Pregnancy
Tests
Blood or Urine tests and a pelvic exam are necessary to confirm
pregnancy.
Urine Pregnancy Test
The most simple way to confirm pregnancy is to buy a pregnancy testing kit
available in drug stores, two weeks after a missed period or earlier. It is
based on the detection of pregnancy hormone in the urine. The first urine specimen
of the day is preferred for testing as it has more concentration of pregnancy
hormone. This test can be performed in a matter of few minutes and only one
or two drops of urine is required. If the urine changes colour, the test is
positive. The test result can show incorrect results. Occasionally a false -
negative results can be a sign of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.
Pelvic Exam
If the urine test is positive or if you have any symptoms of pregnancy even
if the urine test is negative, you must consult a gynecologist. The doctor does
the pelvic exam usually after six week from the last menstrual period, to confirm
pregnancy. The physician inserts two fingers into the vagina alongside the cervix
while the other hand presses the lower abdomen and directs the pelvic organs
towards the examining fingers. The more relaxed your abdominal and vaginal muscles,
the more comfortable and thorough will be the exam. The main purpose of pelvic
exam in early pregnancy is to evaluate the size of the uterus, tubes and ovaries.
The doctor determines how many weeks you have been pregnant by evaluating uterine
enlargements, initially detectable about 4 weeks after conception. Besides uterine
enlargement he also looks for two other findings indicative of pregnancy, uterine
softening and a slight bluish colourisation of the cervix.
Blood Pregnancy test
Blood pregnancy test are the costliest as well as the most sensitive and
reliable of pregnancy tests. The basic type is called the radioimmunoassay (RIA)
or beta subunit HCG. This test is often reserved for pregnancy complications
such as a suspected tubal pregnancy, but it can also be used to determine if
a woman is pregnant before the missed period. A blood sample is taken and the
test result usually take about one hour. This test can also establish approximately
how far your pregnancy has progressed in weeks.
|
|
