Self pregnancy test

 

Pregnancy tests

Pregnancy tests depend on detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the urine, which begins to be secreted about 6-8 days after fertilization, and the hormone hCG, known as the pregnancy hormone, reaches its peak after 7-10 weeks On the occurrence of pregnancy, and the urine pregnancy screening test can reveal the presence of pregnancy 3-4 days after fertilization, and 98% will be positive upon examination during the 7 days that are supposed to be menstrual days while obtaining a negative result after a week If the menstruation is late, this is guaranteed and sure evidence that there is no pregnancy.

▶️ Self pregnancy test

Self- or home pregnancy tests depend on taking a urine sample, placing it on the attached test stick, and waiting for the results according to the instructions attached with the test. Examination after 21 days of the last intercourse in which no contraceptives were used, and sometimes pregnancy tests are accurate, as they reveal the presence of pregnancy before the absence of the menstrual cycle, and 8 days after fertilization.

▶️ Signs that require testing

Some women show early signs of pregnancy, which calls for a pregnancy test to confirm this. The following is a statement of the most prominent of these signs:

Breast changes: Breast lump and swelling is one of the most prominent early signs of pregnancy, and some women notice the nipple appearing in a darker color with an increase in the area covered by the areola surrounding the nipple, as an early symptom of pregnancy.

Absence of a period: The absence of a period is the most common reason for taking a pregnancy test, but pregnancy is not the only reason for a delay or absence of a period, and it should be noted that pregnancy tests are more accurate when performed after the absence of a period.

Nausea and vomiting: Morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, often occurs between the second and eighth weeks of pregnancy, and feeling sick for no apparent reason, especially when it occurs with other symptoms, may be a sign that a woman should take a pregnancy test.

Cramps: Although some women may suffer from frequent menstrual cramps, cramps that occur before the menstrual cycle and are not followed by menstruation may be a sign of pregnancy.

Implantation bleeding: Implantation bleeding is defined as the light spot that accompanies the implantation of the egg into the uterine wall, which is usually lighter and lasts for a shorter period compared to menstruation.

▶️ How to use the test

You can buy a self- or home pregnancy test from any pharmacy without the need for a prescription, as home pregnancy tests are inexpensive and easy to use, and a home pregnancy test can be performed according to the following steps:

• Take the test in the morning to be more accurate, as the concentration of the pregnancy hormone in the urine is high during the morning.

• Putting the urine sample on the test stick, either by exposing the test stick to the urethra for 5-10 seconds, or if the test is attached to a cup to collect urine, the test stick is dipped in the cup for 5-10 seconds, or the dropper attached to the test can be used to place the urine sample in the designated place of the test stick.

• Waiting for results to appear, how long you can wait, and the way the results are displayed, differ from one test to another, so you must follow the test instructions carefully to get the most accurate results.

• Reading the results that appear on the result display screen, so that the results appear either in the form of a line, a color, or a symbol as a plus or minus sign or the appearance of a phrase, such as: pregnant or not pregnant.

▶️ The accuracy of the results

The accuracy of the results of home tests is up to 97% when used correctly, and some tests contain two test sticks to allow the opportunity to re-test, and to obtain a higher level of accuracy, as sometimes, when performing a pregnancy test early, a result can be obtained False negative, meaning that pregnancy is present, but the test could not detect it, and the reason for this is that the hormone concentration was not in sufficient quantity for the test to be able to detect it, then it is possible to wait for a few days, and repeat the test. As for false-positive results; That is, when the results show the presence of pregnancy and in fact, there is no pregnancy, these results are rare, and often the positive results of pregnancy are real.

▶️ Reasons for getting false results

There are many reasons for incorrect test results to appear, the most prominent of which are the following:

Early miscarriage: An early miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, or ovarian problems may cause false and misleading test results.

Test Usage Errors Test usage errors include taking the test too early, failing to follow test instructions, or using diluted urine.

Medicines: Taking some types of drugs, such as fertility drugs, and drug combinations containing the pregnancy hormone in their composition leads to the emergence of wrong results, and in general, most drugs, such as antibiotics, and birth control pills do not affect the validity of the results.

▶️ Post-Test Procedures

The nature of the procedures that must be taken after the exam depends on the results of the exam. These procedures can be stated as follows:

Positive or mixed results: If the test result is positive, or several tests have been performed and their results are different, then you must book an appointment with a specialist doctor to confirm pregnancy through a blood test, or ultrasound, to obtain pregnancy care from its inception, until Birth.

Negative result: When a negative result is obtained for once, it is preferable to wait for a few days, then repeat the test. If the negative result is repeated several times, and the woman feels that she is pregnant with other symptoms, such as:

Absence of a period, so it is worth visiting a doctor to verify the main reason behind this, whether it is the result of pregnancy, or as a result of other problems, such as:

Thyroid disorders, weight loss, or problems with the ovaries, and if the doctor finds that there is no pregnancy, he will prescribe a treatment plan that will solve the problem, correct the course of the menstrual cycle, and reorganize it.