Pregnancy tests sold at pharmacies detect the human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone (hCG) in the urine.
The hCG hormone is produced by the cells which will form the placenta.
This hormone first enters the bloodstream when the embryo is implanted in the wall of the uterus after fertilization of the ovum, and then also appears in the urine.
The concentration of hCG in the blood of a pregnant woman doubles every two days.
When a test is positive, it is almost certain that there is a pregnancy because the woman’s only body produces the hormone hCG if there is an embryo.
In the case of a recent fertilization there may still be no traces of hCG in the urine, giving a possible positive result a few days later.
For a more accurate result, it should be performed with the urine first thing in the morning as this is the most concentrated.
Follow the instructions. These may vary depending on the brand.
Some types of tests involve putting a test strip into a urine cup, other types contain a kind of spatula placed directly into the urine stream to soak it.
Most tests have a control line. This line is only meant to show that the test is working correctly and that urine has been detected. The way the result is shown can vary but most of the tests have a second line, which indicates a positive result.
If the pharmacy test is negative. You should wait at least two days and, if menstruation does not occur, then perform a new pharmacy test. Fertilization may take a little longer that month.
The main symptom of a pregnancy is the absence of menstruation. While there is no menstruation, there is a likelihood of pregnancy.
You should make an appointment with your gynecologist or obstetrician to start your prenatal care. You can perform a beta-hCG blood test to confirm the pregnancy. Some doctors prefer to have a blood test to specify gestational age and schedule the first ultrasound.
