Pregnancy tests differ not only in price, but also in the peculiarities of their application. Their task is to detect a specific hormone in a woman's urine - chorionic gonadotropin (CG), which is produced by placenta precursors - trophoblast cells.
The most common home test option is test strips. They can be used from the first day of missed periods. The disadvantage is that the reagent from their composition is susceptible to the highest concentration of CG in urine. Therefore, it is recommended to do them in the morning. And since everyone's morning is different, therefore, in the early stages of pregnancy, there is a high probability of error. The reliability of such a test in the first days of the delay is approximately 80-90%.
Tablet tests are virtually indistinguishable from test strips. The difference is that when using such a test, it is necessary to collect urine using the supplied disposable pipette and drip it into a special window.
The most accurate home pregnancy tests are inkjet tests. They include a different reagent, thanks to which the reliability of such tests increases to 99.8%. In addition, their use is permissible as early as 3-4 days before the date of the onset of menstruation. Another plus of this method is the freedom from the timing, that is, it is not necessary to do the test in the morning. Principle of use: the tip of the test must be placed under the stream of urine for a few seconds.
And yet, when using the test, you must adhere to a few basic rules:
- buy the test only at the pharmacy;
- before purchasing, be sure to check its validity period;
- strictly follow the attached instructions.
Remember that the shorter the period of your missed period, the higher the likelihood of a test error. If in doubt about the result, you can repeat the test after a few days or donate blood for the hCG hormone.
Home pregnancy tests can show the presence of hCG in a woman's body, but do not serve as proof of normal uterine pregnancy. Therefore, if the test showed a positive result, it is imperative to consult a doctor to exclude an ectopic pregnancy.
