You Were Pregnant: Early Pregnancy Loss
Unfortunately, a faint positive line can also be a sign of a very early miscarriage, sometimes called a chemical pregnancy, which occurs within the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy, often much earlier.
If you take a home pregnancy test after a miscarriage, your test may reveal a faint positive line. This is because your body may have residual pregnancy hormone in its system, although youre no longer expecting.
You may experience bleeding that resembles your menstrual cycle and light cramping. Bleeding can occur around the time when you expect your next period, so you may never know of the early miscarriage. But if you take a home pregnancy test while bleeding and the results show a faint positive line, you may have had a pregnancy loss.
Theres no specific treatment, but you can talk with your doctor if you suspect a miscarriage.
Early pregnancy losses are not uncommon and occur in about 50 to 75 percent of all miscarriages. These miscarriages are often due to abnormalities in a fertilized egg.
The good news is that women who have had a very early pregnancy loss dont necessarily have problems conceiving at a later time. Many women eventually have healthy babies.
When In Doubt Test
Sexually active women in their reproductive years have a chance of pregnancy every month, even when using protection. There are certain signals your body might send that should prompt you to take a pregnancy test.
For the best results, take the test after you think youve missed your period. Test during your first morning bathroom visit, or hold it for several hours to increase the concentration of the HCG hormone that the test measures.
Testing early helps to ensure that you get proper care for yourself and, if applicable, prenatal care for your baby. In the event of a positive result, contact your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your options and potential next steps.
Pregnancy Tests At Walgreens
Think you may be pregnant? Of course, you want to know quickly and accurately whether you’re soon to become a parent. Early care is essential to a healthy pregnancy and baby. With a home pregnancy test, you can get results without leaving your home. Home pregnancy tests are highly accurate and simple to use and interpret so you can get the answers you need.
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Using Home Pregnancy Tests Correctly
Always read the instructions carefully before beginning a pregnancy test. Complete instructions are included with each kit. Be sure to time the test accurately. If you read it too soon, the results may be inaccurate. The best time to take a home pregnancy test is first thing in the morning. Your urine is most concentrated at this time and HCG levels will be easier to detect. Urine that’s too dilute may give a falsely negative result for some women.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
Think you might be pregnant?
Even with the most effective birth control methods, theres always a chance for error. After all, it takes just one sperm to fertilize the egg. Finding out whether or not thats happened is as easy as taking an over-the-counter pregnancy test.
OTC pregnancy tests typically test your urine for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin . HCG is only present if youre pregnant. The hormone is only released if a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus or to your uterine lining.
There are different ways to collect your urine for the test. Depending on the test you choose, you may have to:
- collect your urine in a cup and dip a testing stick into the liquid
- collect your urine in a cup and use an eyedropper to move a small amount of fluid into a special container
- place the testing stick into the area of your expected urine stream so that it will catch your urine midstream
According to Cleveland Clinic, most tests are 99 percent effective if taken after a missed period. The best part is that you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Simply open the test, follow the instructions, and wait for the recommended amount of time to view the results.
After the recommended waiting time has passed, the tests will display your results in one of the following ways:
- a change in color
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Other Home Pregnancy Tests
In addition to using the natural ingredients available in your kitchen cupboard, you can do home pregnancy tests using certain chemically laden ingredients commonly available in every household. As a bonus, find the answer to your burning question how to test pregnancy at home using homely products.
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What Does The Test Result Mean
A negative hCG result means that it is unlikely that a woman is pregnant. However, tests performed too early in a pregnancy, before there is a significant hCG level, may give false-negative results. The test may be repeated in one week if there is a strong possibility of pregnancy.
A positive hCG means that a woman is likely pregnant. However, false-positive tests can occur if a woman is post-menopausal or taking hormone supplements.
The blood level of hcG in a woman with an ectopic pregnancy usually rises at a slower rate than normal. Typically, hCG levels double every 48 to 72 hours for the first four weeks of a normal pregnancy, then slow to every 96 hours by six weeks. Those with failing pregnancies will also frequently have a longer doubling time early on or may even show falling hCG concentrations during the doubling period. hCG concentrations will drop rapidly following a miscarriage. If hCG does not fall to undetectable levels, it may indicate remaining hCG-producing tissue that will need to be removed .
A high hCG level may indicate that the pregnancy dating has been miscalculated, that there is a molar pregnancy, or that it is a multiple pregnancy.
How Accurate Are Urine Tests
Urine tests or home pregnancy tests are around 97% accurate when done correctly. Home pregnancy tests are great to use because they can be done at home, they are usually low in cost , private, they give a fast result, and are easy to use.
However, if done incorrectly or taken too early, the result can be inaccurate. If you get a negative result and still have symptoms of pregnancy , wait a week and take another test or contact your doctor so you can have a blood test done.
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Are All Home Pregnancy Testing Methods The Same
Most brands of at-home pregnancy tests are reliable. Although the exact testing method of different pregnancy tests can differ from one type to the other, they all look for hCG in your body. Some tests might do this through urine while others look for the pregnancy hormone in your blood. If youre using an at-home test, most will give you the same result. The difference with your at-home tests will be the sensitivity of the test. Some might be more sensitive than others and produce a positive result detect hCG in your urine sooner than others. For the most accurate reading, its still recommended that you wait till youve missed your period. At that point, all tests should be accurate.
How Early Can Home Pregnancy Tests Show Positive Results
In the Aerosmith song Sweet Emotion, Steven Tylers lyric the rabbit done died refers to the original way a pregnancy test was performed one that literally killed rabbits. Urine from a woman who thought she might be pregnant was injected into a rabbit, which would then be surgically opened so its ovaries could be inspected. If the woman was pregnant, the rabbits ovaries would undergo noticeable changes due to the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin that develops early in gestation. The rabbit unfortunately didnt survive.
Thankfully, pregnancy tests have evolved substantially since the 20th century. Women now have access to advanced tests that can detect a pregnancy days before a missed period. In fact, a CBS News article outlined the best home pregnancy tests according to research from Consumer Reports, based on ease of use, ease of reading results, and effectiveness. Many tests today are marketed as simple and effective, but getting accurate results comes down to when the test is taken.
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How Does The Online Pregnancy Test Am I Pregnant Quiz Work
The MomJunction online pregnancy test is designed with a set of questions that are based on the ovulation cycle, the number of times you have had intercourse, type of birth control methods you were using, and symptoms you are experiencing. We have also included questions about basal temperature and implantation. The results will depend on the answers you choose.
Whether or not you get a positive result in this quiz, you should get a pregnancy test done or visit a doctor if you miss your period.
Can Medications Affect The Result
Some medications can affect a pregnancy tests accuracy.
- Infertility medication
- Diuretics
Alcohol in the blood stream does not affect the pregnancy test because it does not interfere with the measurement of the hormone levels.
However, anyone who is trying to or expecting to become pregnant should avoid alcohol, as it can affect fetal development. Drinking during early pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight.
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Pregnancy Tests And Accuracy
A positive pregnancy test is almost always correct. Some negative tests may not be correct if you tested too early.
This is called a ‘false negative’ result. The result will present as negative, but you are actually pregnant.
This happens for a few of reasons, because:
- you did the test too early
- you didn’t wait long enough before checking the result
- your urine is very diluted because you have been drinking a lot of water
- there is a fault with the test
If the result of the test is negative, and you think you might still be pregnant, repeat the test a few days later. If symptoms persist after a few negative tests, make an appointment with your GP.
What Happens During Week 2 Of Pregnancy
Your Babys Development at 2 Weeks
In your ovary, an egg is maturing and getting ready to break free. Meanwhile, the lining of your uterus is growing and getting thicker to accept and nourish a new life. At the end of the week, ovulation will occur as your ovary releases the egg into your fallopian tubes.
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When Should I Take A Pregnancy Test
If you think you could be pregnant, its a good idea to take a test and make sure. If you are pregnant, you will need to begin prenatal care. Home pregnancy tests can differ in how early theyll detect a pregnancy. In many cases, you might get a positive from an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception. For a more accurate result, wait until after youve missed your period to take a test. Remember, if you take a test too soon it could be negative even if you are pregnant. If you get a negative test and then miss your period, take another test or contact your healthcare provider.
How Do You Know If You Conceived During Ovulation
Some women may notice symptoms as early as 5 DPO, although they wont know for certain that they are pregnant until much later. Early signs and symptoms include implantation bleeding or cramps, which can occur 56 days after the sperm fertilizes the egg. Other early symptoms include breast tenderness and mood changes.
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Other Factors That Affect Hcg
Sometimes, there may be a positive test result but the woman is not pregnant. High HCG can also indicate that some health condition has increased levels of the hormone.
This could be:
- a deficiency of immunoglobulin A , an important antibody in immune function
- gestational trophoblastic disease, a rare, pregnancy-related tumor
- gestational trophoblastic neoplasms, a rare uterine tumor
HCG can rise as a result of some types of cancer. These are transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and urinary tract, prostate cancer, renal cancer, and cancers of the gastrointestinal system. A pregnancy test may be used to assess for these.
Pregnancy tests are available at drugstores, pharmacies, and some convenience stores. Home pregnancy tests can be purchased for as little as a dollar, and some health centers offer them free of charge.
Blood Test Result Timetable
Blood tests are able to detect a smaller amount of hCG and they can detect it slightly earlier than standard at-home pregnancy tests, usually nine to 12 days after conception. Blood test results are usually available the same day or within a day.
Blood tests aren’t often done to detect pregnancy because they are expensive and at-home urine tests are quite accurate and sensitive. However, people who are undergoing fertility treatments may have blood tests as part of their care.
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Routine Tests During Pregnancy
Certain lab tests are part of routine care during pregnancy. Some of these tests are done with a blood sample. Others use a urine sample or a sample of tissue taken from your vagina, cervix, or rectum. These tests can help find conditions that may increase the risk of complications for you and your fetus. Many problems found by these tests can be treated during pregnancy.
What If Cvs Is Not Possible
Women with twins or other higher-order multiples usually need sampling from each placenta. However, because of the complexity of the procedure and the positioning of the placentas, CVS is not always feasible or successful with multiples.
Women who are not candidates for CVS or who did not get accurate results from the procedure may require a follow-up amniocentesis. An active vaginal infection, such as herpes or gonorrhea, will prohibit the procedure. In other cases, the doctor may take a sample that does not have enough tissue to grow in the lab, generating incomplete or inconclusive results.
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How Soon Can I Take A Pregnancy Test
You can take a pregnancy test anytime after your period is late thats when they work the best. Its a good idea to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible if you miss your period or think you might be pregnant.
The earlier you know youre pregnant, the sooner you can start thinking about your options and get whatever care you need to stay healthy.
Many pregnancy tests say they work a few days before a missed period, but the results are usually less accurate then. Read the label on your pregnancy test to find out when to take a pregnancy test and how accurate itll be.
Sometimes a pregnancy test is able to find pregnancy hormones in your urine as early as 10 days after unprotected sex. But these results arent super reliable, and you may get a false positive or false negative test result.
If your periods are very irregular, or you dont get periods at all for one reason or another, your best bet for accurate results is to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after sex.
What Does Sperm Do While Waiting For Egg
Only one sperm will succeed in penetrating the eggs outer membrane. After the sperm penetrates the egg, the egg immediately undergoes a chemical reaction that prevents other sperm from penetrating. Chromosomes carried by the sperm and the egg then come together, and the egg is officially fertilized.
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What Happens During A Pregnancy Test
You can get a home pregnancy test kit at the drug store without a prescription. Most are inexpensive and easy to use.
Many home pregnancy tests include a device called a dipstick. Some also include a collection cup. Your home test may include the following steps or similar steps:
- Do the test on your first urination of the morning. The test may be more accurate at this time, because morning urine usually has more HCG.
- Hold the dipstick in your urine stream for 5 to 10 seconds. For kits that include a collection cup, urinate into the cup, and insert the dipstick into the cup for 5 to 10 seconds.
- After a few minutes, the dipstick will show your results. The time to results and the way the results are shown will vary between test kit brands.
- Your dipstick may have a window or other area that shows a plus or minus sign, a single or double line, or the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” Your pregnancy test kit will include instructions on how to read your results.
If the results show you are not pregnant, you may want to try again in a few days, as you may have done the test too early. HCG gradually increases during pregnancy.
If your results show you are pregnant, you should make an appointment with your health care provider. Your provider may confirm your results with a physical exam and/or a blood test.
