Pregnancy Tests

There are several home pregnancy tests that you may take to determine whether or not you are pregnant. These tests are generally easy to use and provide quick results. Some tests can be used as early as the first day after a missed period. They work by measuring the level of the pregnancy hormone, humanchorionic gonadotropin (HCG), in urine. Home pregnancy tests are always improving in accuracy, but they are still not 100% accurate. If you take a home pregnancy test, it is still important to visit your doctor as soon as possible if you think you may be pregnant. Even if you get a false result, it is still possible that you are be pregnant, so contact your physician as soon as possible. Remember, early prenatal care is a vital part of the good health of your developing child.

For a more accurate test of pregnancy, you can get a blood test at your physician 's office. While blood tests are more sensitive than home tests, they are also more expensive and must be performed by your doctor or clinician. Blood tests also do not give results as quickly. Blood tests work by measuring the amount of a specific portion of the HCG hormone, which is called the beta subunit. By measuring these levels, it is even possible to predict a due date.