Home Pregnancy tests

Pregnancy tests done in the home are considered by many to be as accurate as laboratory tests. These home tests use urine samples which are then combined with a chemical to see if a certain pregnancy hormone is present. Such tests are private, convenient, and the inexpensive (though so are many lab tests). But you have to be careful to follow the directions and not knock or disturb the specimen – otherwise the result will be inaccurate. If the home test indicates you are pregnant, you should make and appointment with your clinician as soon as possible.

Your Initial Visit

It is important to have complete physical examination once you suspect you are pregnant. This will include taking the complete medical history. Be sure to provide accurate information to your clinician. Following the history, you will have a complete physical examination including your eyes, ears, heart, abdomen, lymph nodes, breasts and lungs checked. This will follow through examination of your reproductive organs – vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

If you are pregnant, there are several chances that the clinician will immediately notice. For example, shortly after conception, the uterus, cervix, and vagina begin to retain fluid. This caused the veins to become congested and dilated, causing a dusky bluish appearance to the cervix, vagina, and vulva. Your cervix and uterus will also become softened. In addition, your breasts will become slightly tender to the touch and fuller. The nipples and the areolas (the dark areas around the nipples) will become dark and slightly puffy.

If it is not possible to confirm a pregnancy with only a physical examination, your clinician may also recommend some type of pregnancy tests.

Pregnancy Tests

It is no longer necessary to wait until you have missed two menstrual periods before having a pregnancy confirmed.

One test for pregnancy use a hormone in the woman’s urine called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone is produced by the developing placenta and is excreted in the urine. Using an early morning urine sample, a clinician can determine pregnancy about a week after a missed period.

Fees

Once you are accustomed to the idea of being pregnant with all its ramifications, you will want to ask, “What is it going to cost?”