What Developments Have Been Made In Pregnancy Blood Tests
There are exciting new developments in prenatal blood tests, which expand the scope of their benefits. New research has shown that blood tests can predict premature birth and may identify the risk of gestational diabetes in the first trimester. In both cases, forewarned is forearmed: The sooner doctors can begin preparing for a potentially risky pregnancy, the better the overall outcomes. By addressing risks earlier in the pregnancy, you may be able to deal with concerns and make lifestyle changes before reaching a health-related crisis.
Recent research out of Australia also indicates that blood tests may be used to determine a mothers risk of preeclampsia, a severe and possibly life-threatening pregnancy complication related to high blood pressure that effects 3 8% of pregnant women. Although the test for preeclampsia is not currently available in the United States, its use in Australiawhere it accurately predicted preeclampsia in 95% of casesindicates that positive steps are being taken. Be sure to ask your doctor about the latest available tests.
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How Blood Testing During Pregnancy Is Done
A pregnancy blood test is performed just like any other blood test. You probably dont need to do anything special to prepare, but it never hurts to confirm with your doctor just to be sure.
During the test, the technician will insert the needle into your vein and collect your blood into vials. The process only takes a few minutes.
You might feel a little pinch when the needle goes in. Some people feel dizzy or lightheaded after the blood is collected thats normal. Just stay seated until the feeling passes, and if youre feeling really woozy, ask for some water or juice.
If youre wondering about the cost, good news: Prenatal care including routine blood tests are typically covered by most insurance plans, though its worth checking with your insurance provider if youre not sure.
If you need to pay out-of-pocket, a basic pregnancy blood test usually runs between $35 and $90. But youll want to find out the exact fee beforehand to avoid any surprises.
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What Should I Do If My Pregnancy Test Is Positive
If you take a pregnancy test after you miss your period and the result is positive, that means youre pregnant. You can always take another test to be sure, if you want.
You may want to go to a nurse or doctor, family planning clinic, or local Planned Parenthood Health Center to get a follow-up test. Theyll talk with you about your pregnancy options, and help get you the care you need. Be careful not to visit a Crisis Pregnancy Center, because they might not give you real medical care or truthful information about your pregnancy and all of your options.
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Efficacy Of Urine Vs Blood Pregnancy Tests
Urine tests are low-cost, painless, easy-to-use, can be done in the privacy of one’s home, and are very accurate , which is why they are the standard test used for most pregnancies.
A blood pregnancy test is warranted due to complicating factors. These tests are also very accurate, providing quick results that can give doctors more detailed information about your pregnancy.
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What Are The Signs Of Pregnancy
The signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. Usually the most obvious sign is the absence of menstruation . However, some women continue to have bleeding even while pregnant. The following are the most common first signs of pregnancy. However, each woman may experience the signs of pregnancy differently. These may include:
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Extreme tiredness
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Nausea or vomiting
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Frequent urination
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Certain food cravings or aversions
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Bloating of the belly
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Darkening of the skin around the nipples .
These early signs may not positively indicate pregnancy, but may actually signal another process happening within the body. A pregnancy test can provide more accurate results.
Is A Pregnancy Blood Test Better Than A Urine Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy blood tests for hCG is more sensitive and therefore, more accurate than a urine pregnancy test. So even if your at-home pee test read positive, your practitioner might opt to run an hCG blood test to confirm the happy news.
Blood tests can also pick up hCG earlier than urine tests as soon as six to eight days after ovulation. That may be helpful for women undergoing fertility treatments, since it can indicate whether the treatment helped you conceive.
And if your provider opts to give you a quantitative hCG test, which measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood, it can give you additional information that a simple urine test cant.
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What Is A Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test is a way to determine if youre pregnant by looking at the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in your body. From the very beginning of pregnancy, your body starts to go through changes to support growth in the grouping of cells that will develop into your baby. One thing that happens very quickly is production of hCG. This chemical is only found in pregnant women and it starts to build up once the fertilized egg implants in the uterus about 10 days after conception.
There are two main types of pregnancy tests urine tests and blood tests. Often, youll take a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test kit. This type of test can be purchased over-the-counter and is available in a variety of price ranges. Blood tests to check for pregnancy are done in your healthcare providers office.
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Pregnancy Blood Test Results
Did your test come back positive for hCG in your blood? Then congratulations are in order youre definitely pregnant!
A test that comes back negative for hCG usually means a woman isnt pregnant. But rarely, its possible for an hCG blood test to deliver a false negative.
If your test doesnt detect any hCG but you and your provider still suspect youre pregnant, he or she may recommend re-doing the test in a week. At that point, if youre pregnant, your blood hCG levels should be higher and more easily detected.
If you were given a quantitative hCG test, the results will tell you exactly how much hCG is in your bloodstream. Try not to read into these numbers too closely or compare them with other moms-to-be. Theres a very wide range for what counts as normal and no two pregnant womens levels are exactly alike.
And if yours do look a little different? Take a deep breath: Everything is likely still A-okay. Most likely your due date is a little off, and in some cases, higher levels could mean youre having twins.
Ultimately, the most important thing is that your pregnancy is progressing normally and that your hCG levels continue going up until weeks 7 to 12 of pregnancy .
But if you have any questions or concerns, bring them up with your practitioner. Chances are he or she will be perfectly happy with your numbers and you should be too.
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Home Pregnancy Test With Sugar
A home pregnancy test with sugar is a test that can be used to determine if a woman is pregnant. The test is performed by adding sugar to a womans urine. If the sugar dissolves, the woman is not pregnant. If the sugar does not dissolve, the woman is pregnant.
The test is based on the fact that when a woman is pregnant, her body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin . This hormone is released into the womans urine and can be detected by adding sugar to the urine. If the sugar dissolves, the woman is not pregnant. If the sugar does not dissolve, the woman is pregnant.
The home pregnancy test with sugar is a simple, easy to use test that can be performed in the privacy of a womans home. The test is also inexpensive and can be used to determine if a woman is pregnant as early as four to five days after her missed period.
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Reasons To Take A Blood Pregnancy Test
Blood pregnancy tests are more sensitive than urine tests. They are typically used for those facing infertility or a suspected miscarriage.
A blood test can confirm pregnancy as early as 9 days after conception. Urine pregnancy tests take at least 10 days or longer.
Blood pregnancy tests have to be taken at the doctor’s office. Your doctor might advise you to wait until a missed period to do any type of pregnancy testing so you can get the most accurate result. Testing too early can produce a false negative.
Unlike home pregnancy tests, blood tests don’t give immediate results. You’ll have to wait for a blood pregnancy test result to come back from the lab.
What Is Urine Hcg Qualitative
The pregnancy hormone is not only present in the blood but is also found in the urine of pregnant women. Urine hCG qualitative tests are similar to hCG qualitative blood test, except that it does not require blood or serum. Instead, urine samples are tested for the presence of hCG. The presence of the hormone in urine is a strong indication of pregnancy.
Urine hCG qualitative tests do not show the specific hormone level, so it cannot be used to determine the proper development of a pregnancy. The test can also result in false negatives and false positives. However, some urine tests are highly sensitive and can detect lower hCG levels, resulting in early pregnancy detection.
Although urine hCG qualitative tests can be accurate, many OTC urine tests do not detect hyperglycosylated hCG. In simple terms, early pregnancy can easily go undetected with urine tests.
A qaualitative hCG blood test is more specific and sensitive than a urine pregnancy test. However, the latter is more comfortable for many women, more convenient, affordable, has a quicker turnaround, and does not require the presence of a healthcare professional or medical prescription.
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How Soon Can A Blood Test Confirm Pregnancy
If you think you might be pregnant, you may be able to wait the recommended two weeks for an accurate urine test. Or, you may wish to know sooner! If you are wondering how soon can a blood test confirm pregnancy, or if you have more questions related to pregnancy confirmation, youll find some important information below. And if you are looking for the best pregnancy care available near Coral Springs, Florida, book an appointment at our practice! We have two of South Floridas top-rated ob-gyns practicing under one roof at Lona Sasser Obstetrics and Gynecology.
When To See A Doctor
Most women who have a positive pregnancy test should wait a week or two before calling the Ob/Gyn office for a pregnancy blood test or ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. We suggest waiting because the rate of early pregnancy loss is high, and its possible that you might have had a chemical pregnancy.
However, women with a history of ectopic pregnancy or current abdominal pain should call the doctor right away to be examined. Ectopic pregnancies implant outside of the uterus and produce hCG, resulting in positive pregnancy tests. However, these pregnancies can cause abdominal bleeding and prompt medical care is necessary. Women who have congenital heart defects or other chronic physical or mental health conditions should also see a doctor right away because treatment plans or medications might need to be altered to protect the woman and the fetus.
Advances in home pregnancy tests give women greater insight into whats going on in their bodies sooner than ever before. No matter what your childbearing plans might be, its essential to get quick, accurate results at home to plan your next steps accordingly.
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Why Would I Need This Test
Your doctor might use the blood hCG test to check if you are pregnant, to confirm a positive urine hCG test or to monitor your pregnancy. The blood test is more sensitive than the urine test and the results can assist your doctor to work out when the baby will be born and discover whether the pregnancy is developing normally or not.
Blood hCG tests are also used to detect or monitor the tumours that produce hCG. If the hCG level goes up, this suggest the tumour is getting bigger. If it goes down, it suggests the tumour is getting smaller.
How Early Can Blood Tests Detect Pregnancy
Similar to home pregnancy tests, you can detect pregnancy through blood tests about seven to 12 days after conception. Nonetheless, blood tests are better options in determining pregnancy because it can also check the hCG levels in your blood. This information is useful to help you check any problems experienced during pregnancy,
In case you feel the early signs of pregnancy, such as missed period, tenderness of breasts, or vomiting, it is best to take pregnancy blood test. This will help you check whether or not you are pregnant and get the necessary pre-natal vitamins to ensure your babys safety.
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Which Ultrasound Imaging Techniques Are Available
There are several types of ultrasound imaging techniques. As the most common type, the 2-D ultrasound provides a flat picture of one aspect of the baby.
If more information is needed, a 3-D ultrasound exam can be done. This technique, which provides a 3-D picture, requires a special machine and special training. The 3-D image allows the health care provider to see the width, height and depth of the images, which can be helpful during the diagnosis. The 3-D images can also be captured and saved for later review.
The latest technology is 4-D ultrasound, which allows the health care provider to visualize the unborn baby moving in real time. With 4-D imaging, a three-dimensional image is continuously updated, providing a live action view. These images often have a golden color, which helps show shadows and highlights.
Ultrasound images may be captured in still photographs or on video to document findings.
Can I Take The Test At Home
At-home pregnancy tests are a fast and convenient way to take a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy testing is very similar to qualitative urine hCG testing performed in the laboratory, but there are some important differences to be aware of:
- At-home tests have very specific instructions that must be followed exactly. When using an at-home test, follow the directions carefully. Each tests ability to detect the presence of hCG can vary based on the brand of the test.
- You need to look carefully at the test instructions about how long you must wait to test after a missed menstrual period. Tests that are done too soon may result in a negative result when you are actually pregnant.
- At-home pregnancy tests should typically be done using a urine sample taken the first time you urinate in the morning. This is when urine is the most concentrated and has enough hCG to be detected.
When used correctly, most at-home pregnancy tests produce the same result as the qualitative urine hCG test done by a medical provider.
If your test is positive, it is important to reach out to your health care provider to learn more about the next steps in your care, including other tests that may be needed to confirm that you are pregnant.
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What Do The Pregnancy Test Results Mean
Results may show up as a line, a color, or a symbol such as a “+” or “-” sign. Digital tests show the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” It’s important to know what a positive or negative result means.
If you get a positive result, youâre pregnant. This is true no matter how faint the line, color, or sign is. If you get a positive result, you may want to call your doctor to talk about what comes next.
In very rare cases, you can have a false-positive result. This means you’re not pregnant but the test says you are. You could have a false-positive result if you have blood or protein in your pee. Certain drugs, such as tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, hypnotics, and fertility drugs, could cause false-positive results.
If you get a negative result, youâre probably not pregnant. But you may be pregnant if:
- The test is past its expiration date.
- You took the test the wrong way.
- You tested too soon.
- Your pee is too diluted because you drank a lot of fluids right before the test.
- Youâre taking certain medications, such as diuretics or antihistamines.
If you get a negative result, try retesting within about a week to double-check. Some home pregnancy tests suggest doing this no matter what your first results are.
If you take the test twice and get different results, call your doctor. A blood test is a good idea to confirm results.
If you have any other questions about the pregnancy test or the results, call your doctor or the telephone number listed with the test.
