Is it possible to do a pregnancy test during the day. How to do a pregnancy test correctly - when is it better to do it for accuracy of readings When is it better to do a test

Women planning motherhood tend to find out about their pregnancy as early as possible. For this, special tests are recommended, which are sold in pharmacy chains. At what time is it better to apply them in order to get a real result? You can usually do a test after the first day of a missed period. But for the exact result, you need to repeat it in a week.

Understanding the principle of action

To understand when it is better to conduct a study of urine (in the case of home tests) or blood (laboratory tests), it is necessary to understand the principle of the instrument. The task of the analysis is to detect hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the test material. The body produces this hormone exclusively during pregnancy. Its minimum level appears at the moment when the fetal egg is attached to the wall of the uterus. And the maximum - by 7-12 weeks.

HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta of the fetus. Blocks the function of the ovaries to produce new eggs to avoid re-fertilization.

Most tests that can be purchased at pharmacies are able to fix hCG at a level of 25 mIU / ml. This concentration is observed on the 7-10th day from the moment of conception (the introduction of the fetal egg into the uterine mucosa). These numbers are the first component of the answer - when you need to do a urine / blood test.

However, it should be remembered that ovulation occurs according to an individual schedule. In addition, a fertilized egg can move to the uterus for 8 and 10 days.

Ovulation refers to the release of the egg, which has completed the maturation phase, from the ovary. Occurs normally two weeks before the onset of menstruation.

Features of the menstrual cycle

When deciding when it makes sense to take a pregnancy test, it is important to consider the physiological characteristics of a woman's menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle is a change in the female body that is periodic in nature and is aimed at creating favorable conditions for conception.

short cycle

Some women have periods less than 24 days apart. Accordingly, the timing changes when the test detects hCG in the urine.

However, the changes taking place are not pronounced, so the recommendations for when to do remain the same - 2-7 days after the delay in menstruation.

long cycle

In gynecology, cases are not uncommon when the frequency of menstruation is 32 or more days. Women with such a cycle believe that in their case it makes sense to do the test a few days earlier. However, this opinion is erroneous.

It should be remembered that with a non-standard cycle, only the first half is lengthened, which accounts for the preparation of the endometrium, that is, the surface of the uterus, for egg implantation.

While the second part, which is directly responsible for the probable onset of pregnancy, remains within the normal range - from 12 to 14 days.

cycle fluctuations

Every woman, under the influence of various factors - stress, taking certain medications, various diseases - cycle fluctuations can be observed. This has a direct impact on ovulation, that is, on the time of maturation of the egg, ready for fertilization.

For example, a woman can take a pregnancy test on the first or second day of delay (non-occurrence of menstruation) and get a negative result. Although a fertilized egg has already attached to the wall of the uterus, the level of hCG in the urine has not reached a level that can be diagnosed.

Study before delay - does it make sense?

Manufacturers of pregnancy tests in the instructions for their products do not recommend doing the study too early, that is, before the day when the next menstruation should come. It makes no sense to conduct a urine test for hCG before the third or fourth day of delay - the hormone level has not yet reached its average indicator, detected by research tools.

It should be remembered that hCG in high concentrations in early pregnancy reaches primarily in the blood. In this case, it makes sense to do laboratory research.

Time of day matters

To get a real, valid result, it is better to study urine for hormone content at a certain time of the day. Namely - in the morning, using the result of the first urination. It is morning urine that is distinguished by the maximum concentration of hCG (if any).

This requirement must be observed in the first days after the delay. After 10-15 days, the test can be performed regardless of the time of day.

In addition, there are other rules for the test:

Varieties of tests

To understand when it is optimal to do a home study of urine for hCG, knowledge about the types of tests will also help.

stripes

They are a cardboard strip impregnated with reagents that react to the hormone. It is lowered into a clean container with freshly collected urine and incubated for 20 seconds.

Tablet

An improved version of the strips - a plastic case is used to protect the reagents from external factors. Supplied complete with a pipette, which collects urine and applied to a special window.

Regardless of the type, the result is readable after five minutes.

Terms of use

Another important factor. The test should be handled in this way.

For test strips

A small amount of urine is collected in a container (clean and completely dry) made of glass. The strip is removed from the package and placed in liquid up to the level specified by the manufacturer. After 10 seconds, it is removed and laid out on a horizontal surface.

Cassette

Urine is collected with a pipette. Four drops of liquid drip into the window of the cassette. The result can be read in five minutes.

Midstream

Urine collection is not required. The test with a certain part is substituted directly under the jet so that the absorbent surface gets wet, and is closed with a cap.

If, after a second test, the result is still negative, and menstruation has not occurred, you should definitely contact a gynecologist.

The sooner you know you're pregnant, the better for you and your unborn baby.

The onset of pregnancy can be detected at home even in the early stages - in the first 2-. For this you only need . It is inexpensive and is sold in every pharmacy.

After conception, a woman's body gradually increases, which produces trophoblast cells - these are the precursors to the formation of the placenta. Due to its presence in the urine, early diagnosis of pregnancy can be made.

The test can be done already after the second day of missed periods.

But many women who are faced with this issue for the first time do not know how to choose such a remedy, how to use a pregnancy test and how to avoid mistakes?

Mechanism of action

The standard test that determines the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine has two strips - control and diagnostic.

The first one works if any moisture gets on the surface.

A diagnostic strip has special substances (antibodies) that react to the presence of hCG in the urine.

During direct contact of chorionic gonadotropin with labeled antibodies, the diagnostic strip becomes red.

Buying a pregnancy test

Buy tests only in pharmacies. This will help you avoid acquiring a low-quality fake.

When buying a pregnancy test, check the integrity of the package. The strip should be packed in thick cellophane. Sometimes it is filled with air.

If the expiration date of the product has expired or you find damage to the packaging, then there is no point in doing such a test - the result will be unreliable.

Studying a wide range of pregnancy tests, you see before you the products of various companies and different price ranges. But the reliability of the result does not depend on the manufacturer and cost. Is it true, more expensive tests respond even to the lowest dose of human chorionic gonadotropin.

That's why, if you want to know the answer to the question whether you are pregnant or not, but only a couple of days have passed since the missed period, give preference to a sensitive test. Thanks to him, the situation will surely clear up.

When to take a pregnancy test?

If you want to achieve maximum accuracy in diagnostics at home, in the evening, on the eve of the test, do not eat fatty foods and refuse sexual contact.

It is advisable to use the test strip in the morning, taking the first urine of the day for research.

Do research only before eating. After eating, the answer will be untruthful.

It is at the beginning of the day that the concentration of the hormone is the highest and the result will be the most accurate. Therefore, immediately after waking up, go to the toilet.

Collect urine in a container and dip the tip of the test strip to the indicated mark in the urine, holding it there for a couple of seconds. After that, lay the test on a horizontal surface.

The result will be ready in 5 minutes. After 10 minutes, the test is considered invalid.

Two stripes indicate that conception has occurred. But it is worth considering that a positive result can be in the absence of pregnancy. This is mainly due to hormonal imbalance in the body.

To find out exact result, it is better to go to the gynecologist after the test, who, after examining the uterus, will be able to determine whether the pregnancy has occurred.

Sometimes in the early stages, if the gynecological examination was not indicative, an ultrasound examination or tests are prescribed.

But even if on your test the second strip appears weak and barely noticeable, most likely you are pregnant. You can additionally use a couple more tests from other manufacturers.

Remember, in some cases, the production of the hormone does not begin on the 6th day after conception, as usual, but on the 14-15th.

This is the period of maximum concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin. Therefore, with a negative test result and the absence of menstruation, there is a reason to wait a few more days and repeat the study, which the next time, perhaps, will already tell you the long-awaited answer.

Varieties of tests

1. strip strip is the most common type of pregnancy test. This is a thin strip with a reagent inside. With the help of such a test, human chorionic gonadotropin is determined in the urine. Open the package immediately before use.
2. tablet test is an analogue of laboratory diagnostics of pregnancy adapted to home conditions. It gives the most accurate result. It differs from test strips in that it does not need to be immersed in a vessel with urine and such a tool is more reliable because it is protected by a plastic box. It is necessary to draw a portion of urine into a disposable pipette and inject 4 drops into a special window of the test cassette, where the reagent is applied.
3. Electronic test. According to the method of application, it is identical to the tablet and conventional test. But in this case, under the influence of chorionic gonadotropin, not a colored strip will appear, but the inscription “pregnant” or “not pregnant”.
4. - this is the most reliable method for early detection of pregnancy at home. Such a tool has a more sensitive reagent. This has affected its cost, which is higher than the price of tablets and test strips. You can find out about the onset of conception 4 days before the start of menstruation. The inkjet test is especially convenient because you do not need a container to collect urine.

Remove the cap from the cassette and grab the test in the place where the mark in the form of an arrow is. It is necessary to substitute the marked tip, which was under a protective cap, under the stream of urine for a few seconds and then close the test with a cap.

The result according to the standard will be ready in 5 minutes and will become invalid in 10 minutes.

You can conduct a study at any time of the day, because a very sensitive reagent determines the presence of chorionic gonadotropin, regardless of the level of its concentration. But follow the instructions as accurately as possible, otherwise the result may be false.

False positive pregnancy test result

False positive result- this is the case when the test shows 2 strips in the absence of pregnancy.

In low-quality tests, this can happen that the dye is cleaved from the conjugate before the entire antibody-hCG-dye complex reaches the reaction zones.

Thus, blurry spots appear. This result is often mistaken for a "false positive". But true false positives are extremely rare.

Besides, faint second line appears, if the test is "overexposed", that is, study the readings after 10 minutes or more.

A similar line is formed due to the evaporation of water from the surface of the dough. Thus, the conjugates are destroyed, which release the dye.

Precisely because not every woman clearly follows the instructions and misinterprets the test result, doctors, especially old school gynecologists, do not trust early pregnancy diagnostics done at home.

A false positive response can be triggered by taking specific medications, impaired kidney function, or due to a large amount of liquid drunk.

Sometimes this result is the presence of a trophoblastic tumor. Some gynecological diseases can provoke increase in the level of chorionic gonadotropin and in order to exclude them, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist after a positive test result.

If you have been injected with hCG to maintain the luteal phase or(Pregnyl or Profazi preparations), then traces of this hormone remain in the body for 10 days after the last medication. Therefore, a pregnancy test in such cases gives a false positive result.

False negative test

There are times when tests give false negative. This happens much more often than cases with a false positive result.

A false-negative test is a sign of too early testing or for a low-sensitivity test.

With a pregnancy that is on the verge, chorionic gonadotropin will not be produced as intensively as during a normally developing pregnancy.

Anyway pregnancy test allows women not to run to the doctor at the slightest delay, and first check at home and only then to clarify the results, consult a doctor.

It is after this that you can already clearly speak about the presence or absence of pregnancy.

There is nothing easier than buying an express pregnancy test - they are sold at any pharmacy, you can often even find them at the checkout in the store closest to your home. When it is carried out, it seems that no special skills and knowledge are also required. However, most women have stories from their own girlfriends when he gave them false hopes or, conversely, made them panic for no reason. Why is it so? When is the best time to take pregnancy tests to rule out the possibility of error? How much can you trust them? Let's figure it all out.

After how many days should a pregnancy test be done?

To answer this question, it is important to understand how it works. Some time after conception, the production of the "pregnancy hormone" - hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) 1 increases significantly in the woman's body. The test contains a special substance that reacts to the presence of hCG and colors the strip. Actually, everything is logical and simple: enough hCG in the urine - there will be two strips.

HCG levels do not start rising immediately after intercourse. Even when the sperm meets the egg and fertilization occurs, the concentration of the hormone does not change. Therefore, a pregnancy test taken the morning after sex will be negative. An increase in hCG production begins only after the fetal egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. This happens 6-10 days after sex and conception 2 . In the first days, the increase in hCG levels will be insignificant, then it all depends on the sensitivity of the test.

• The most common rapid tests are "tuned" to a sensitivity of 25 mIU / ml. This level of hCG is reached only a couple of weeks after fertilization, which means that a pregnancy test can be done 1-2 days after the delay. In the early days, you will need to wait a bit for the reaction to occur and the strip to color. Over the next few days, the hCG concentration will skyrocket, and most tests will show a positive result almost immediately after the ingestion of urine.
• You can ask the pharmacy for early pregnancy tests. They have a sensitivity of only 10 mIU / ml, due to which they are able to show the result even before the delay, 3-4 days before the predicted start of the menstrual cycle.

If a woman is "deeply pregnant", it does not matter what time of day it is done - it will instantly show a positive result. However, at the very beginning of pregnancy, it is necessary to take into account daily fluctuations in the level of hCG. The maximum concentration of the hormone is reached in the first half of the day, then falls. That is why a pregnancy test must be done in the morning. In the afternoon and evening, you can get a false result due to a drop in the content of hCG in the urine.

Another factor that can ruin the test is too "diluted" urine. It is not necessary to heavily load the kidneys with work, i.e. drink plenty of fluids before the test or take diuretics.

What are the types of pregnancy tests?

All of them work on the principle of determining the concentration of hCG in the urine - there are no other options. As we have already said, they differ in the day on which the pregnancy test is done, i.e. sensitivity. In addition, they have differences in design. Let's look at what types are available for sale.

This is the simplest option, which is a strip of paper marked with a mark, to which it must be immersed in a container of urine. The advantages of the strip test include the fact that it is the cheapest of all, the disadvantages are the need to aim at the jar and the complicated usage pattern compared to others. The strip must be immersed in urine strictly to a certain level and kept in it no less and no more than the time specified in the instructions. A minimal error can lead to a false result 3 .

Cassettes (sometimes you can find the name "tablet tests") are strip tests in a convenient package. When conducting such a study, the jar is not used, and nothing needs to be immersed anywhere. A pipette is attached to it, from which you need to drip a couple of drops of urine into a special window and wait for the result. Despite the fact that there is a regular test strip inside the cassette, this scheme of action significantly reduces the likelihood of error.

As the name implies, the test must be substituted under a stream of urine. This is its main advantage: due to the fact that it does not need any auxiliary devices, it is very easy to use. However, you always have to pay more for convenience: the higher price can be attributed to the disadvantages of the method.

An electronic test is the highest level of comfort in determining pregnancy. Like an inkjet, it must be substituted under a stream of urine, but you don’t have to peer into the strips. The test itself will write “pregnant” or “not pregnant” on the screen. Some models are even able to show how many weeks have passed since conception - just like in a real laboratory study. This method, perhaps, has almost no drawbacks, if you do not take into account the highest cost of all.

How to do a pregnancy test?

You will find exact information about this in the instructions for the express test, each of them may differ slightly. When performed correctly, they provide a very high level of reliability - almost the same as a blood test in a laboratory 3 . In most cases, an incorrect result is obtained due to banal errors, and here are the most common of them:

• The test was taken too early. Doing it immediately after conception is completely pointless. Tests with standard sensitivity work starting from the first day of delay, more accurate ones - 3-4 days before that.
• The test was carried out in the afternoon or in the evening. At the beginning of pregnancy, when the concentration of hCG during the day can become too low, it should be done in the morning.
• Lots of water in urine. Don't drink plenty of fluids the night before the test and don't take diuretics.
• The expiration date has expired. If the test is overdue, it may give a false negative result. Be sure to check the expiration date before using.

There are other factors that can cause an incorrect result, such as ectopic pregnancy, tumors and other diseases 4 . Therefore, remember: a pregnancy test is not the ultimate truth, but just an excuse to see your doctor. Only he can finally confirm that the joyful event has happened!

1. Cole L.A. (2009). "New discoveries on the biology and detection of human chorionic gonadotropin". reproduction. Biol. Endocrinol. 7:8. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2649930/
2. Wilcox AJ, Baird DD, Weinberg CR (1999). "Time of implantation of the Conceptus and loss of pregnancy". New England Journal of Medicine. 340(23): 1796–1799. Link: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199906103402304
3. Bastian LA, Nanda K, Hasselblad V, Simel DL (1998). Diagnostic efficiency of home pregnancy test kits. A meta-analysis. Arch Fam Med. 7(5): 465–9. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9755740
4. Stenman, Ulf-Håkan; Alfthan, Henrik; Hotakainen, Kristina (July 2004). "Human chorionic gonadotropin in cancer". clinical biochemistry. 37(7): 549–561. Link:

You do not yet know that you are expecting a child, do not even think about it, and your body has already begun to produce chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, hCG) - a hormone released during pregnancy. It begins to be produced not just in the first days - in the first hours of pregnancy, its amount doubles daily, increasing several thousand times by 7-11 weeks, then gradually decreases until the day of delivery. It is on the determination of hCG in the urine that all home pregnancy tests are based.

What are the tests?

The determination of hCG in the urine is less sensitive, especially in ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the test may become positive a little later. If the definition of early pregnancy is very important for you, then you need to contact a medical institution where they will make a more sensitive and accurate test by analyzing the content of hCG in the blood. For home use, test strips or test cassettes that determine the hormone content in the urine are quite suitable. In any case, they can give a very definite answer to the main question: yes or no?

Home pregnancy tests are produced by many companies; at the time of publication, the most expensive test that could be found in a pharmacy was offered by the German company Reckitt Benckiser Halsker - for an inkjet test (you do not need to put it in a urine collection container, just moisten it) Evitest Supreme have to lay out 310 rub. 40 kopecks. On the other end of the scale is a test cassette "Know now optima" from the Canadian company "Salute" - good news will cost you only 30 rub. 50 kopecks.

How to do the analysis correctly?

In pharmacies, you can find two types of tests: inkjet (as the name suggests, they can simply be placed under the urine stream) and test strips, which must be placed in a container of urine. The rules of use and the development time for all tests are different, so carefully follow the instructions on the package.

” Note that "midstream" tests (for use in the urine stream) can also be used as a normal test (ie, dip into a container of urine). But test strips cannot be used in the urine stream!

Urine must be collected in a clean glass, plastic or waxed container, no preservatives can be added. If the test or urine has been refrigerated, it should be allowed to warm to room temperature before analysis, and frozen specimens should be completely thawed, mixed thoroughly, and warmed to room temperature (do not use a stove or microwave for this!)

How long do you need to save urine before a pregnancy test?

The concentration of hCG in the urine during the day is not constant and depends on how often you urinate and how much fluid you drink. The most concentrated urine is the first one in the morning, it is best to use it. But in principle, even if you are testing early, it is enough not to urinate before the test for 4 hours. The higher the level of hCG in the body, the shorter this time. If, for any reason, the test cannot be performed immediately after the urine collection, the urine should be stored in the refrigerator (no more than 48 hours) or in the freezer (no more than 2 weeks) until the test is performed. When conducting a test for a very short period, it is important to take into account the volume of water drunk the day before.

” Let's assume that there are already 10-15 mME / ml necessary for determination in the urine, when the test would show at least a weak, but second line. But if you drink half a liter of water in the morning, then hCG in the urine will simply be "lost": now its concentration is already 5 mME / ml and, naturally, the test "does not see" it.

And although on some tests they write that you can do them at any time of the day, it is better to do it in the morning and not drink a lot of liquid.

What mistakes should be avoided when taking a pregnancy test?

• Do not touch the reaction zone of the dough with your hands.
• The test must not be exposed to moisture or dirt prior to analysis.
• The test cannot be used after the expiration date.
• Of course, foreign matter should not be allowed to enter the urine sample!
• Strictly follow the instructions that come with the test.

Where should the second stripe be? Does brightness matter?

On the test strips of the simplest design, the upper strip is the control one, and the lower one shows the presence of hCG. There are tests in which the control strip forms a minus sign "-", and the second, in the presence of hCG, forms a plus sign "+" with it. In more complex test designs, each strip has its own window, and it is impossible to make a mistake.

” The brightness of the second strip does not matter, the very fact of its presence is important.

The strip, regardless of the intensity of the color, should be located at some distance from the absorbent pad (or the edge of the window) and have clear edges. If instead of a clear line you see a pink spot, the test is invalid and it is better to repeat it in a few days.

Can the readings of a pregnancy test change after some time, say, an hour after the analysis?

A positive result will not change: both strips will remain as they were. On a negative result, a faint second line may appear after 10 minutes or more as a result of the evaporation of water and the release of the dye (the so-called evaporation line). This, of course, does not mean that hCG suddenly appeared from somewhere. Therefore, results obtained later than 5-7 minutes are invalid. A negative result will not become positive either after 10 minutes or after an hour, the second strip should appear within the time indicated on the test package (usually 3-5 minutes). However, if you are in doubt, it is better to repeat the test in a few days.

Can alcohol, drugs, etc. affect test results?

Alcohol, drugs, lactation, menopause do not affect the test results. The only exception is medicines containing hCG. After the last dose of such drugs, you must wait 10-14 days, otherwise the test result will be false positive. Two quantitative determinations of hCG can be made in the laboratory with an interval of 2-3 days: a noticeable increase in the level of hCG in the second analysis compared to the first indicates pregnancy, while a decrease in the level indicates that the hCG administered with the drug is excreted from the body.

Increased hCG levels in men and non-pregnant women

A number of diseases also cause an increase in the level of human chorionic gonadotropin:

• chorioncarcinoma, recurrence of chorioncarcinoma;
• hydatidiform drift, recurrence of hydatidiform drift;
• seminoma;
• testicular teratoma;
• neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract (including colorectal cancer);
• neoplasms of the lungs, kidneys, uterus, etc.

As mentioned above, taking medications containing hCG also affects the result of the analysis. The result will be inaccurateresearch conducted within 4-5 days after the abortion.

Decreased hCG levels in pregnant women

Pregnant women may have lower levels chorionic gonadotropin, if there are problems with carrying a pregnancy. Of course, this cannot be quantified with home tests, but laboratory analysis can show it.disturbing changes in the level of hCG:

• inconsistency with the gestational age,
• extremely slow increase or no increase in concentration,
• a progressive decrease in the level, and more than 50% of the norm.

This may be due to the following reasons:

• ectopic pregnancy;
• non-developing pregnancy;
• the threat of interruption (the level of the hormone decreases progressively, by more than 50% of the norm);
• chronic placental insufficiency;
• true prolongation of pregnancy;
• antenatal fetal death (in II-III trimesters).

Ectopic pregnancy

” Attention! A pregnancy test does not allow you to distinguish between a normal pregnancy and a pathological one (for example, ectopic)!

If a woman had frequent inflammatory processes in the area of ​​​​the appendages (tubes and ovaries), partial obstruction of the tubes is possible. In this case, the advancing fertilized egg can implant in the tube, resulting in an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. Considering that the study of hCG in the blood can be carried out within a few hours, it is possible to determine the presence of pregnancy at the earliest possible date (there is nowhere to go earlier!) And controlling the condition in the future, perform surgical treatment of a developing ectopic pregnancy before the development of critical consequences. Sometimes you can even save the fallopian tube.

Important to remember!

Each organism is individual. Conception does not always occur during sexual intercourse - it depends on the time of ovulation, the life span of the egg and the activity of the sperm. It is not always possible to determine pregnancy with a test, even if you use it in the way recommended by the manufacturer. If you have any doubts, be sure to contact your gynecologist!

Expecting a baby is an exciting and tremulous time. Many expectant mothers want a baby so much that they try to find out as early as possible if they managed to get pregnant. However, there are times when pregnancy does not occur exactly when a woman would like it. In this case, she also needs to clarify the situation and find out whether a new life has arisen in it or not.

Signs of the appearance of a small crumb in the womb of a woman in each case are individual. Even the same mother can celebrate completely different things both during pregnancy and its beginning. But there are several ways to almost unmistakably recognize the emergence of new life in the womb of a woman, even if this life has just begun. One of them is a pregnancy test. How and when is this “research” carried out, what is the reliability of its results?

How to do a pregnancy test

What is this type of diagnosis, what are the principles of "work" of tests that determine pregnancy? With the birth of a new life in the mother's womb, the production of a hormone protein, chorionic gonadotropin, begins. It is he who supports the normal development of pregnancy, stimulating the production of estrogen and progesterone. The production of the hCG hormone is carried out by the chorion tissue (shell) of the embryo and begins from the moment the latter is fixed. With the development of pregnancy, the level of hCG increases. In the early stages of waiting for crumbs, the content of the hormone doubles every 48 hours. So after how many days can a pregnancy test show a true result?

How to do a pregnancy test correctly. Terms of express diagnostics

There is hardly a woman who does not care about the question of when you can take a pregnancy test in order to get a reliable result? The onset of ovulation, during which the egg, ready to merge with the sperm, leaves the ovary, normally occurs in the middle of the woman's menstrual cycle (on the 14th day if the cycle is 28 days, on the 15th day if the cycle lasts 30 days). This date may be slightly shifted, but an indicator of a normal second phase is its duration in the range of 10-16 days. Implantation of the future crumbs occurs on the 6th - 8th day after fertilization. From this moment, the production of the “pregnancy hormone” (hCG) begins.

It is on its content in the urine that tests react, showing the presence or absence of a fetus in the mother's womb. The sensitivity of the test, indicated in the instructions for it, shows the minimum required amount of the hormone in the biomaterial (urine), which is able to recognize the "indicator" reagent. According to this criterion, you may see 10 mIU/ml, 20 mIU/ml, or 25 mIU/ml on the test. The lower the value, the more accurate the result will be and the test will recognize the conception that has occurred earlier. In most cases, the manufacturer recommends using the test no earlier than the 1st day of missed menstruation. But, if fertilization and implantation were successful, the embryo develops normally, then already at 10-12 DPO (days are counted from the moment of ovulation), the most sensitive tests (10 mIU / ml) will “stripe”. Therefore, pregnancy tests in the early stages of embryo development are the simplest and most affordable way to diagnose a “special situation”. Impatient girls and women can start express diagnostics 3 to 4 days before menstruation (data are indicated for a 28-day cycle). But it’s better to wait for the “delay” anyway - you will save yourself from unjustified hopes or hasty disappointments.

How to do a pregnancy test correctly. Rules for the use of rapid tests

So, there was a sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptives, the end of the cycle is approaching and the woman is already eager to know if conception has occurred? So it's time to go to the pharmacy and get a rapid test to detect pregnancy. When and how to take a pregnancy test? During the home analysis, it is important to follow a few simple rules:

• Do not use tests if the tightness of their packaging is in doubt or if the expiration date has passed. Such a study can hardly claim objectivity.
• Open the package immediately before testing.
• During testing, strictly follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer - lower the test to the indicated mark, observe the time frame for keeping it in the urine and subsequent evaluation of the results.
• Each test can only be used once. Then it becomes unusable.
• Use only clean containers for urine.
• The time of day for home analysis is one of the most controversial issues. If the term of the proposed pregnancy is very short (4 - 5 obstetric weeks) or testing is carried out even before the delay of menstruation, it is strongly recommended to use the morning portion of urine with the highest content of the hCG hormone. If this is not possible, do not urinate for 3-4 hours and conduct a rapid test. In cases where the diagnosis is carried out at a later date, this factor is no longer decisive and a pregnancy test is also carried out during the day.

If everything is done correctly - 90% - 95% that you will get a true result.

Reliability of pregnancy tests

A few tedious minutes have passed and 2 or 1 strip flaunts on your test. How reliable are pregnancy tests, do they show a true result? If the test was of high quality, the diagnosis was performed according to the rules, then the probability of an error is small. And yet she is.

A false negative result is possible in the following cases:

• Testing was carried out with violations.
• Analysis performed too early.
• Pregnancy is, but there are endocrine disorders.
• The level of the hormone is too low - a miscarriage may occur.

Important! If menstruation was supposed to start 1 - 2 weeks ago, and the test is still "silent", the woman should definitely visit a gynecologist. You should also determine the level of the hCG hormone in the blood - this study will give an accurate result.

A positive result in the absence of pregnancy can be in such cases:

• Violation of the ovaries.
• No more than 2 months have passed since the birth.
• There is a tumor that produces the hormone hCG (choriocarcinoma, hydatidiform mole).
• The test has expired.

If the result is doubtful in a woman, the test should be repeated after 2 days or undergo an additional examination.

Pregnancy tests: types and instructions for diagnosing

The whole variety of tests that determine the presence or absence of pregnancy is divided into several groups.

strip strips

The most popular and widespread type of express tests. Their attractiveness is due to a combination of low cost and high reliability. This test is a paper strip with a reagent applied. Evitest pregnancy tests, according to the instructions, have a sensitivity of 20 mIU / ml, however, this does not prevent the reagent from detecting the presence of the hormone in the urine even before the next menstruation (1 to 2 days before).

• Prepare a clean container.
• Collect a few milliliters of urine in it.
• Dip the test strip into the prepared biomaterial for 5-10 seconds to the indicated mark.
• Place the test on a dry horizontal surface.
• Evaluate the result after 3 - 7 minutes. (but not more than 10 minutes).

Tablet pregnancy test

If you purchased a cassette test, a urine container will come with it. Apart from this, you will also receive a special pipette for transferring drops of urine to the test.

• Collect a small amount of urine in a container.
• Take a pipette and collect a few drops of biomaterial.
• Place it in the test window and wait a few minutes (up to 10).
• You evaluate the result in another window - 1 or 2 strips.

This diagnostic method is more reliable than its predecessor, but also more expensive.

Inkjet pregnancy test

The most technically convenient test. A urine collection container is not required for diagnosis. In addition, using this type of test, you can find out about the presence of pregnancy even 5 days before the expected "delay". The negative side is the high cost.

• Take out the test and remove the cap.
• Take the test by the handle and direct its special surface for 5 seconds under the stream of urine (this part of the test is marked with an arrow).
• After a few minutes (no more than 10), evaluate the result in the test window.

Digital pregnancy test

When working with an electronic pregnancy test, follow the instructions and find out if someone has settled in your tummy. The advantage of this type of tests is not only their high sensitivity, but also the unambiguous interpretation of the meaning. A woman does not need to determine the brightness of the stripes and try to consider their number. According to, for example, the instructions for the Clearblue pregnancy test, the screen will indicate the number of weeks of pregnancy (in the case of a positive result) or a “-” icon in a circle. In tests of other brands, the inscription "pregnant" may appear.

• Open the package and take out the test.
• Dip its tip into pre-prepared urine.
• Evaluate the result.

The disadvantage of the test (in addition to the high cost) is that in a day there will be no trace of the results obtained on the screen.

Diagnosis of problems: pregnancies outside the uterus, miscarriage

Sometimes unpleasant situations lie in wait for a woman "in position" at the most unexpected moment.

Ectopic pregnancy

This pathology, unfortunately, is not a rare phenomenon. Its danger is aggravated by the fact that a woman may not be aware of the development of pregnancy outside the uterus. Seeing a second strip on a pregnancy test, a woman embraces the joy of upcoming motherhood and pleasant troubles.

Important! The production of hCG, to which pregnancy tests respond, occurs regardless of the location of the pregnancy.

That is why it is recommended to repeat the test at least 1-2 times with an interval of several days. If there is a pregnancy outside the uterus, the growth of hCG will be slower than in the case of a uterine pregnancy. To further insure herself, a woman can conduct an additional special INEXSCREEN test. It determines the content not in total hCG, but in its modified isoforms. You evaluate the result according to the given scale (below 10% - the risk of pathology is high). Thus, a woman sees whether she is at risk or if her pregnancy is not in danger.

Frozen pregnancy

In some cases, barely born life suddenly ceases to exist. How do tests behave in this case? If a woman does a “fresh” test every few days and notes a bright second strip all the time, nothing threatens her pregnancy. But suddenly the second band begins to fade. In this case, you can’t hesitate - perhaps the pregnancy can still be saved, but mandatory monitoring by a doctor is required. If the pregnancy freezes, the test line becomes paler until it disappears altogether.

It is impossible to unambiguously determine the best pregnancy test. But there are brands that have established themselves as manufacturers of reliable and reliable tests. Among them are Evitest, Clearblue, Frautest, BB test, femi test, Clear view. Regardless of the type of test you use, strict adherence to the diagnostic instructions guarantees an almost 100% result. Use high-quality tests and let them always have the desired number of bands!