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Home pregnancy test (HPT)

The home pregnancy test is designed to determine pregnancy within two weeks following conception. The advantages offered by the home pregnancy test over 90% accuracy and complete confidentiality both of which may help to allay any feelings of nervousness that you may be feeling.

How the home pregnancy test works

As a result of conception the blastocystThe embryonic stage of development following the morula during the early stages of pregnancy. Spherical in shape, it consists of a mass of two layers of cells surrounding a fluid filled cavity, the blastocoele. The outer layer of cells, the trophoblast will develop to form the placenta, while the inner layer, the embryoblast, will become the fetus. The blastocyst usually implants itself in the wall of the uterus on the eighth day following fertilization. It is also known as the blastula.
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, an early stage of the developing embryo, begins to release the hormoneA complex chemical substance created in a part or organ of the body. When released it initiates or regulates activity in an organ or group of cells in another part of the body.
Hormones secreted by endocrine glands are transported through the bloodstream to their target organ. The amount of hormone secreted is regulated either by other hormones, by neurotransmitters, or simply when an excess of the organ's activity indicates a need to reduce the amount of the hormone produced.
Other hormones are produced locally by the organs themselves and are common in the digestive tract.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions.
human chorionic gonadotropinHuman chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone released into the maternal bloodstream by the developing placenta from about six days after the last period was due (about 22 days after the last menstrual period). Its presence can be detected in the urine by a home pregancy test and a positive result indicates pregnancy. Gonadotropins are used to treat infertility, hypogonadism and nonobstructive cryptorchidism. Often abbreviated to HCG.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions.
, or hCG, into the maternal bloodstream. This hormone, later produced by the placentaThe placenta is a large disk shaped membrane responsible for providing nourishment to the fetus during pregnancy. It consists of three parts, the fetal part made up from the chorion membrane surrounding the fetus, the maternal part, formed from the decidua basalis layer of the uterine lining, and the intervillous space between the two plates. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord and consists of tissue from both the mother and the embryo.
Its function is complex. It has been described as a simple organ that combines the functions of a kidney-dialysis machine, heart and lung machine and intravenous drip. It consists of enormous numbers of blood vessel branches that permit the exchange of nutrition and oxygen, from the mother's bloodstream to the fetus and the removal of wastes to the mother to be excreted. The placenta's remarkable quality is that it does so without the blood of the mother mixing with that of the baby.
It also is responsible for the production of vital hormones including, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. After birth, the placenta is delivered, and is sometimes referred to as the afterbirth.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions.
, controls many of the complex functions that take place during pregnancy. Six days after conception small traces of human chorionic gonadotropin are present in the urine and the level will double every two or three days until it peaks about sixty days after conception.

The home pregnancy test measures the level of human chorionic gonadotropinHuman chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone released into the maternal bloodstream by the developing placenta from about six days after the last period was due (about 22 days after the last menstrual period). Its presence can be detected in the urine by a home pregancy test and a positive result indicates pregnancy. Gonadotropins are used to treat infertility, hypogonadism and nonobstructive cryptorchidism. Often abbreviated to HCG.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions.
in the urine to confirm pregnancy. There are two types of home pregnancy test, the ring tests and the color tests but both work by mixing a chemical solution with a urine sample. The ring tests prevent coagulation creating a dark ring that appears in the tube. Color tests work by creating a chemical reaction that is manifested as a color change in a window strip on the test.

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For the most accurate results you should test when you get up in the morning before you have anything to drink because there will be a higher concentration of human chorionic gonadotropinHuman chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone released into the maternal bloodstream by the developing placenta from about six days after the last period was due (about 22 days after the last menstrual period). Its presence can be detected in the urine by a home pregancy test and a positive result indicates pregnancy. Gonadotropins are used to treat infertility, hypogonadism and nonobstructive cryptorchidism. Often abbreviated to HCG.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions.
in the urine sample. Collect the urine as directed by the instructions. If you are peeing into a container make sure that it is clean and soap free since any contamination may affect the result of the test. For the best results urine should be at room temperature.

Home pregnancy tests are very accurate, but there are some factors that may want to bear in mind. If you have been taking fertility drugs containing human chorionic gonadotropin or antidepressants you may find the test is subject to false positives and false negatives. Oral contraceptives, antibiotics and painkillers should not affect the test. As you get older natural hormonal changes caused by the onset of menopause may also affect the results.

There needs to be sufficient quantities of human chorionic gonadotropin present in the urine stream for the test to return an accurate result. If you test too soon after conception you may end up with a false reading. It can be difficult to determine the correct time to test if your periods are irregular or infrequent.

Who the home pregnancy test is designed for

The test is designed for all women who wish to confirm a suspected pregnancy.

Risks associated with the home pregnancy test

There are few, if any, risks associated with this test.

When the home pregnancy test is performed

Most modern home pregnancy tests are accurate enough to determine pregnancy seven to ten days after you conceive. But it is all too easy to get excited and test too early only to be disappointed and worried later. Most doctors will recommend that you wait until you miss your period before using a home pregnancy test. A second test to confirm the pregnancy is recommended two weeks later after the hCG levels have had enough time to become more concentrated in the urine sample. Most home pregnancy test kits will provide two kits for this purpose.

Reading the test results

There are many different home pregnancy tests on the market, and the test's directions will indicate how the results should be read. You may find that you have missed your period and the results of the test are still negative. If this is the case it is possible that you conceived later than you previously thought and you should test again in a few days to confirm the pregnancy.

Sometimes you may have an initial positive test followed by a negative test a couple of weeks later. Try not to worry: some doctors say ten percent (others say as many as fifty percent) of all fertilized eggs do not implant in the uterine lining to become an established pregnancy.

You may notice a little light bleeding or spotting about ten or twelve days following conception. This is commonly called 'implantation bleeding'. It is not a period and you should date your pregnancy from the first day of your last actual period.

If the test results are positive

After you have confirmed your pregnancy you will probably want to call your doctor or gynecologist for a checkup. Prenatal care is very important both for you and the health of your developing baby. If you do not already have an obstetrician ask your doctor, as well as friends and family, for recommendations.

There are a number of different prenatal care options you may choose. You may decide to ask your doctor to recommend a reputable hospital-affiliated midwife practice. Having a baby is an exciting and important achievement. Don't be frightened of interviewing several doctors and midwives until you find a caregiver that you are comfortable with. Use our interview sheets and don't be nervous about asking lots of questions to help you make up your mind.


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