What to do after a positive test. Can I take a pregnancy test during my period? What is a home pregnancy test and how does it work
Before the invention of pregnancy tests, mankind resorted to different ways guessing the onset of the gestation period. Peculiar pregnancy tests were carried out by wetting grains with female urine, mixing urine with wine, changes in the characteristics of the biological fluid under the influence various additives as well as squirting it to a certain kind of frog. So, it was believed that when pregnancy occurs, grains of wheat or barley, watered with urine, germinate faster, which helped not only to diagnose a successful conception, but also to predict the sex of the child. A repetition of such a test in the 70s of the 20th century showed a 70% effectiveness of the method for determining pregnancy.
A modern pregnancy test allows you to determine with a high probability the beginning of the birth of a new life without lengthy experiments with various compositions and grains. The variety of tests for rapid diagnostics, however, suggests the need to know when to take a pregnancy test, how to interpret the result and which tests are best to use.
Despite the modernization diagnostic methods, the material for testing remains the same as in the Middle Ages. Urine contains human chorionic gonadotropin, the same hormone whose concentration is measured in the diagnosis of pregnancy by a blood test.
In the venous blood, the hCG hormone begins to be determined 2-3 days after the beginning of the introduction of the chorionic villi to the walls of the uterus. Human chorionic gonadotropin reaches a sufficient concentration for most tests in the excreted urine about a week after the start of the process of its production in the body.
If there is a sufficient concentration of hCG in the urine for the level of sensitivity of the test, the reaction of the chemical preparation occurs on the surface of the test and the hormone. In the absence of a hormone or its insufficient concentration, the reaction does not occur, and the result is negative.
The average sensitivity of the tests present on the market is 25 mUI, such hCG indicator reaches, as a rule, two weeks after fertilization. Existing tests with higher sensitivity, reacting to a smaller amount of the hormone, diagnose its appearance 3-4 days earlier.
When can I use the test with a regular menstrual cycle?
If menstrual cycle differs in regularity and a constant number of days between the onset of bleeding, then it is not difficult to calculate the period of ovulation. The middle of the cycle (with a standard menstruation cycle of 28 days - on day 14) the egg is released.
Fertilization of an egg is possible within three days of its life cycle. After the process of fusion of the egg and sperm for 4-5 days, the germ cells migrate through the uterus to the site of placentation, after which the production of hCG begins. Assuming fertilization within 2 days, 4 days of migration and the time necessary to achieve the desired level of hormone concentration in the urine, highly sensitive tests are able to show the onset of pregnancy 10 days after ovulation, that is, with an average cycle of 28 days - on the 24th day of the cycle . For greater certainty, experts recommend using a highly sensitive test on the 12th day after the release of the egg from the ovary, tests of normal sensitivity - after 15-16 days.
Diagnosis of pregnancy with an irregular cycle
If the menstrual cycle is not regular, the length of periods between periods varies, then the time of using the test depends on the date of ovulation.
Ovulation can be determined by subjective feelings(some women feel characteristic tingling in the area of one of the ovaries, a feeling of fullness, swelling, sensitivity, mood changes), as well as by measuring rectal temperature and with an ovulation test. When determining the onset of ovulation and possible fertilization a pregnancy test is used 15 days after the due date.
Morning is wiser than evening: when is the best time to take a test
Most modern test strips do not limit the diagnostic period to any time of day: they can be used in the morning, afternoon, and night. However, experts, given the possibility of a natural decrease in the concentration of hCG after consumption a large number liquids, it is recommended to resort to diagnosis in the morning, using the first portion of urine after a night's sleep, especially with a short probable gestational age.
During the day, when fluid enters the body, the concentration of the hormone decreases. For periods more than 18 days after ovulation, this factor is not decisive, however, the timing of ovulation also does not always coincide with the expected ones. For accurate indicators, it is better to follow the recommendations of specialists, and in a situation where the test needs to be carried out in the afternoon or evening, then the diagnosis is optimal after four hours of abstinence from the toilet and limited use of liquid products to maintain the level of hCG concentration.
Rules for the use of rapid tests
- It is necessary to follow the rules for storage of tests provided by the manufacturer.
- Using the test in a damaged package may distort the diagnostic results.
- The package is opened immediately before the diagnosis.
- Using the test with expired suitability leads to incorrect results.
- The optimal time for the test is in the morning, immediately after a night's sleep.
- If the test is not a jet test, a urine collection requires the use of a clean container.
- Recommended before testing hygiene procedures with washing of the external genitalia.
- Strictly follow the instructions for use.
Pregnancy test: instructions for use
There are various types of rapid tests. Instructions for each type are attached to the test, violation of the rules of use most often leads to the appearance of incorrect indicators.
When diagnosing pregnancy, the test is used within the time specified by the manufacturer. If testing is recommended from the first days of the delay, then it is likely that the sensitivity of the reagent or individual characteristics, the timing of conception will make it possible to detect pregnancy earlier than the specified period, but most often exact result available only on the specified days of the cycle.
The cost of the test most often directly correlates with its reliability: the lower the price, the lower the cost of production and the cheaper the chemical reagent, respectively, the higher the quantity wrong results. Four modifications of tests are most common on the market today, each variety has its own characteristics and instructions for use. Some manufacturers produce various types of tests under a single brand (Evitest or Evitest, Frautest, etc.), when buying, you need to pay attention to the variety.
Test strip or strip test
Strip test (stripe test, strip test) is one of the first options for diagnosing pregnancy, a test for self-use and quick interpretation of the results. The most common and cheapest option (for example, Itest Plus is offered at a price of 20 rubles).
A paper-plastic strip with an additional inner layer impregnated with reagents stains in one or two places upon contact with urine. One strip confirms the effectiveness of the test, two indicate the presence of a sufficient concentration of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin to confirm pregnancy.
Rules for use: collect the first morning urine in a clean container, lower the test to the border indicated on the strip, hold it in the liquid for the required time (most often 20-30 seconds), remove it and put it on a dry horizontal surface.
The diagnostic results appear within a period of 1 to 10 minutes, depending on the concentration of the hormone. Some tests can also change the color of the control strip - the paler the color, the less term pregnancy.
Tablet type tests
Tablet tests are based on the same principle of action as strip tests: when a certain part of the surface comes into contact with urine, a chemical reaction of the reagent and the hCG hormone occurs. To reduce the probability of error, the volume of liquid is dosed, and the contact point is limited by a special window.
According to the instructions, it is necessary to collect urine in the attached clean container, then use the pipette from the kit to dose 4 drops into the small window of the test tablet. The results are evaluated in the following window: depending on the variety, one or two stripes or minus and plus appear.
Inkjet tests
This variety is considered one of the most accurate and sensitive, and also does not require additional devices and manipulations. The test strip is placed under the stream of urine for 10 seconds (if necessary, you can use a container and immerse the test in urine).
The results are to be evaluated after an interval of 1 to 10 minutes, depending on the concentration of the hormone. Unlike the above options inkjet tests can be used up to 5 days before the expected date of the onset of menstruation.
Digital pregnancy test
Electronic modification usual options. The test evaluates the concentration of the hCG hormone and requires immersion in urine, but the result (depending on the type of test) is displayed either on an electronic mini-board or appears on the computer screen, to which the test is connected via a USB port.
This option is considered the most optimal due to the impossibility of distorting the interpretation of the results. However, the sensitivity of digital tests is the same as that of inkjet tests: it is possible to use them 3-4 days before the expected date of menstruation. When testing 2 days before the start of menstruation, an accuracy of 99% is guaranteed.
Negative test result in developing pregnancy
In most cases, tests show negative result in pregnant women with too early application tests with low sensitivity, non-compliance with the instructions for use or storage. A negative result is also possible due to late ovulation and late conception - in such cases, the hormonal background changes more slowly than expected in accordance with the menstrual cycle.
Diseases endocrine system, violations hormonal background also lead to negative test results. For the threat of miscarriage, an increase in the level of the hCG hormone that does not correspond to the gestational age is characteristic, which, accordingly, leads to one strip on the test at a time when the concentration of hCG should be sufficient for two.
It is worth knowing that during gestation, tests can only be used in the first trimester. The concentration of hCG is not maintained during the period of expectation of the child, which leads to incidents: if tests are carried out for a period of more than 2-3 months, the result will be negative.
False positive results
Positive test results in non-pregnant women are much less common than the opposite situation and in most cases indicate the presence of diseases (ovarian dysfunction, the formation of a tumor formation in reproductive organs that produces hormones, etc.). False-positive diagnostic results are also noted in the first two months. postpartum period and when using an expired test.
Testing during menstruation
In some women, pregnancy is accompanied by menstrual-like discharge, similar in abundance, timing and manifestations to normal menstruation. As a rule, the discharge ends in the first trimester, but there are cases of their manifestations throughout the entire gestation period. In such situations, it is recommended to resort to diagnostics by a blood test, but the use of tests is also possible.
Any test is based on an assessment of the concentration of the hormone in the urine and the ingress of menstrual flow into it does not affect the effectiveness of the tests.
If test results are in doubt
Sometimes it is not easy to interpret the results of express diagnostics: the second indicator strip is slightly marked, translucent with inside test. Sometimes this happens due to poor-quality production of cheap paper test strips: when wet, the reagent becomes somewhat more noticeable than when dry.
A visible but pale second line most often indicates a low level of hCG, insufficient for the sensitivity of the test. In this case, it is better to postpone the test for 1-2 days or use a more highly sensitive option.
A strip with an insufficient degree of coloration may also appear as a result of improper storage of the test, violation of the instructions. In any case, retesting and/or blood testing for hCG is recommended.
Ectopic or non-developing pregnancy
Test results for ectopic and/or non-developing pregnancy are also positive: on the days of the expected menstruation, the presence of a second strip on the test is most often noted. But an increase in the level of the hormone under such conditions does not occur; on re-testing, the pregnancy indicator strip may turn pale or not appear, which requires immediate medical attention.
Anyone knows about the existence of these home tests modern girl. Potential mothers with bated breath are waiting for the cherished stripes. After all, a positive pregnancy test usually portends the imminent appearance of the desired baby.
The principle of operation of this mini-device is extremely simple: substances applied to the surface of the dough react to the presence hcg hormone(human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone begins to be produced in a woman at the time of implantation of the fetal egg.
This happens about a week before menstruation, and the woman does not yet feel other signs of pregnancy. For more reliable result hCG concentration should be much higher. That is why positive test results are up to the end monthly cycle- a rarity.
strip strip
The strip is the simplest and most popular "device" for determining pregnancy. Such a rapid test has simplest design: a paper strip that has a special reagent applied to it that “feels” hCG.
A significant drawback of this type of tests is their not the highest level of reliability. If the second strip does not appear or it is weak (“ghost strip”), then it makes sense to repeat the procedure a few days later, since the dynamics of pregnancy tests is of no small importance. The re-developed second strip on the test with a high degree of probability indicates an “interesting situation”.
Tablet
Tablet tests are a plastic case with two small squares or ovals. A certain amount of urine is placed in one of them, and the result appears in the second. Such a test is quite accurate, but at the same time its cost is several times higher than the price of test strips. Exactly because of this reason tablet tests are less popular with women.
Digital (electronic)
The best pregnancy tests on early dates are considered. But, by the way, most women who have used different types of devices know that after a delay, both the most sophisticated electronic and a simple test in the form of a strip will give a positive answer. So why overpay?
What does a positive pregnancy test look like?
There was a long-awaited delay in menstruation, the test was positive, the woman was overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. Is the answer really "yes"? And in general - what test is considered positive? Devices in the form of strips can produce three results:
- Negative (one clear line) - no pregnancy;
- Positive (two clear lines) - the woman is pregnant;
- Erroneous (not a single strip is observed) - testing was performed incorrectly, most likely, the instructions for use were not followed. Or the device is defective.
A pregnancy test is positive if the red vertical lines are clearly visible on it. Usually two strips on a pregnancy test are the main sign of an egg fertilization that has occurred.
It should be borne in mind that each strip should be brightly outlined and have a uniform color along its entire length. If both bands are fuzzy or blurry, this most likely indicates the unreliability of the test results. In such cases, the procedure must be repeated (preferably with a device of a different brand).
So, the test showed two stripes of deep red color? It is better to verify its accuracy by retesting. Otherwise, the disappointment of getting an erroneous result may be too unexpected and bitter.
On digital test a plus sign or the word pregnant on the screen is considered a positive answer. There are Russian-language models that say "pregnant."
The appearance of a faint strip on the test
Sometimes it is not possible to determine the exact amount with certainty. horizontal stripes on the express test. It happens that one band is clearly visible, and the second is barely visible. Sometimes a pregnancy test is obtained with two stripes, but both are difficult to see or take on blurry outlines. What does it mean? What are the reasons for such an incomprehensible phenomenon?
The main factors affecting the "blurring" of the strips are:
- Poor-quality sample of the product (it is worth buying a test from another manufacturer);
- Carrying out the procedure in the early stages (for example, before the delay or on its first day, when the hCG level is not high enough), then it is recommended to repeat the procedure after a few days);
- Conception occurred as a result of late ovulation (this is not a pathology and should not be scary);
- frozen or ectopic pregnancy(bands may not be as bright as expected);
Reasons for a false positive pregnancy test
Alas, there are situations when a pregnancy test with two strips is not confirmed upon conception. That is, .
Main reasons false positive results tests are:
- Usage poor quality sample. The results may be different, including the presence of three stripes or none at all.
- Non-compliance with the instructions for use;
- Abortion, miscarriage some time ago (for example, in the previous cycle). In these situations, hCG is not able to leave the woman's body instantly. It remains there for some time, which is the reason for the positive results.
- The presence of cysts or tumor processes. Education in internal organs of the small pelvis or stomach (including malignant ones) can affect the reliability of the results.
- Taking drugs containing hCG. For a number of indications, a woman may be prescribed drugs with a high content of hCG. The test may be unreliable, since the hormone finally leaves the body after two weeks and not a day earlier.
- At hormonal failure in a woman's body. In some cases, the body produces hormones similar to hCG, which causes positive test results.
What to do if the test is positive
So, the test showed that there is a pregnancy. What to do next? Usually, such news causes mixed feelings in women, even if the child is desired. Joy is often mixed with confusion and even fear. However, there is no need to worry. On the contrary, you need to try to eliminate stress from your life and, most importantly, make sure the results are reliable. This is especially important in a situation where a pregnancy test was taken before the delay.
Keep in mind that if the fetus is located outside the uterus, a pregnancy test will also give positive result. Avoid having this dangerous phenomenon during the ultrasound procedure. Or with the help of a blood test for hCG in dynamics.
Therefore, the first steps of a potential mother after the test should be directed towards the gynecologist's office. The doctor examines the patient and asks clarifying questions. If the specialist doubts whether the patient is pregnant, or wants to make sure that everything is in order, he may prescribe an additional examination. It usually includes:
- Delivery of a blood test. usually higher than in urine. Therefore, the analysis of venous blood allows you to accurately identify the presence of pregnancy.
- ultrasound. Similar Method research will not only confirm the presence of pregnancy, but also allow you to assess the condition of the fetus.
The result is positive, but there is no pregnancy
If the test shows two stripes, this is not a guarantee that conception has occurred. In medical practice, there are cases when the test is positive, but the ultrasound does not show pregnancy. A similar discrepancy is observed when:
- Hormonal failure in the body of a woman;
- Inflammatory or infectious diseases pelvic organs;
- menopause;
- The presence of tumor processes of the pelvic organs.
The main reason, not related to the woman's health indicators, is the quality of the device or its improper use. To avoid such mistakes, you need to carefully study the expiration dates of the product and carefully follow the instructions.
Usually, ultrasound examination eliminates all possible questions. In addition, an unchanged blood test for hCG will come to the aid of a doubting woman.
The test is a convenient and undoubtedly useful invention of mankind. With its help, you can not guess about the onset of conception, but check it easily and quickly. But do not forget that the device can make a mistake and the result is not always completely reliable. Therefore, after testing, it is worth visiting a gynecologist who will give a potential mother further recommendations and send you for the necessary examinations.
The first weeks of pregnancy, the most milestone in the development of the baby and the happiest for future mother. Pregnancy has arrived! Next steps - visit as soon as possible women's consultation and take good care of your health.
Women planning a pregnancy, as a rule, are under the supervision of a doctor and, on his recommendation, take vitamin B9. Folic acid prevents development in the fetus in the first 28 days after conception, and its absorption from natural products is not always possible. Therefore, the first thing to do is go to the pharmacy and purchase a vitamin (norm folic acid per day 0.4 mg), your gynecologist will tell you about taking other nutritional supplements.
Sign up to see a doctor
Positive pregnancy test - what next? Make an appointment with a doctor immediately! A visit to the gynecologist should not be debugged, it is better to do this before the end of the eighth week of pregnancy. The specialist will determine the term, issue directions for ultrasound and tests, give recommendations regarding health and nutrition.
Give up bad habits
Get rid of bad habits better before conception, but the first trimester does not exclude this action. Alcohol in any form is eliminated immediately and completely, it increases the risk of developing malformations of the central nervous system and fetal heart, leading to mental retardation. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and increases the risk of miscarriage. If you quit smoking in the first trimester, the risk premature birth and the birth of a baby with a low weight will decrease several times! If you are taking any medical preparations remember that some of them are dangerous in the first trimester. For example, they may cause miscarriage or increase the risk of malformations. Contact a specialist to clarify the dosage of the drug or its replacement. Do not take any medication without consulting a specialist.
Be careful
The fetus is most vulnerable to adverse external factors until the eighth week. During this period, avoid anything that can harm. It's X-rays, contact with chemicals and pesticides, visiting saunas and solariums, lifting weights, large crowds. Before the procedure in the dentist's office, warn about your position.
Stick to proper nutrition
When you see a positive pregnancy test and think about what to do next, first of all, think about the contents of your refrigerator. A complete and varied diet is the key to the health of the expectant mother and baby. Raw foods are prohibited, such as eggs, meat, seafood, unpasteurized milk.
It is undesirable to consume liver due to the high content of vitamin A - an overdose that is dangerous for the fetus is possible. Limit your intake of coffee, green and black tea, and chocolate. These products contain caffeine, which adversely affects the development of the child, and in the worst case, leads to miscarriage.
- Home pregnancy test: how it works
- Reason 1. Failure to meet the test check time
- Reason 2. Recent miscarriage or abortion
- Reason 3. Chorionic adenoma (molar pregnancy, hydatidiform mole)
- Reason 4. Taking medications
- Reason 5. Diseases
- Can pregnancy tests be trusted at all?
- What to do if the pregnancy test is positive
Home test systems for determining pregnancy are very popular today, they are so simple and reliable to use - manufacturers talk about 98 and even 99% reliability of the results. If you are wondering what is wrong with that 1%, then here are five reasons why a pregnancy test can be false positive.
Home pregnancy test: how it works
Home pregnancy tests are based on determining the concentration of one of the hormones - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. With the onset of pregnancy, the level of this hormone in the blood of a woman rises sharply, and it can be detected both in the blood and in the urine.
There are several varieties of home pregnancy tests, and usually the manufacturer gives clear and detailed instructions how to use them. So, some test strips need to be lowered to a certain level in a container with urine, while others need to urinate (or drop urine on contact zone test).
Depending on the choice of the manufacturer, a “+” sign, the words “yes”, “pregnancy” may appear on the test strip of a pregnant woman, but most often - two indicator lines. One of them appears in any case (this confirms that the test is working, and you followed the instructions exactly), the second - only when elevated level HCG in the urine, that is, indicates pregnancy. The second strip may be noticeably paler than the first, but still indicates a positive result. It is with these tests that women make the most common mistake.
Reason 1. Failure to meet the test check time
All tests have a time interval when the result should appear clearly and clearly - usually not earlier than 3-4 minutes after contact with urine and not later than 10-30 minutes after. If you look at the test later, after an hour or more, then for the second strip you can take the evaporation line - the border to which urine has risen along the test strip. After the dough dries, the dividing line becomes clearly visible, and it can be confused with an indicator strip.
Always strictly follow the test system manufacturer's instructions!
Reason 2. Recent miscarriage or abortion
After termination of pregnancy (natural or artificial) hCG level in a woman's body decreases, but, of course, not instantly. In some cases, it may take up to 35 days before the concentration of this hormone returns to normal, and the average time interval for establishing hormonal balance is 19 days. Of course, a pregnancy test during this period will show a false positive result.
If you have had a miscarriage or an abortion, you have used contraception, and your pregnancy test remains positive after three weeks, this is a reason to go medical examination. Part of the placenta may remain in the uterus, which continues to produce hCG. If you do not take any measures, then in the future it will lead to inflammation and serious problems with health.
Reason 3. Chorionic adenoma (molar pregnancy, hydatidiform mole)
Rare in Russia (according to various sources, one case per 1000-3000 pregnancies) but quite common in the countries of the Far East (one case per 120 pregnancies) genetic anomaly, in which the maternal chromosome is “lost” during conception, and the non-viable embryo contains either only the father’s chromosomes, or a double set of father’s chromosomes and one mother’s. There may not even be a fetus at all, but at the same time, a pathological proliferation of placental tissue occurs.
This pathology is easy to detect when ultrasound examination, however, if a woman does not go to the doctor, then she may consider herself pregnant for some time: her stomach grows, she suffers from toxicosis, and the results of the test strip inspire confidence. However, chorionadenoma dangerous pathology, which can lead to strong uterine bleeding and the formation of a malignant tumor. Pathology is rare, but let's not forget about it!
Reason 4. Taking medications
The vast majority of medicines and food products(including alcohol) does not affect the results of a pregnancy test. The only exception is drugs that contain hCG (they are used to treat infertility). If you are taking these drugs on the advice of your doctor, you will need to choose another way to test for pregnancy.
Reason 5. Diseases
Various diseases can affect the level of hCG in the body. It changes when:
- premenopause or menopause;
- ovarian cancer, Bladder, kidneys, liver, lungs, colon, chest and stomach;
- kidney disease or urinary tract infection;
- ovarian cyst.
In addition, there is the so-called "phantom hCG" - the chemicals in the pregnancy test can react with them in the same way as with the hormone itself. What we are talking the doctor finds out about “phantom hCG” by determining the content of chorionic gonadotropin by other methods. If the results of different tests differ significantly (sometimes by dozens of times), then we are talking about just such an error.
Can pregnancy tests be trusted at all?
Can! But it must be remembered that there are very different different women and at different points in pregnancy. It reaches its maximum at 8-9 weeks after conception. If you're itching to hear about a positive result and you're trying to take a test before your expected period, you're very likely to get false negative result. It is much more common than false positive.
What to do if the pregnancy test is positive
If a pregnancy test shows a positive result, you must notify your doctor. Only a specialist can confirm if you develop normal pregnancy or the test gave a false positive result.
If the test shows a negative result, but you still think that pregnancy is possible, you should also consult a doctor.
The accuracy of the pregnancy test is high - 99%. But do not forget that someone falls into the 1% of exceptions!
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