Introduction
Pregnancy is an exciting journey, but it comes with its own share of hurdles. One of the first things the couple feels anxious about is taking the pregnancy test.
Urine pregnancy test kits are sensitive to HCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is produced by the body from the first few days of pregnancy and is found in urine.
But most pregnancy test kits can detect accurate results only after a few days of missed periods.
Hence, to achieve accurate pregnancy test results, it is advised not to rush and wait it out for at least a week of your missed periods.
7 Tips for Accurate Results when Taking a Pregnancy Test
1. Timing: Although most pregnancy test kit labels may suggest taking the test as early as 1 day after the missed period, healthcare experts advise that the pregnancy test is more accurate when it is taken 7 to 10 days after your missed period.
2. Read the instructions: Although most pregnancy test kits work the same way, it is important to read and follow the instructions mentioned in the specific kit that you buy for the most accurate results.
This is because the guidelines, including the time it takes for the test to provide results, might change with every brand.
So follow the instructions in the specific kit you buy and read the results within the mentioned duration. Waiting too long may result in inaccurate readings.
3. Check the expiry date: It is important to check the expiry date of the pregnancy kit you are about to use.
This is because the components present in the pregnancy test kit can provide accurate results only for a specific period of time.
If the kit you use is expired, the results have more chances of being inaccurate.
4. First urine of the day: Apart from the day of missed period, it is suggested to take the pregnancy test with the first urine of the day.
This is because the HCG levels in the urine will be concentrated enough to provide accurate results.
5. Avoid intake of excessive fluids: Since it is better to take the pregnancy test with the first urine of the day, it is important to not chug down a lot of fluids the previous day.
This is because, when we consume excessive fluids, we may also feel the urge to pass urine at midnight which can saturate the HCG content in urine leading to inaccurate results.
6. Repeat the test: If you get a negative test result, it is advised to repeat the test the next day or a few days later, especially if you have other pregnancy symptoms.
7. Confirmatory test: Although pregnancy kit tests these days are reliable, it is still advised to take a blood test, also called an HCG test, to confirm pregnancy.
Conclusion
Most pregnant women might have some sort of pregnancy symptoms from their early pregnancy, which makes them want to take the test immediately.
Even though you may feel anxious to wait, you need to take the test only after 7 to 10 days of your missed periods for accurate results.
It is also important to consult with a gynecologist if your test turns out positive for a confirmatory test or scan.
It is also required to visit a doctor if your pregnancy kit results turn out negative but you have one or more of the usual pregnancy symptoms.
For appointments and consultations with the best gynecologist in Chennai, Dr. Deepthi Jammi, contact Jammi Scans at 7338771733.
Chennai women’s clinic is now Jammi Scans
