When you are pregnant there is a rapid rise in the amount of a hormone called human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG)in the early days and weeks.
Pregnancy tests detect the presence of this hormone in your urine. You may decide to take a pregnancy test if you experience symptoms associated with pregnancy such as enlarged, tingling breasts, nausea, dizziness, a metallic taste in your mouth, and a feeling that your period is about to start. You may experience all, some or none of these symptoms.
Home Pregnancy TestsThese can usually be carried out from the day you are due to come on. Work out your cycle length by counting the number of days from the first day of your period until the day before your next period starts. If your periods are irregular allow for your longest recent cycle length before testing. If you are unsure when your next period is due, wait at least 19 days after you last had unprotected sex before testing.
If you get a negative result from the pregnancy test, but you still suspect that you are pregnant, you can do another test after three days. It is possible that you conceived later than you thought, and the level of hCG in your urine was not enough to be detected by the first test. If you get another negative result you should speak to your doctor if you still have not had a period. They are able to carry out blood or urine tests to confirm if you are pregnant.
The tests performed by health professionals are just as accurate as home pregnancy tests so most surgeries will accept your positive test as confirmation.
May 2011
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How Long do Babies Carry their Mother's Immunity?
