Pregnancy Tests – Types of Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy tests are taken in order to determine the pregnancy of a female. The tradition of pregnancy testing is as old as ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures. However, the methods have been different from the ones that are followed, these days.

The modern pregnancy tests involve chemical markers. These markers are usually found either in blood or urine. Successful tests require sampling of at least one of these substances. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or HCG is supposed to be the first of these markers to be discovered.

This is produced by placenta and was discovered in the year 1930.

HCG is known to be a significant and reliable marker of pregnancy. However, this can only be detected after the process of implantation. This often results in false negatives in case, the test is performed during early stages of pregnancy.

Pregnancy can also be detected via using obstetric ultrasonography. This method was practiced first in the 1960s. It was in the mid 1970s that the first home test kit for HCG released.

Today, with the advancement in medical field and technology, the tests have become a lot easier and reliable. One can easily trust almost all types of over-the-counter home tests available in drug stores today.

Once you find a positive result in these tests, you can visit a health care professional or gynecologist for further appointments and tests. Remember that it is very important to undergo some other tests in order to make sure that the pregnancy is normal. This would also make sure that there are no abnormalities.

Here are some of the most common types of tests available for testing whether a female is pregnant.

• Urine based

These tests are very common, are also convenient and can be conducted at home. All that you require to is to purchase a urine pregnancy test. Now, you need to urinate in a special cup. A special stick needs to be immersed in the urine for a specific period of time.

In case, you follow instruction in correct order as mentioned in the kit, you would come to know about your pregnancy. Usually the results are accurate. Most of the clinics also adopt the same method for testing.

There is also another urine test method. Here, a woman requires to hold a special stick inside the urine stream for sometime. This test is nearer as compared to the one mentioned earlier. This method is accurate for early tests.

• Blood

These are very reliable and can easily be carried out by the health care professionals. The test accurately detects the presence of HCG which indicates that a woman is pregnant.

It is very important to take the test as early as possible due to avoid any sort of complications. This is also very important for the health of the baby.

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