chorionic gonadotropin. The hCG hormone, in other words the pregnancy hormone, begins to be produced in a woman’s body immediately after the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus.

How to determine pregnancy using a blood test? Compare the result obtained with the established standards. Normally, the hCG level should not exceed 10. This applies to non-pregnant women and men. Once conception has occurred, hormone levels will double every 36–48 hours. Therefore, already a week after conception, it will be possible to notice an increased level of hCG in the blood.

A blood test for hCG can not only confirm the fact of pregnancy, but also identify various pathologies in the fetus.

The analysis uses venous blood. An important point is the fact that before the analysis you must not eat for 6 hours.

This study is the most optimal when deciding how to determine pregnancy before a delay. It is often used in artificial insemination clinics to monitor the development of pregnancy in the earliest stages.

When answering the question of when pregnancy can be determined, experts still recommend taking this test only on the 2nd–3rd day of missed menstruation. By the way, the analysis is carried out on a paid basis.

The pregnancy hormone can be determined not only in the blood of a pregnant woman, but also in the urine. It should be noted that in this case you will have to wait a longer time, since the concentration of hCG in the urine is several times lower than in the blood.

The urine method is the basis of all rapid pregnancy tests. They are quite simple to make, and the result is obtained with high accuracy. When can it be done? Depends on the sensitivity of the test. You can find out this indicator by studying the instructions for the test.

Most pregnancy test strips have a sensitivity of 20–30 mIU/ml.

To understand on what day after conception pregnancy can be determined, you will have to delve into female physiology. The fertilized egg does not immediately implant in the uterus.

On average, this takes about 3 more days, although sometimes this period lasts up to 10 days. Only after this will the growth of human chorionic gonadotropin begin.

As test manufacturers assure, to get the most accurate result, it is advisable to test on the 3rd–4th day of a missed period.

How to do the test correctly:

1. Collect urine in a specially prepared clean container.
2. Open the protective packaging of the dough and lower it into the collected material to the special mark.
3. Hold for 5 seconds.
4. Place on a flat horizontal surface.

You can increase the effectiveness of the test if you do it using morning urine. It is at this time that it contains the maximum content of hCG. First, a test line appears on the test; it will tell you that all conditions have been met. If you are pregnant, another similar stripe will be visible next to it.

It should be noted that even a faint second line can indicate pregnancy. If this appears, then it is better to wait 2 days and do the test again.

Trust in the hands of specialists

If the test shows a positive result or a woman suspects pregnancy, she should immediately contact a specialist. Firstly, it will be able to provide reliable information about the situation. Secondly, it will help to avoid health problems and identify pathologies at an early stage.

How does a gynecologist determine pregnancy during examination:

1. Examination of the external genitalia.
2. Checking the internal genital organs.
3. Breast assessment.
4. Condition of the skin.

The first thing a specialist will pay attention to is the appearance of the labia. Venous congestion is one of the symptoms of pregnancy. It is characterized by the following manifestations:

• change in lip color. They acquire a bluish tint;
• change in consistency. The labia have a denser texture;
• temperature drop. The external genitalia become cool;
• swelling.

Pregnancy can be determined during examination only after 4-5 weeks from conception. Until this time, the signs may be the same as those that characterize close periods.

After this, the doctor performs an examination using a gynecological speculum. Pregnancy can be determined by:

• along the cervix. The organ becomes softer and increases in size;
• along the vaginal mucosa. It becomes swollen, the surface is smooth, the color is red-violet.

Special attention is paid to the nature of the discharge. Since a smear can also be used to judge a possible pregnancy. In this case, mucous discharge from the vagina becomes transparent, viscous, and its quantity increases. A smear must be taken for laboratory testing.

The next step will be a manual inspection. The doctor will feel the uterus through the front wall of the abdomen. The development of pregnancy can also be judged by the breasts. It becomes more elastic, painful when touched, and increases in size.

What is basal temperature

The method of determining pregnancy by basal temperature is quite painstaking and requires attention and strict adherence to the schedule. What is basal temperature? This is the temperature that is measured in a state of exceptional rest. The measurement site can be the oral cavity or rectum.

Rectal temperature varies throughout the cycle. This is due to the action of various hormones in the female body. So, the first half of the cycle is called luteal. In it, the temperature in the rectum does not rise above 36.9 degrees.

Using this method, you can with a high probability determine ovulation at this moment the basal temperature mark will be at the level of 37.3–37.7 degrees. This is due to the action of the hormone progesterone.

Stress, climate change, physical activity and many other factors can greatly affect the accuracy of the results.

Just before your period, the temperature drops sharply to 37 degrees. If this does not happen, and menstruation does not occur at the usual time, pregnancy can be assumed.

To get the most accurate results, you should know how to measure your basal temperature:

1. Measurements should be taken only after sleep, which lasted at least 3 hours.
2. Reduce movements to a minimum. Therefore, it is better to immediately place the thermometer next to the bed.
3. The duration of measurements in the rectum is 3 minutes. You can also measure basal temperature in the oral cavity. This will take 5 minutes.
4. There is no need to change the measurement tool.

Measurements must be taken starting from the first day of the menstrual cycle, only in this case will it be possible to judge the reliability of the results.

Pregnancy during menopause: can this happen?

You can get pregnant during menopause only if the woman’s ability to fertilize has not yet completely died out. Indeed, in a full understanding of menopause, childbearing and conception are simply impossible.

During menopause, pregnancy can be suspected based on the following signs:

• nausea in the morning;
• absence of menstruation;
• fast fatiguability;
• positive pregnancy test.

Pregnancy during menopause is a serious burden on the body. The feasibility of its preservation and taking into account all possible risks should be carried out by specialists. But the final decision to save or terminate always lies with the woman herself.

Advice from the people

Some resort to the most unexpected and controversial methods of determining pregnancy. Of course, they do exist, but it is not recommended to trust them 100%. Since pregnancy can only be determined with high accuracy by medical professionals using special equipment.

First of all, you should pay attention to the early signs of pregnancy before your period is missed:

• engorgement of the mammary glands;
• nausea in the morning;
• sudden change of mood;
• rapid loss of strength;
• lower back pain;
• changes in taste preferences.

Traditional methods will also help satisfy curiosity:

1. Determination by a drop of iodine. To do this, you need to drop iodine into the urine and observe. During pregnancy, a drop of the product remains on the surface and does not spread.
2. By pulse on the stomach. The woman lies on her back and places her hand just below her navel. About 7–8 cm. If there is a pulsation in this place, it means she may be pregnant.
3. Soda and urine. To do this, pour 1 teaspoon of regular soda into a container with urine. During pregnancy, the substance calmly sinks to the bottom, without reaction.

Alarm bells: determining a frozen pregnancy

There can be many reasons for the cessation of fetal development. These include chromosomal abnormalities and infectious diseases of the mother. It is very important to identify this phenomenon at an early stage so that the deceased fetus does not begin to intoxicate the mother’s body.

There are several ways to determine a frozen pregnancy before visiting an antenatal clinic:

1. A pregnancy test shows a weak second line for a long time. If the first test shows a faint second line, the examination must be repeated after 2-3 days. As the pregnancy progresses, the hCG level will rise and the line will become pronounced. If fetal development has stopped, the test results will not change.
2. A sharp decrease in basal temperature. Progesterone levels drop, which means body temperature drops.
3. A strong increase in the number of leukocytes and protein in the urine.

In addition, you should listen more carefully to your own body. Problems with your child may be indicated by:

• change in color of vaginal discharge, blood;
• increased body temperature above 38 degrees;
• breast softening;
• lower abdominal pain.

Only a check with an ultrasound machine can give a 100% result about a frozen pregnancy.

If there is any suspicion of a frozen pregnancy or a deterioration in the condition of a pregnant woman, you should immediately contact a specialist for testing.

Thus, the desire to find out about pregnancy as early as possible has led to the discovery of many methods. But you can get information with high accuracy only from gynecological specialists.

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Source: https://ChudoMalysh.ru/beremennost/protekanie-beremennosti/kak-opredelit-beremennost.html

How to take a blood test for early pregnancy?

For this test, blood is taken from a vein. It is better to come to the laboratory in the morning, because... Such tests are taken on an empty stomach: you can only drink, and clean, still water. At least eight hours must pass from the last meal to the time of blood collection.

For the most accurate result, donate blood no earlier than four days after your missed period. The result, as a rule, is ready the next day (the procedure for testing blood serum itself takes up to two hours).

If the analysis shows that the concentration of hCG in your blood is higher than five mU/ml, then this is much more than that of a healthy woman who is not pregnant. Accordingly, you should consult a doctor for a comprehensive examination.

What test shows pregnancy in the early stages?

Besides blood tests, the most common way to detect pregnancy early is the well-known test strips. They are convenient because they do not require a trip to the doctor: the diagnosis can be made at home, on your own.

However, this analysis operates on the same principle: test strips are designed to show the presence of human chorionic hormone in the body, only not by the composition of the blood, but by the composition of the urine.

Therefore, a blood test is a faster way of diagnosis - because the hormone enters the urine more slowly, and the test strip will show the result no earlier than in a week.

Is it necessary to take early pregnancy tests?

Yes, it's necessary. And not so much because a blood test is the most reliable way to find out whether you will become a mother, but because other factors (infection, ovarian disease, intoxication) can cause a delay in menstruation. If the pregnancy theory is rejected, the doctor will give you a referral for other examinations to find out what the problem is.

In addition, when conducting diagnostics, it is important not only the presence of hCG in the body, but also the degree of its concentration - and the test strips will definitely not show this.

Meanwhile, an abnormally increased concentration of the hormone indicates problems in the body. This knowledge will be useful regardless of whether you intend to preserve the fruit.

Taking a blood test for early pregnancy is essential for both your baby's health and your own health.

An increased concentration of hCG can be a signal of:

fetal developmental anomalies,

· twins or triplets,

diabetes mellitus in the mother,

· cancer and tumors.

Agree, there are enough reasons not to neglect this analysis. Moreover: for a successful pregnancy it must be repeated periodically at different stages. Such regular blood draws will help doctors monitor the progress of the pregnancy and identify abnormalities.

If a pregnant woman’s hCG level, on the contrary, is reduced, then the reason may be:

· frozen pregnancy,

· placental insufficiency,

· ectopic fertilization,

· death of the fetus.

Multiple blood tests for pregnancy in the early stages help to avoid complications: after all, timely diagnosis and prompt treatment help prevent the occurrence of serious problems.

Early pregnancy tests during a pandemic, according to experts

According to current data, pregnant women are no more at risk of contracting coronavirus than others. Therefore, an epidemic is not a reason to postpone a visit to the laboratory (of course, subject to all the necessary precautions).

However, you don’t have to go there yourself; the best option is to call an employee to take blood at home. Also, you should not visit a medical facility to find out the test results: it is better to receive the report by email.

Consultations with a doctor should also be carried out remotely if they do not involve a direct examination.

What is hCG

The operating principle of all test strips is based on the characteristics of the “pregnancy hormone” - human chorionic gonadotropin. It is capable of being excreted in the urine; it is the reagent that is included in all test strips that reacts to it. The same hormone is present in venous blood, its presence can be determined in the early stages. It appears in the blood within 6-8 days after successful fertilization. There are two variants of this component:

• alpha-hCG - this hormone is quite difficult to distinguish in composition from LH, FSH or TSH (they are determined by deciphering biochemistry);
• beta-hCG - plays a more important role in determining pregnancy.

With the help of this hormone, you can monitor the development of the fetus throughout the entire period of gestation, and it also allows you to detect abnormalities and pathologies.

General information about the analysis

On days 6-8 of pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone that is an indicator of gestation, begins to be released into the blood of the expectant mother. By this time, the fertilized egg from one cell, called a zygote, turns into a blastocyst through crushing and is released into the uterine cavity. In the uterus, the blastocyst approaches the walls of the organ; outgrowths are formed in its upper layer, which are attached to the endometrium. In this way, the embryo is implanted into the endometriotic layer of the uterus. From this moment, chorionic tissue begins to produce human chorionic gonadotropin.

In addition to the fact that hCG can detect pregnancy, its content can be used to track the course of gestation. Too high or too low a hormone level indicates pregnancy pathology.

All pharmacy rapid tests are based on the determination of human chorionic gonadotropin in urine. However, the hormone content in urine is always lower than in the blood. In addition, different types of tests have different sensitivities, which makes this type of test not the most reliable. A blood test has a higher reliability of results. It can be used to accurately determine the amount of hCG in the blood.

Is it possible to determine pregnancy by urine?

The simplest and most accessible way for the modern generation to confirm conception is a pharmacy rapid test for the determination of hCG in urine. The tests are presented in various versions - from disposable strips to “advanced” electronic devices. The cost of the test, as a rule, does not affect the accuracy, so you can purchase the cheapest option.

It is recommended to use the rapid test no earlier than the 3rd day of delay from the expected date of the next menstruation. The hCG hormone begins to be produced in the female body approximately 8-10 days after conception. During intrauterine pregnancy, the hCG level should double every 24 hours, so by the 3rd day of the delay the test should show the most reliable result.

What does a general blood test show during pregnancy?

One of the most informative and uncomplicated studies is a general blood test (CBC), which shows pathological and natural changes in a woman’s body. Based on the state of the circulatory system, various pathologies can be suspected at the early stage of a child’s intrauterine development. A CBC is mandatory every trimester to monitor the parameters by which intrauterine development is assessed. Indicators such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, ESR are subject to evaluation, the leukocyte formula is calculated, and the number of blood cells (erythrocytes, platelets, leukocytes) is determined.

Reasons for the lack of positive indicators

Is it possible to determine pregnancy using a urine test? Definitely yes, but only a specialist can give a final conclusion. An important topic for women is the opposite situation when the analysis does not indicate pregnancy.

There may be various reasons for this fact:

• too early;
• a diluted urine concentration will not show a reliable result;
• fetal pathologies.

A woman should remember that if her menstrual cycle is delayed, she should immediately consult a specialist, because inaccurate results may indicate pathologies and diseases. In order to confirm or refute the result of the analysis, you should undergo an additional diagnostic examination and take a blood test. Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions that concern you; this can help clarify the situation. With various diseases of the genitourinary system, false indicators are also possible, so only a complete diagnostic examination can indicate the correct conclusion.

How to get tested

Venous blood is taken for analysis, so it is better to do it in the morning, on an empty stomach. If blood sampling is done in the evening, it is recommended to refrain from eating 6-8 hours before the procedure. The results may be distorted if a woman is taking any medications at the same time. You need to warn your doctor about this.

If the analysis is done before the delay occurs, the doctor will compare not only the absolute concentration of the hormone, but also the dynamics of its change. If diagnosed early, the test will have to be repeated after 3 days. It is recommended to have a repeat blood draw in the same laboratory.

The analysis is done quite simply. The results are ready in 1-2 days. They need to be taken to a gynecologist so that he can draw the right conclusions.

Preparing for analysis

Do I need special preparation before donating blood? A woman should stop drinking alcohol for 1-2 days. On the day before the test, she should reduce the number of cigarettes she smokes if she smokes and try not to smoke before the blood is drawn. The day before the test, you need to give up heavy, fatty foods and fast food.

Physical activity does not affect the test results in any way. The woman can continue playing sports. If a few days before the test the patient feels unwell, it is better to postpone donating blood until she recovers.

The last meal should be no later than 19-20 pm the previous day. In the morning before visiting the laboratory, you should not drink tea or coffee; it is better to get by with a glass of water; you should have breakfast after the analysis.

When to worry

The following indicators indicate that not everything is in order with the expectant mother’s body:

• Change in urine color. The normal color of urine is yellow (pale to golden). A darker color may indicate kidney or liver problems. However, we must remember that eating certain vegetables (beets or carrots) the day before the test can cause intense coloration of the urine. The same applies to some medications.
• Change in urine clarity. Ideally, the liquid for analysis should be completely transparent. If flakes or a cloudy suspension appears in the urine, this indicates that the woman is experiencing some kind of inflammation or that the level of phosphates has increased.
• Density change. The normal specific gravity of urine is from 1010 to 1030 g/l. If this indicator is significantly higher, it may indicate inflammation of the kidneys, lack of fluid in the female body, or diabetes mellitus. If the density is below normal, this may indicate renal failure.
• Acidity. The normal pH environment of a healthy pregnant woman is slightly acidic. A deviation from the norm may indicate either diabetes mellitus or kidney failure (high acidity), or inflammation in the urinary tract or early toxicosis (low acidity).
• Presence of protein. During pregnancy, the protein content in urine is ideally about 0.075 g/l. If this indicator is higher than normal, the woman is at risk of developing late toxicosis. If, after 32 weeks of pregnancy, the protein content in the urine increases, it is necessary to urgently hospitalize the woman for treatment in a hospital or even induce premature labor, since this sign indicates the development of a very serious disease - nephropathy. Without timely medical care, the function of the placenta is disrupted and the fetus may die.

Let's summarize. To reliably determine the presence of pregnancy, it is best to conduct a laboratory urine test rather than rely on a questionable result using a home pregnancy test. In addition, a detailed urine analysis will help you learn about the general condition of the expectant mother and promptly identify and eliminate possible pathologies.

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Conducting and decoding

For analysis, blood is taken from a vein.

The results obtained are checked against a table of normal hCG values. The hormone content increases rapidly from the first weeks of pregnancy; in the early stages, the level doubles daily. Starting from the 12th week, the concentration of the hormone gradually begins to decrease, stops at 21 weeks and remains practically unchanged until childbirth.

HCG norms

The sensitivity of pharmacy rapid tests starts from 15 mU/ml. If hCG levels are below this limit, only the control test strip will react, and the indicator strip will show a negative result.

• In the first week of embryo development, the hormone level increases several times, and a blood test will help determine not only the fact of the increase, but also the quantitative content of the hormone.
• In the third or fourth week, hCG can reach 1-30 thousand mU/ml.
• The period of two months of embryo development is characterized by extremely high levels of the hormone. Its concentration can reach 30-200 thousand mU/ml.
• Peak concentrations are recorded at 11-12 weeks, then the hCG level gradually decreases.
• In the second trimester, the hormone level is in the range of 20-60 thousand mU/ml.
• In the third trimester, the values ​​drop even lower - to 6-10 thousand units. However, 1-2 weeks before giving birth, the hormone level jumps up again.

How else can such an analysis be useful?

A woman takes a UAC every month while expecting a baby. It allows you to assess the course of pregnancy and the health of the mother not only by the level of hemoglobin, red blood cells, or the number of leukocytes. Its task is also to determine allergies in pregnant women. Basophils are responsible for its detection. During allergies (or rhinitis during pregnancy, which many mothers experience), their number increases. The growth of basophils can be triggered by allergies to dust, animal dander and vitamins.

Another indicator indicating the development of an allergic reaction is the number of eosinophils.

Blood neutrophils indicate the development of a bacterial infection in the body, the occurrence of purulent processes, for example, sore throat, otitis media, meningitis.

Lymphocytes in the blood of pregnant women indicate a decrease in the level of immunity. While carrying a baby, the expectant mother's body is subjected to a heavy load, causing a weakening of the immune system, which is reflected in a blood test.

The number of monocytes is important. These are large leukocytes, the number of which increases if the expectant mother has a cold, an acute respiratory viral infection, influenza, or mononucleosis, which can be determined by enlarged lymph nodes.

How much does it cost and where can I get tested for human chorionic gonadotropin?

Analysis for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin in venous blood is carried out both in government institutions (hospitals, clinics, maternity hospitals, etc.) and in private centers.

HCG testing is included in the compulsory health insurance policy and is performed free of charge at government institutions. Private laboratories set a price tag of 500 to 1000 rubles for a one-time collection of material with interpretation of the results. The dynamic procedure will cost 1500-3000 rubles.

Can a complete blood test detect pregnancy?

When registering at the antenatal clinic, a woman is sent to undergo a series of tests, including a general blood test. UAC shows the contents of the following elements:

• erythrocytes - red blood cells that carry oxygen;
• leukocytes - white blood cells that perform a protective function;
• platelets - colorless blood elements involved in clotting;
• monocytes are a type of leukocyte that can destroy bacteria and dead cells;
• lymphocytes - cells of the immune system;
• hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein found in red blood cells, thanks to which oxygen transfer is possible;
• erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Indeed, for a non-pregnant woman and one who is pregnant, these indicators differ. For example, the level of leukocytes increases, which is associated with a decrease in immunity in the first trimester and, as a consequence, the appearance of candidiasis, vaginosis, cystitis, and colds. The hemoglobin content drops to 110 g/l due to the rapid consumption of iron and folic acid. The number of red blood cells also changes and is (3.5-5.6) * 10 to the 12th power of cells per 1 liter.

Despite the fact that the picture of a general blood test in a pregnant woman changes, all changes are only indirect signs of pregnancy. It is impossible to determine whether a woman is in an interesting position or not based on the UAC alone.

General blood test during pregnancy: norm in the table

After taking a general blood test during early pregnancy, the woman or the attending physician is given a form on which the numbers of indicators are written. Each of them has its own norm, depending on the trimester of pregnancy.

If the general blood test indicator during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester is significantly changed, additional diagnostic tests are prescribed to find out the cause of the condition.

Poor general blood test during pregnancy

A poor clinical study is judged if any of the parameters are changed up or down by a large number of units.

• If the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells is reduced, this indicates the onset of hypoxia, oxygen starvation of organs and tissues. This is dangerous for a pregnant woman; insufficient oxygen is transferred to the placenta. With an excessively reduced rate and fetal hypoxia, a decrease in the growth and formation of internal organs is possible.
• If the platelet count is sharply reduced, this indicates the possibility of bleeding, which occurs even with minor damage. As the platelet count increases, the risk of arterial thrombosis increases. This will lead to blockage, which causes tissue necrosis (death).
• If white blood cells are excessively elevated, this is dangerous for the fetus, since the immune system considers it foreign to the mother's body. This condition leads to rejection of the embryo. If the white blood cell count is excessively low, the woman's immune function is not working properly. Possibly the addition of infectious and viral agents that penetrate the placenta and harm the fetus.
• If the ESR number drops below 10 mm/hour. This indicates an increased concentration of red blood cells in the blood. A decrease in the indicator indicates the formation of an inflammatory process in the body.

Any of the above conditions can be eliminated with the help of medical and traditional therapy. It is important to identify it in time, so pregnant women periodically undergo a general blood test.

General blood test for frozen pregnancy

If a woman has a frozen pregnancy, the immune system is activated to eliminate the fetus from the mother's body. Therefore, the number of leukocytes increases sharply. At the same time, the ESR increases, which indicates an inflammatory process occurring in the uterus and birth canal.

A pregnant woman should take a clinical blood test regularly. This is how the doctor monitors the condition of internal organs and systems. If deviations of any indicator are determined, testing is repeated. Additionally, other diagnostic tests are prescribed to determine the cause of the disorder.

Other ways to determine pregnancy

In addition to the hCG blood test, there are other methods for detecting pregnancy. The most effective:

• Express tests. They are sold everywhere through pharmacy chains and used at home. Identical to the basic blood test, the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin is also detected, only in the urine;
• Physical examination by a gynecologist. A classic technique that allows you to detect pregnancy with a high degree of reliability if a specialized specialist has the appropriate level of qualifications. Allows you to diagnose the presence of a fetus 1.5 months after fertilization;
• Ultrasound. The main instrumental way to confirm and track the current level of fetal development. The fertilized egg is detected 5 weeks after fertilization. The embryo itself is in 7 weeks.

Urine examination

In urine, the concentration of hCG required for laboratory diagnosis (from 50 mIU/ml and above) is achieved only 5-6 days from the moment of conception. Therefore, urine pregnancy tests, which women usually do at home, can show results only starting from 2-3 weeks. The principle of operation of all such tests is based precisely on the hCG reaction. However, testing a urine sample at home cannot give a 100% guarantee, since a reaction to hCG can also occur when inflammatory processes occur in the genital organs, it is possible during menopause, benign tumors of the pituitary gland, inflammation of the ovaries, even treatment with certain medications can indicate pregnancy.

In order to independently conduct a urine test using test strips, you need to collect the urine in a clean glass container. This is done in the morning, immediately after waking up and hygiene procedures. Place a test strip in a container with urine and strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the rapid test. On average, it takes about 20 seconds to get the result. If you overexpose a pregnancy test in urine, the accuracy of the method may be significantly reduced. This is due to the fact that the reagents with which the test strip is impregnated are simply washed out during prolonged interaction with urine and the strips indicating the presence or absence of pregnancy do not appear at all or become barely visible. Therefore, for self-analysis, it is better to purchase expensive pregnancy tests from leading manufacturers. They are more protected from the aggressive environment of urine and have higher accuracy.

Pregnancy test, its duration and hCG level

Most pregnancy tests work based on hCG levels. This hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin) appears in the blood and urine of a pregnant woman, and the test detects its presence by signaling with two stripes. The production of hCG begins immediately after conception. It is produced by the fetal membrane, and it protects the still tiny embryo from possible rejection. To achieve this effect, the maternal immune system is suppressed, which mistakes the child for a foreign body and tries to get rid of it.

The influence of the hCG hormone is so great that the body of a woman’s ovary produces a huge amount of progesterone, which helps the expectant mother bear a child. Progesterone also prepares the uterus for childbearing.

The level of hCG in the blood and urine can vary greatly (almost 2 times), therefore, if it is necessary to more accurately detect pregnancy in the early stages, it is better to donate blood. And home pregnancy tests use urine as a starting material, so in the very early stages they fail and show erroneous results.

Causes and danger of hCG deviation

If the results of a laboratory blood test for the level of human chorionic gonadotropin are within acceptable limits, then the pregnancy is developing well and the unborn baby is not in danger.

In some cases, the analysis shows a deviation up or down.

A low concentration of hCG in the blood may indicate a pathological course of pregnancy, including:

Useful video about hCG blood test:

An increased level of the hormone-protein also signals possible problems, which include:

1. Carrying two or more fetuses (the most pleasant cause of elevated hCG). The values ​​increase in proportion to the number of embryos.
2. Early manifestation of toxicosis or gestosis (late toxicosis).
3. Down syndrome.
4. Post-term pregnancy.
5. Increased blood glucose (sugar) levels, diabetes.
6. Inappropriate gestational age.

In men and non-pregnant women, an increased level of hCG may indicate diseases of the reproductive system, hydatidiform mole, chorionic carcinoma, and oncology of the gastrointestinal tract. After a medical or spontaneous abortion, hormone levels will remain elevated for some time.