The pregnancy test results can tell whether you are pregnant since the body produces HCG hormone when pregnant. Later in pregnancy, HCG is involved in the baby’s growth, so your HCG levels begin to rise early on as the hormone causes changes in your body. A positive pregnancy test result indicates that you are pregnant, while a negative one indicates that you are not.
You might be wondering when you should get this test done! Doing the test at the right time will give you the correct result. Some tests are sensitive enough to detect even before the missed period. However, it is still best to wait until the first day after the missed period.
The test should be taken a week after the missed period for better results.
A pregnancy test is used to confirm the presence of the HCG hormone, which is produced after the fertilized egg has successfully implanted itself in the uterus about ten days after conception.
Testing too early might be a false negative, especially if the HCG is still low.
How do you know you are pregnant
When you miss a period
While most women experience the first sign of pregnancy as missed periods, it is hard to know this for people with irregular periods. A missed period means not experiencing it for over a month, but that does not necessarily mean pregnancy is confirmed since stress, illness, changes in medication, or adjustments in birth control can also delay the periods.
For other women, there might be slight spotting or bleeding in the vagina. It is not a period but might be an implantation. The period is overdue; in that case, the pregnancy test should be taken first.
Cramps in the abdominal area
Abdominal cramping can be familiar with a pregnant uterus as the expanding uterus stretches ligaments. Some women describe it as easy pulling and may feel pain on either side of the lower abdomen. However, unless something is seriously wrong, most women find that rest or fluid intake or the application of a hot water bottle can help ease these feelings. Persistent or severe pain will often require physician examination.
It’s always advisable to visit a women’s health care clinic in NJ to get pregnancy testing and confirm the results.
Sensitive and enlarged breasts
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy and probably one of the most painful is tender, enlarged, or sensitive breasts. This often starts one to two weeks after conception when hormonal changes start to prepare the body for breastfeeding.
These hormonal changes cause the breasts to enlarge and the nipples to darken, though sensitivity from breasts that may be tender to the touch should generally subside within a few weeks. Growth, however, continues well into the pregnancy and will show that your body is ready to nourish your baby.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common early symptoms associated with pregnancy. Most women experience them within the first few months. Such signs usually begin two weeks to two months after conception and can occur at any time of day; however, the most common times tend to be in the morning hours.
For most women, this discomfort disappears in the second trimester, but gestation can vary. Although these symptoms are normally harmless if you cannot retain food or lose weight, see a healthcare provider to rule out dehydration and other problems.
But before that, if you are feeling the same signs, consult your doctor for a pregnancy test to confirm it.
Tiredness
Fatigue can also be an early sign of pregnancy because high progesterone levels cause the body to work even harder to carry the fetus. Since blood sugar and, in some cases, blood pressure are said to decline during the early stages of pregnancy, many people are quite fatigued more than usual and have to rest according to their bodies needs. A balanced healthy diet also gives one energy when supplemented with iron, proteins, and good calories.
If you suspect you might be pregnant, it is very important to confirm it with a healthcare professional. For the right pregnancy testing and relevant information, visit your nearest women’s health center.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes occurring in the early stages of pregnancy often cause food and odor aversions. You may suddenly hate the smell or taste of foods you previously enjoyed, and you could feel cravings for some specific snacks, meals, or even some unusual food combinations. All these are a normal response to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy.
See a doctor for confirmation
If the home pregnancy test gives you a negative result, but you feel sure you are pregnant, seek medical confirmation. You might be correct, and you can only count on your instincts, acting as though you are pregnant until a doctor can tell you otherwise.
Doctors provide a more accurate test for checking pregnancies, including blood tests, which can identify more minor levels of hCG within 11–14 days following ovulation. Such tests are also available to give results in both quantitative and qualitative terms. This gives a much better result than the home urine tests. It is said to be 99% accurate and would further determine the development stage of the pregnancy.
So, it’s always advisable to visit a nearby women’s healthcare clinic in NJ and get your pregnancy confirmed through testing.