fertility tests

Pregnancy Tests

"HCG pregnancy tests determine pregnancy through the detection of the hormone hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in a woman's urine."

To use the iBabydust.com Ovulation Calendar, click here.

How Pregnancy Tests Work

HCG pregnancy tests determine pregnancy through the detection of the hormone hCG in a woman's urine. hCG is secreted by the developing placenta shortly after a fertilized egg has implanted in the uterine lining.

Pregnancy tests come in two common formats - tests strips and midstream tests. To use a pregnancy test strip, you fill a clean, dry container with urine and hold the test strip in the container for several seconds. With midstream tests, you simply hold the test in your stream of urine (or you can dip the absorbent end into a container of urine). Both test formats are equally reliable - but always read pregnancy test kit instructions carefully.

How do I Interpret Pregnancy Test Results?

Once the reaction time of the test is complete (about five minutes), color bands will appear in the test region of the strip or midstream unit. All tests have a "control" band that indicates whether the test is working or not. The "test" band indicates a positive or negative result. Given proper testing and interpretation procedure, a faint line in the test region may be read as a positive result, though it's a good idea to verify any result with an additional test 24-48 hours later (using first morning urine). Once you believe you are pregnant, consult your doctor and look for early Pregnancy Symptoms.

Early Pregnancy Test Sensitivity

hCG is measured in thousandths of International Units, or mIU. The most sensitive pregnancy tests can detect hCG levels at as low as 20 mIU. This level of hCG is present in the urine of pregnant women at about 7 to 10 days past ovulation. If you are fertility charting, you'll now when to begin testing. Test sensitivity equates with early-detection - and the lower the number, the sooner a test can detect pregnancy.

If pregnant, the amount of hCG in your system should be around 25 mIU at 10 dpo (days past ovulation), 50 mIU at 12 dpo, 100 mIU at around two weeks dpo. Blood tests can determine pregnancy as low as between 5 to 10 mIU/hCG, though with levels of 5 mIU, a conclusive determination cannot be made without risking a "false positive" as low levels hCG can be present in the body without pregnancy.

For earliest detection of pregnancy, use first morning urine, as this urine sample contains the most concentrated amount of hCG. If using first morning urine is not feasible, avoiding urination for several hours before using a pregnancy test.

Pregnancy Symptoms

To use the iBabydust.com Ovulation Calendar, click here.