When to take a pregnancy test?

Home pregnancy tests sold at any pharmacy differ not only in price, but also in the method of testing, and most importantly, the level of sensitivity.

Domestic pregnancy tests determine the result based on the level of the hormone OXG (human chorionic gonadotropin, which is only produced during pregnancy) in the urine. This hormone is produced by the chorion (fetal shell) after attachment to the uterine cavity. From this point on, the concentration of OXG in a woman's urine will start to increase, and the quality and sensitivity of the test will depend on when you get a clear answer about what you are pregnant with.

The sensitivity of pregnancy tests is marked with the numbers 10, 20, 25, 30, which corresponds to the concentration of OXG mME / ml (international unit per ml) in the urine, which they are able to retain. The lower the number - the higher the sensitivity and accuracy of the test.

Before menstruation is delayed

The most impressive and expensive tests determine the birth of a baby before the approximate date of the onset of menstruation - seven to ten days after conception. Carefully read the information on the package, the sensitivity of such a test should be 10 mME / ml. Typically, flow tests will have the required characteristics.

A blood test for OXG is another way to know if you are pregnant early. On the 12th day after the approximate date of conception (i.e., before the menstrual delay is still in the long cycle), the results of this analysis can be used to find the answer to the question of whether or not there was a pregnancy in the same cycle. The presence of OXG in the blood can be detected earlier - on the seventh day after conception, but the results are uncertain and it will be necessary to re-transfuse the blood after a week to confirm them.

When choosing a time to take a pregnancy test, keep in mind that it is best to donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach for OXG. If you arrive in the afternoon, be prepared not to eat for four to six hours before donating blood. It is also recommended to refrain from physical exertion before treatment. If you are taking any hormonal medications, consult your doctor before donating blood.

Delayed menstruation on the first or third day

Most home tests have a sensitivity of 20–25 mME / ml, which gives accurate results from the first day of menstrual delay. It is useless to take a pregnancy test when it is still too early - even if you are actually pregnant, the answer will be negative.

The fourth-seventh day of delayed menstruation

After a significant delay in menstruation, a clear answer can be obtained. Any test during this period, if it is a word, will show a clear result. It should be borne in mind that a home test can only be used to determine the presence or absence of pregnancy, and its exact duration can only be determined when submitting a blood test for OXG.

It is best to take a pregnancy test

It is best to do a home pregnancy test in the morning, when the OXG concentration is maximal in the urine.

If it is more convenient to take a pregnancy test in the evening, of course, choose the flow test that is most effective, for such a test, the exact time of its conduct is not important.