A pregnancy test is a modern and simple way to find out about the onset of conception. There are many different tests that differ from each other in the degree of accuracy and sensitivity. A woman should know what tests are, how they differ and how to make the test correctly.
Using the test is a convenient way to find out about pregnancy as early as possible. The reliability of the results obtained is approximately 98%. Pregnancy is determined by the interaction of the reagent on the test strip and hormones.
HCG is a hormone that is produced in the body almost immediately after conception. As the fetus grows, its amount in the urine increases.
It is enough to lower the strip into a container with urine, and the area with the substance is colored with the reagent - stripes appear on the light part.
What the bar shows
A pregnancy test will show a positive result if 2 strips appear. One of them always appears and almost immediately after the dough is dipped into the urine. It is painted in a bright blue-crimson tone.
The appearance of the second line is possible only if the hCG hormone is present in the urine, which is responsible for the onset of pregnancy. If conception has not occurred, only one strip will be visible on the test after a few minutes.
What a positive pregnancy test looks like
The result should show 2 straight lines. In intensity, colors can vary significantly. In this case, the control strip responsible for the positive result may be paler.
What a negative pregnancy test looks like
If the result shows 1 single strip, this indicates the negativity of the test... The same result is indicated by the weak color intensity of the second strip or its strong blur. The white color of the strip means that a lot of liquid got on it and it did not have time to react.
The pregnancy test has a 98% reliability of the results obtained. A weak second strip on a pregnancy test - what does it mean
Such a reaction is possible with a short pregnancy period, or a negative pregnancy test. If the test is done before the delay, too little time has passed after conception. Doctors recommend in this case to do repeated tests after a while.
What are pregnancy tests - types of tests
The tests differ in appearance and sensitivity. Some let you know about pregnancy a very short time after conception.
Test strips
Such tools allow for quick diagnostics... They are very easy to use, decipher, cost up to 100 rubles. Such tests are a strip with a reactive substance, one end of it is placed in a container of urine. After 5 minutes, you can already see the result.
The appearance of a second line on a pregnancy test is possible only if the hCG hormone, which is responsible for pregnancy, is present in the urine.
Usually, when determining pregnancy in this way on the first day of delay, the result is 97% true. But even he can be wrong if you do not follow the recommendations for use.
To carry out the test, you need to take a clean container and collect urine in it - it is best to do this in the morning, when the hCG hormone reaches its maximum concentration. For half a minute, you need to dip a strip into it.
A check bar will immediately appear indicating that the test was performed correctly. After 5 minutes, a second streak may appear, which means a positive result.
The advantages of this type of test:
- affordable price;
- a wide range of.
Disadvantages:
- low sensitivity;
- the need for a separate container for testing;
- with a strong concentration of urine, it may show erroneous results;
- with insufficient impregnation or, conversely, with strong immersion of the strip in a container with urine, it may give erroneous readings.
Inkjet pregnancy test
This type of testing belongs to the modern method of determining pregnancy and is considered more reliable. The tests are very different from previous generations of similar research methods. 
Such tests have a complicated design and increased sensitivity. Due to this, they allow showing reliable results even with a low level of hCG.
The test has a special layer. In the presence of hCG, the reagent reacts with the hormone and shows an accurate result. Already after 60 seconds, the test is ready to show valid data. The cost of such tests is much higher than that of other, less accurate, analogs.
Benefits:
- the possibility of using such a pregnancy test under any conditions;
- no need for a container for measurement;
- applicable at any time of the day.
Inkjet test cassettes have a more complex design. Through their rod, which consists of tiny channels, urine reaches the test area with a reagent. This part contains a latex layer with antibodies that actively react to hCG.
Even at very low concentrations of the hormone, the reagent will show correct results. This way can be used from the first day of delay in the menstrual cycle.
Electronic (digital) test
Such a test has a similar mechanism of operation as the others. He actively reacts to the presence of hCG. It can be carried out at any time of the day, regardless of the degree of urine concentration.
Capable of showing accurate information from the first day of the delay. The accuracy of the indicators is within 98%.
Despite the low cost, it is able to show the correct indicators within a few days after the onset of the intended conception. The closer the day of delay, the higher the percentage of reliability of the results.
According to the survey results, even if he showed a negative result before the day of the delay, then on the first day of the delay he could already show the onset of pregnancy.
It is recommended to repeat this test several times for greater confidence in the performance.... As soon as urine is absorbed into the reagent strip, the clock appears on the screen. This indicates the health of the device. After 3-4 minutes, the screen displays the results with a plus or minus sign.
Tablet tests
Similar meters also are quite sensitive and are able to fix the onset of conception already in the early stages. To obtain the result, a drop of urine is applied to a special window with a reagent strip.
This type of dough is more modern and more expensive than conventional strips. It is often used for testing in medical clinics. 
The kit includes a special pipette. After the urine reacts with the reagent, the result is displayed in the window. At the onset of conception, the reagent becomes colored. This type of definition of conception is the most reliable among analogues.
Benefits:
- no need for a special container;
- the presence of a pipette for analysis.
Disadvantages:
- difficulty collecting the required amount of urine;
- high cost in comparison with analogues.
Reservoir test
This test is equipped with a urine reservoir. There is a window on the front of the device, and the reagent area is built into the reservoir. Moreover, the accuracy of the result is independent of the volume of urine. The reagent is able to absorb only the required amount to determine the likelihood of conception.
How many days after the delay of menstruation, the conception test can be done
Pregnancy test can be applied from the first day of delay... But many women have an irregular menstrual cycle and cannot correctly calculate the onset of this period. After the onset of conception, the woman's body begins to prepare for the upcoming gestation process.
Immediately, the restructuring of the entire hormonal system begins, the level of hCG increases many times. It is to him that all systems for determining pregnancy respond.
To confirm the result, at least 4 tests must be done, preferably with an interval of several hours at different urine concentrations.
Pregnancy can occur after the egg is released from the ovary - this period is called ovulation and takes place around the middle of the menstrual cycle. Thus, when calculating the probability of fertilization, 2 weeks after the last cycle and the release of the egg, conception is possible.
Implantation takes place for several more days. The hCG hormone begins to be produced after the fetus is attached to the wall of the uterus. And its level increases every day.
Within a week, hCG reaches the level that can be determined by tests. This allows testing after the start of the anticipated delay.
A delay does not always indicate pregnancy, it can be caused by stress, hormonal disruption and the presence of chronic diseases.
Will the test show pregnancy before delay
Tests with good sensitivity are able to show the result even before the expected date of the next cycle. This is about 3 weeks after the previous last day of your period.
By that time, fertilization is already taking place and the level of the hormone produced is already capable of being displayed on hypersensitive tests.
When a pregnancy test shows an accurate result - from what date
Approximately 13 days after the end of menstruation, the egg may be released and fertilized. Another 3-4 days are given for the attachment of the embryo and the start of hormone production.
So already 3 weeks after the last menstruation, early pregnancy can be detected, about a week after conception.
Sensitivity of pregnancy tests
All tests to determine pregnancy indicate the minimum value of the hormone level to which it is able to respond. It usually varies from 10 to 30. The lower the value, the more sensitive it has, which allows you to do tests as early as a week after the expected date of conception.
Which pregnancy test to choose
When choosing a test, many women rely on the factor of affordability and ease of use. A special container is required for the test strips, but this is not necessary for the tablet version.
Pregnancy test Evitest (Evitest)
Features:
- It is considered one of the most accurate methods.
- Allows you to apply it from the beginning of the delay.
- After a few minutes, you can already get the result.
- Application at any time of the day.
According to reviews, shows accurate results ranging from 94 to 99%... Sterility is recommended. Prices start at 80 rubles.
Frautest pregnancy test (Frautest)
Features:
- Affordable price.
- Possibility of obtaining the result from the beginning of the delay.
- A quick way to identify.
According to reviews, it is considered a quality product and allows you to get the result after a few minutes after the procedure... Prices start at 75 rubles.
Pregnancy test "I was born"
Benefits:
- Low cost.
- A quick way to identify.
Considered a test with medium sensitivity and not always able to detect early pregnancy... Test prices start at 95 rubles.
Clearblue (Clear Blue) - reusable test
Benefits:
- Oversensitive.
- Determination of pregnancy before delay.
- Several types.
- Highly accurate.
The determination accuracy reaches 99%. Convenience in different forms of release. Prices start at 95 rubles.
Early pregnancy tests
To determine pregnancy in the early stages, tablet, inkjet and reusable tests are used.
What is the most accurate highly sensitive test
According to research, the most accurate tests were:
- Clearblue;
- Frautest;
- Evitest.
How much does a pregnancy test cost in pharmacies
Depending on the degree of sensitivity the cost of tests in pharmacies starts from 25 rubles (disposable test strip).
How to do a pregnancy test correctly - features and rules
It is recommended that sterile conditions be observed when carrying out the assay method. It is not recommended to keep the strip in urine for less or longer than the prescribed period.
Tests show any pregnancy, including an ectopic pregnancy.
Is it possible to do a pregnancy test in the evening
The test can be carried out in the evening if it has highly sensitive reagents. Other tests require a high concentration of urine (morning) for the results to be valid.
Can a pregnancy test show a negative result?
The test does not show pregnancy, but there is a delay
It is recommended that the test be repeated after a few days. It should be borne in mind that the delay can be caused by anxiety conditions, concomitant diseases. 
Ectopic pregnancy: the test will show or not
Tests show any pregnancy, including an ectopic pregnancy. This is due to the fact that they only react directly to hormone levels.
Can an ovulation test show pregnancy?
No, because such tests are focused on determining the presence of another type of hormone, and not hCG.
Home pregnancy test - how to check pregnancy without a purchased test
There are several ways to determine pregnancy at home.
Pregnancy test with iodine and paper
A small sheet of paper is dipped into the morning urine. Next, a few drops of iodine are applied to the wetted edge. A violet-blue hue indicates a positive result, a brownish one - a negative one.
Soda pregnancy test
To do this, you need to collect about 200 ml of urine in a container (preferably perform the procedure in the morning) and put a teaspoon of soda there. A hiss indicates a negative result.
How to take a pregnancy test:
Soda pregnancy test at home:
Every woman who dreams of having a child or simply doubts whether she is pregnant or not, is in a hurry to find out about the conception that has come. Therefore, many of the fair sex purchase pregnancy tests and carry them out much earlier than the due date. As a result, they get an unreliable result and, after a certain time, they are surprised to learn that the pregnancy has nevertheless come. At the same time, women believe that the test turned out to be faulty, although in reality it was only necessary to calculate the optimal date when to do the pregnancy test after conception.
Naturally, an attempt to find out with the help of a pregnancy test the next day after intercourse whether conception has occurred is pointless. The reason lies in the peculiarities of all express tests.
The simplest pregnancy tests are represented by strips with two indicators. After the test is dipped into the urine to the desired mark, one strip becomes visible - it is the control one. If after a few minutes a second strip appears, then this indicates conception. It is the second band that contains a special substance that reacts with hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone begins to be produced in increased volumes after the embryo is implanted into the wall of the uterus. HCG circulates to a greater extent in the blood, and after a while it begins to accumulate and be excreted in the urine.
It should be understood that this hormone is always present in the female body, but if pregnancy is absent, then its level is very low. The hormone reaches its peak value 2-3 months after conception. However, the test is able to recognize it in the urine much earlier - on average 15 days after pregnancy.
How many days do different types of tests show pregnancy?
Various types of devices are presented on the modern market, including test strips, tablet tests, electronic inkjet tests.
The optimal days when you can conduct a pregnancy test depend on a number of factors:
Test sensitivity.
Condition of a pregnant woman. For example, with a threat of miscarriage or with an ectopic pregnancy, tests may be uninformative for a long time.
Accuracy of following instructions.
Test sensitivity and timing of pregnancy detection
Tests that have a sensitivity of 10 mIU / ml are capable of detecting pregnancy as early as 7-10 days after embryo implantation. It makes no sense to conduct research earlier, since there are no tests with greater sensitivity on sale at the moment. Moreover, until this time, the hCG hormone in the desired concentration in the urine simply cannot accumulate. Therefore, it is best to perform a pregnancy test 10 days after a possible conception. This will save money on the purchase of the device and once again not be nervous about the result obtained. Typically, the tests with hypersensitivity will be presented either by electronic or tablet devices.
Tests, which have a sensitivity of 15 mIU / ml, allow you to determine pregnancy 10 or more days after conception. These tests most often include inkjet devices that are not equipped with an electronic display. Although tablet tests with similar sensitivity to hCG can be found on the market.
Tests with a sensitivity of 20-25 mIU / ml are capable of detecting pregnancy no earlier than 15 days after fertilization of the egg. Such devices are represented by strip strips. These tests are the most affordable, but also the least accurate. Moreover, it will be the lower, the earlier the woman conducts the study.
When to take a pregnancy test after conception to get an accurate result?
A pregnancy test after conception should be done at a time when you can get the most accurate result. Most manufacturers indicate that their testing systems are highly reliable, which is 97-99.8%. Thus, the risk of an error is minimal. However, you need to carry out the procedure on certain days. The optimal date is the date on which menstruation should begin.
If you do the test earlier, then the risk of getting an erroneous result increases significantly:
The reliability of the test is equivalent to 55% when the study is carried out 4 days before the onset of menstruation.
The reliability of the test is equivalent to 86% when the study is carried out 3 days before the onset of menstruation.
The reliability of the test is equal to 97% when the study is carried out 2 days before the onset of menstruation.
The reliability of the test is equal to 98% when the study is carried out 1 day before the onset of menstruation. Thus, the risk of an error at this time is already minimal and does not exceed 2%.
It is imperative to take into account the instructions of the test manufacturers that the study should be carried out on the first day of the delay in menstruation, as this guarantees the receipt of the most reliable result. This statement is true, but you need to know some subtleties. The thesis is based on the fact that a woman's pregnancy occurs exactly in the middle of the cycle, when ovulation occurs, and menstruation should begin 14 days after conception. Tests are able to show pregnancy only in the third week of gestation, that is, 15-16 days after fertilization. If everything happened according to this scenario, then the result of the study carried out on the first day of the missed period will be as reliable as possible.
Now about the most important thing - conception does not always occur in the middle of the cycle. Therefore, conducting a study even within the time recommended by the manufacturer can be uninformative. Practicing gynecologists are well aware of this, so they give an unequivocal recommendation - to do a pregnancy test after 1-2 weeks of delay in menstruation. If a woman knows that sexual intercourse, which could lead to conception, occurred precisely closer to the day of ovulation, that is, to the middle of the menstrual cycle, then the test can be performed on the 7th day of the delay in menstruation. When sexual intercourse was closer to the onset of menstruation, and it did not occur, then the most accurate test result can be obtained two weeks later from a delay in menstruation. Only in this case can we say that the test was 99.8% reliable.
For many women, this waiting period may seem too long and tedious. In this case, they need to purchase a test that is highly sensitive to hCG, and conduct a study 15 days later from unprotected sex. At the same time, it is important to know on which day the intimacy occurred, which was capable of leading to conception. Applying such calculations, you can not take into account the duration of the delay of the next menstruation.
Tests are now commercially available that are highly sensitive to human chorionic gonadotropin. The number of 10 mIU / ml is indicated on packages with such products. These devices allow you to diagnose pregnancy, starting from 7-10 days after intimacy. If just such a test was purchased, then it is necessary to count 7-10 days from the date of unprotected intercourse and conduct a study within this period. When performing the test on the 7th day of the possible conception, you can get a result, the accuracy of which will be 88%. If the test is performed 10 days after the date of fertilization, the risk of error is reduced to 1%.
So, it would be more correct to conduct a study not on the first day of delayed menstruation, but to calculate from the date when unprotected intercourse occurred. In this case, the day of the beginning of the next monthly period does not matter. However, it is important to pay attention to the sensitivity of the instrument. Using conventional tests, you can diagnose 15 days after the date of the expected conception. Tests that are highly sensitive to hCG allow the procedure to be carried out as early as 7-10 days after possible fertilization.
Sometimes even adherence to all the deadlines and strict adherence to the instructions leads to the fact that the tests give false positive and false negative results.
This is due to a number of factors, including:
The concentration of the hormone in the urine did not reach the desired level due to the individual characteristics of the organism.
The woman has severe renal impairment, which prevents the normal excretion of hCG in the urine.
The urine is highly diluted. This is observed when taking diuretics, or in the case when a woman drank a lot of liquid on the eve of the study. Therefore, doctors recommend testing in the morning, immediately after waking up. This is especially true for determining early pregnancy.
The woman had an abortion or miscarriage, and no more than 30 days have passed since that time.
A woman takes medicines that contain hCG.
A neoplasm develops in the body, producing chorionic gonadotropin or stimulating its increased production. It can be a cystic drift, pituitary tumor, uterine chorionepithelioma, etc.
Getting a false negative result:
Getting a false positive result:
In other cases, it makes no sense not to trust the test results. Therefore, if pregnancy is detected using a test, it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist. In the event that the test gives a negative result, and menstruation does not occur even after 10-14 days from the due date, a visit to the gynecologist should be mandatory.
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology was obtained from the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N.N. N.I. Pirogova.
Today you can buy express pregnancy tests in every pharmacy, and even at the supermarket checkout. They are easy to use and reliable: doctors estimate their accuracy at 99% Pregnancy Tests... But often such tests lie.
How pregnancy tests work
Absolutely all pregnancy tests check if there is a special hormone in the urine or blood (if we are talking about a laboratory test) Pregnancy Tests - human chorionic gonadotropin, abbreviated as hCG. It begins to be produced as soon as the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.
If there is no pregnancy, hCG has nowhere to come from. If it is, hCG will be required.
Usually, the egg attaches to the uterus six days after fertilization. It is pointless to do the test during this period: it will show nothing. But then the level of hCG increases rapidly, doubling every 2-3 days.
When to take a pregnancy test
Within 8 days, during which the egg met with his sperm, hCG levels becomes sufficient to pregnancy could be detected by laboratory analysis of blood.
A few days later - that is, on the 10-12th day after fertilization - the usual pharmacy tests will also see pregnancy.
Although the instructions for many of them promise an accurate result already on the first day of the delay, doctors advise not to rush Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?... The reason is simple.
If you ovulate on the 10-14th day of the cycle, then by the beginning of the next cycle, at least 13 days will pass from the moment of fertilization. This means that the test will beep you with two strips.
However, ovulation may shift. If the release of the egg took place on the 22nd day of the cycle, then by the beginning the actual gestational age may be less than 7 days. This means that even ideal tests will most likely not fix anything.
If your cycle is longer or less than 28 days, it's even more confusing.
Therefore, in order to get the most accurate result, you should wait 5-7 days from the start of the delay.
If you are pregnant, the level of hCG by this time will in any case be such that even the cheapest tests with low sensitivity will unequivocally recognize it.
But even if you meet all the deadlines, the test can still mislead you. For example, he will not see a high level of hCG and show a negative result with an existing pregnancy, or, on the contrary, will give out two strips, although it does not smell like pregnancy. In fairness, let's say that this is not so much the fault of the test as you are. Five reasons for false-positive pregnancy tests.
Why rapid pregnancy tests lie
1. You used an expired or broken test
Rapid tests contain special highly sensitive substances that react to the level of hCG. It is they who, upon contact with the urine of a pregnant woman, are painted in a bright second strip or plus sign.
However, if the test is expired or stored improperly, the sensitivity of these substances may decrease. As a result, they will give a negative result, which may turn out to be false.
What to do
Buy tests only at pharmacies, where, unlike supermarkets, they try to ensure the correct storage conditions. When buying, be sure to check the expiration date.
2. You bought a test with low sensitivity
The sensitivity of rapid tests is indicated by numbers - 10, 20, 25, 30. These numbers indicate the concentration of hCG in urine (in mIU / ml), which they are able to capture. The higher the number, the less accurate the test. The most expensive and accurate options have a sensitivity of 10. But the cheapest ones may not catch hCG and deceive you by showing a negative result.
What to do
When buying a test, be sure to check with the pharmacist how sensitive it is. Also, this information can often be found on the packaging and always in the instructions.
3. You did the test this afternoon
It is not for nothing that in the instructions for the absolute majority of tests, the manufacturer says about morning urine. It is more concentrated, there is more chorionic gonadotropin in it, which means that the test will be more reliable.
In the afternoon, the hCG content in the urine is lower.
What to do
Use the test exclusively in the morning, as instructed by the manufacturer.
4. You drank a lot of water before taking the test.
Water dilutes the urine, which lowers hCG levels. The rapid test may not sense the hormone and give a false negative result.
What to do
Try not to eat or drink anything before the test.
5. You missed the results
The instructions for each test specify the rules for its use. For example, like this: "The result can be assessed 4-5 minutes after the test, but no later than 15 minutes." These minutes are not taken from the ceiling.
The lower limit denotes the time it takes for the test for the sensitive substances contained in it to react to the hCG level. If you look at the test before the agreed time, the second strip (or the plus sign in the corresponding window) may not yet appear and you will see a false negative result.
If you look at the strip after the time indicated as the upper limit, you risk getting a false positive result. Evaporated urine can leave a line that can be easily confused with a second strip.
What to do
Before using the test, read the instructions and strictly follow them.
6. You are taking certain medications
Some diuretics and antihistamines affect the composition of the urine by diluting it. This lowers the level of hCG, which means there is a risk of getting a false negative result.
Other drugs, on the other hand, can give you two strips, although in fact they don't. These medications include:
- some tranquilizers and sleeping pills;
- anticonvulsants;
- fertility drugs.
What to do
If you are taking any of the medicines on this list, you should not rely on the rapid test paper. To determine if you are pregnant or not pregnant, have a lab blood test done.
7. You are sick
If your urine has high blood or protein levels, this can also affect your rapid test result. But here it is important to note that such a situation in itself is extremely unhealthy. Blood in the urine indicates the functioning of the bladder or kidneys, high protein indicates internal inflammation.
Therefore, it is likely that fever and / or discomfort in the genital area and kidneys will be attached to the erroneous two stripes on the test.
What to do
Do not rely on a rapid test if you have a fever and lower back and lower abdominal pain. With such ailments, it is necessary to consult a therapist, gynecologist or urologist as soon as possible so as not to miss a serious illness.
8. You develop an ovarian tumor
Certain types of tumors can trick the test into showing two stripes.
What to do
Having received a positive result, do not delay the visit to the gynecologist. The physician will conduct research, during which he will establish the actual gestational age (if any), or he will send you for additional tests and to specialized specialists.
How to do a pregnancy test correctly
- Read the instructions. And follow it, of course!
- Remember the rule: if you are healthy and the test is positive, the chance of pregnancy is 99%. A negative result can be false for up to a week after the delay.
- Choose tests with a high sensitivity level. 10 is ideal.
- Do the test in the morning, not in the afternoon and even more so not in the evening.
- Try not to drink at least an hour before the test.
- Do not rely on the test if you are taking the medications listed above or if you are concerned about fever and lower abdominal pain.
- Buy two tests at once to be able to double-check the result.
- If the rapid tests contradict each other, you shouldn't guess what is the matter. Do a laboratory blood test to get a reliable result.
Important! A positive test, even if you've been waiting for it for a long time, is, alas, not a reason to rejoice. An increased level of hCG in the urine can be recorded, including with an ectopic or frozen pregnancy. Therefore, having received two strips, go to the gynecologist as soon as possible.
In a well-known anecdotal situation, a woman demands to give her a seat in a crowded transport, referring to the fact that she has been “half an hour pregnant”.
Nowadays, this situation no longer seems so funny. Of course, the next day after unprotected intercourse, trying to get an answer about whether conception happened is unreasonable.
However, it should be noted that modern diagnostic methods really make it possible to reliably state the fact of pregnancy at a fairly early stage.
Modern expectant mothers are extremely busy people, therefore, before running to the clinic about an alleged pregnancy, they, more often than not, prefer to support their assumptions with something bought at a pharmacy.
This is quite reasonable, since the reliability of the test results, in most cases, leaves nothing to be desired.
How long can pregnancy be determined with a test?
The variety of pharmacy tests of various types and prices, for the most part, is due only to the convenience of their use.
The essence of the action of all types of tests is the same - determination in the urine of an increased level, specific for this condition, of the hormone β-hCG.
Standard tests with a sensitivity of 25 - 30 mMU / ml can give a positive result in case of pregnancy 10 - 14 days after the fact of conception.
However, there are also supersensitive tests (Evitest, BB-test, Mom Test, Test for Best, Premium diagnostics), which can determine the presence of the "pregnancy hormone" in the urine already from the 7th day after fertilization of the egg.
Of course, given the likelihood, albeit small, of getting false results in the case of express testing, after any answer, the test should be repeated after a few days, and the final confirmation of the fact of pregnancy should take place in a specialized clinic.
However, often expectant mothers, having seen the cherished two test strips, are in a hurry to get visual confirmation of their pregnancy on the monitor of the ultrasound machine.
How long is the pregnancy determined by ultrasound?
Intravaginal ultrasound probe, provided that the diagnosis is an experienced specialist in modern ultrasound equipment that allows for the first time to establish the fact of pregnancy by the end of the second week after conception.
This means that on the screen of the ultrasound machine it is possible to see in the uterus a fertilized egg with a diameter of less than 0.5 cm about a week after a delay in regular menstruation or at the 5th week of obstetric time.
And, if you go to the ultrasound scan a little later - at the 7th obstetric week, you can see how the heart of the future baby is beating.
An abdominal ultrasound will show pregnancy only at the 5th week of the embryo's age, or at least 14 to 20 days after the first day of delay in menstruation. However, if there is a risk of miscarriage, then it is the abdominal ultrasound that is resorted to, and vaginal manipulations are out of the question, in the case of bloody discharge.
However, if the term is too short, the doctor will not be able to diagnose pregnancy.
Determination of the term for a gynecological examination
The doctor, determining the onset of pregnancy in a patient, focuses primarily on the totality of symptoms from the pelvic organs, namely: on the size, shape and condition of the uterine tissues, changes in the color and structure of the genitals: vagina, cervix, etc.
The doctor can notice characteristic changes in the genitals already in about 1.5 - 2 weeks after conception. Obviously "pregnant" uterus is perfectly visualized when viewed at 2 - 3 weeks from the date of implantation of the ovum in it.
And at this moment, the expectant mother for the first time can hear that the period of pregnancy, which the doctor announces to her, is a week or two longer than she expected. Such a difference, at times, is very puzzling for future parents. However, this may not be an error.
Timing of pregnancy: obstetric and embryonic
The period of pregnancy, which is indicated in the maternal passport, filled in when the expectant mother is registered with the antenatal clinic, differs from the period that has actually passed from the day of conception, as a rule, by 14-15 days.
However, there may be other options, for example, for 7 to 21 days, depending on the duration of the menstrual cycle. And this is completely normal, since we are talking about different terms: obstetric and embryonic.
Embryonic term
The embryonic gestation period, which is also called "real", "true", is counted directly from the actual date of conception, which coincides with the date of ovulation. Therefore, if a woman maintains a calendar of the ovulatory cycle, then it is not difficult to determine the day of conception.
Pharmacy pregnancy tests, which show the period in days, reacting precisely to changes in the woman's body after conception, also "mean" the embryonic period.
And, as a rule, for compliance with specific embryonic age, embryo-fetal parameters evaluated, namely, his tailbone-parietal size, to held in the early stages.
Obstetric term
The concept of "obstetric" gestational age is used when they obviously mean not the exact age of the fetus, but the period (in weeks) that has passed since the last menstrual period, after which conception occurred.
Whereas the day of the "date" of the egg with the sperm can be unambiguously known only in the case of IVF.
Nevertheless, having written down the obstetric age of pregnancy in the maternal passport, the doctor asks the expectant mother about the expected day of conception and sends her for a blood test to determine hCG.
From what period of pregnancy does a blood test for hCG show?
An elevated level of hCG in a woman's blood, characteristic of a pregnancy state, is determined as early as 7 days after conception.
Then, comparing the estimated day of conception with the values \u200b\u200bof β-hCG according to the results of a blood test, it will be possible to exclude the development of an ectopic pregnancy, in which, although it is increased, it lags behind the hormonal values \u200b\u200bduring uterine pregnancy.
In case of suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy or a woman, they are sent for an ultrasound scan.
Meanwhile, it should be understood that early diagnostic methods are necessary not only and not so much in order to please the future. It is extremely important to visit a doctor early during pregnancy for the timely prevention of complications both in the gestational and postpartum periods.
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Doctors say that in the first days after the fertilization of the egg, there are no absolutely reliable methods that establish this fact. Therefore, many women are interested in from what day the pregnancy test shows and which type of early testing can be considered the most accurate. Several test systems have been developed, but they differ in sensitivity, therefore, differ in the degree of reliability.
What methods to use to determine pregnancy?
In the recent past, our mothers and grandmothers did not have the opportunity to go to the nearest pharmacy and buy a "striped identifier" that knows all intrauterine secrets. But today you can buy a pregnancy test on the 6th day for ridiculous money in order to find out your future, at least for 9 months.Of course, as then, the gynecologist must say the last word - after ultrasound and laboratory tests. But every woman looks forward to the baby, I want to know about it before the doctor, then to share experiences with friends and write on forums, on which day showed «pregnon» pregnancy test.
The results are eagerly awaited by girls who have had a stormy night without contraceptives - what if this time "blows away ?!" Only the inscription on the electronic test "non pregnon" (not pregnant) will calm you down. I would like to congratulate both those and others if the expectations were met, when the test shows pregnancy or its absence.
Pregnancy test systems are easy to obtain at any pharmacy. But a couple of decades ago, the simplest urine immersion device, like litmus paper from a school chemistry classroom, was considered an ingenious invention designed to make life easier for millions of pregnant women. It remains only to clarify after how many days a pregnancy test of a certain modification can be checked. You can simply ask at the pharmacy, the package must indicate the minimum concentration of hCG for recognition by the test.
Once they used only folk methods, believed in prophetic dreams and went to the "favorite doctor" for uterine palpation. Today everything has become easier, and modern girls are more interested in what day can pregnancy be determined with a test? Of course, missing your period and nausea in the morning is a surefire way to make sure conception has occurred.
The paradox is that you want to know about your situation as early as possible, and a pregnancy test only 10 days after ovulation gives the correct result. Delay testing is most accurate. Previously, you can also be tested, but it is not a fact that the test will not lie - the concentration of the "pregnancy hormone" is too small.
What day does the pregnancy test react to the hormone
According to statistics, the accuracy of test systems does not reach 100%, although each manufacturer indicates up to 97-99% in the instructions. In fact, they often give erroneous results, which depend on a number of factors. How long will it take for different pregnancy tests to show results?- Evaluation of "3" on a scale precision can be put Babycheck (tester dipped in a container of morning urine), sensitivity of 25 mME / ml, of hCG when the hormone reaches a sufficient concentration. Will the test show 2 weeks of pregnancy? Yes, but earlier it is unlikely.
- Experts give Evitest Proof (immersed in a container with urine), sensitivity from 20 mME / ml, rating "4" on the scale of accuracy of results. On what day of delay does the test show pregnancy? Not earlier than 11-12 days.
- Frautest COMFORT scores "5" (used in any conditions, it is enough to urinate for the test). The sensitivity is of the order of 10 mME / ml, the minimum concentration of the "pregnancy hormone" is sufficient, about 7-8 days, to obtain a pregnancy test response. Choose ultra sensitive systems to avoid mistakes.
On what day of delay will the test show pregnancy?
The hCG hormone is increasing every day, but a simple pregnancy test on the 17-18th day of the cycle does not yet respond to changes in hormonal levels. The fertilized egg travels through the tubes, it will become fixed in the lining of the uterus in about a week. Actively increasing in size, it, in rare cases, can get stuck on the way, then an ectopic pregnancy occurs, which the tests "do not see".If the embryo is in the uterus, most pregnancy tests on the 27th day of the cycle (by the time delay) are able to "notice" hCG. Further, every day the concentration of the hormone increases, it is easier to determine the "interesting position".
Attention: There are electronic test systems that can determine the days and weeks of pregnancy by the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin.
A small display shows "+" or "pregnon" and numbers indicating the week or "age" of the embryo (ask at the pharmacy). They have a highly sensitive protein indicator applied to a special matrix. It is located in the building, in a special window where you need to drip urine.
Simpler systems, like litmus paper, need to be placed under the stream or immersed for a while in a container of urine. But there may be a false answer when hCG is not enough to detect changes. At a minimum concentration of the 25th day of the cycle, a pregnancy test is often negative, but this is not necessarily a true answer.
Please note: An alternative in case of doubt is to pass a laboratory analysis for hCG at the clinic, but also after a few days. Even highly sensitive tests will not show pregnancy immediately after conception - there are still no reagents that are needed to determine it.
Real data can be obtained on the eve of the next menstruation. Even an ultra sensitive pregnancy test (when you can check it right away) will show a negative result in the short term. With a standard menstrual cycle of 28 days, only the sensitive strip of the pregnancy test will “strip” on days 23-24 of the cycle.
What week does the test show pregnancy
So on which day of pregnancy will the test show a result? In different ways, and here's why. Ovulation (the release of a mature egg from the follicle) occurs in the middle of the cycle. But there may be options when paired organs (ovaries) "release" eggs on different days, respectively, fertilization should occur on the same day.Sometimes this release of the largest cell of the female body is slightly delayed or produced 1-2 days earlier, which is reflected in the calculation of the exact date of ovulation and the next menstruation. As a result, on the 24th day of the cycle, the pregnancy test may "beep" or be silent, and the fertilization of the egg has occurred. This explains the inaccuracies in ovulation counting and testing "errors".
In order for the test system to recognize changes in the hormonal background, the ovum must actively produce hCG, anchored in the wall of the uterus. This does not happen immediately after the fusion of the egg with the fastest sperm. How many days will the test show pregnancy? Not in the first 2-3 days, that's for sure - the chorion has not yet formed, although cell division occurs exponentially. During this period, the future embryo travels through the fallopian tubes for several days.
Important: When figuring out which week the pregnancy test shows, do not confuse the weeks of the cycle (from the beginning of menstruation) and the weeks after fertilization (at the time of ovulation)!
If all processes are correct, the ovum is actively moving into the uterus, the 20th day of the cycle ultra sensitive pregnancy test is able to catch the first molecule of human chorionic gonadotropin. All this happens at the cellular level, it is impossible to look at how all the processes are going.
It can be assumed purely theoretically - recognition of pregnancy is possible after the 3rd week, if you count from the beginning of menstruation. After 2 weeks - ovulation, another week - for conception and the advancement of the ovum into the uterus, that is, from the 3rd week with a 28-day cycle.
Therefore, if the pregnancy is 1 week, the test will already show pregnancy. But this applies to those probes that respond to the slightest concentration. The packaging should say "10 mME / ml", these are tests with the most sensitive indicators of the hCG hormone.
Note: If you want to know about the "interesting" position before there is a delay, look at the pharmacy for the test sensitivity indicator. When purchasing a test system, find out if the test will show a result at 4 weeks of gestation.
It makes no sense to use tests in the middle of the cycle, no matter how hypersensitive they may be. Unprotected intercourse during ovulation is a reason to carefully monitor your well-being, since the likelihood of fertilization is high.
An ultra sensitive test indicator a week before menstruation will show pregnancy, but it is better to clarify this twice - there are false positive results. A false negative answer is also possible, but more on that in another article.
The presence of hCG in the blood should be confirmed by a laboratory analysis, a successfully formed pregnancy - ultrasound. Whether it will be a long-awaited child or a big surprise, in any case, we wish you not to be deceived with the test result!
