The pregnancy test

Between fear and hope

It may seem like an eternity to some women. Waiting for the result of the pregnancy test. Hope and fear are very close together. Be it the successful attempt to have a child or the element of surprise of an unplanned or possibly unwanted pregnancy. Women often feel the first symptoms of pregnancy even before they miss their period , such as a tight stomach, tender breasts or the famous morning sickness. But only by means of a test can a pregnancy be detected at an early stage and the first pregnancy symptoms be distinguished from those of the upcoming menstrual period.

How does the urine pregnancy test work?

The test detects the presence of the hormone HCG in the body. This hormone is responsible for sustaining the pregnancy and is only produced in the placenta and the fetus during pregnancy. The hormone is detectable in the urine. Therefore, the pregnancy test is carried out with its help.

When can I test myself for pregnancy?

The rapid test for at home is useful from the first day after the missed period. Before that, the concentration of the hormone in the body may still be too low and the test result could be falsified, i.e. the pregnancy may not be indicated. Fourteen days after fertilization, which takes place roughly in the middle of the cycle – i.e. on the 12th to 14th day of the cycle – the test will show a reliable result. Early pregnancy tests, which can detect small amounts of HCG just 10 days after intercourse, are unfortunately all too often inaccurate and give the woman a false sense of security.

How do I use the pregnancy test correctly?

It is best to use the morning urine for the pregnancy test, because this is where the concentration of the hormone is highest and therefore the detection is most likely. In principle, however, the test can be carried out at any time of the day. The easiest way to carry out the rapid test is to collect the urine in a clean and dry container and then hold the test strip or test stick in it. Then it’s time to exercise patience. Depending on the manufacturer of the test, it may take a minute or two to get a pregnant or not pregnant result.

The test gives a positive result. Pregnant, now what? Then congratulations! The probability that the test result incorrectly indicates a pregnancy is extremely low. Of course, you should not smoke during pregnancy and not drink alcohol during pregnancy. Don’t lift heavy and start taking folic acid to give your child the best chance of development. A blood test by the doctor can also confirm the pregnancy. This can be carried out as early as one week after fertilization, i.e. before the menstrual period stops. From about the sixth week of pregnancy, the pregnancy can also be seen through an ultrasound by a gynaecologist.

The pregnancy test shows that you are not pregnant: You then have to either keep trying or “I was lucky”, depending on whether you wanted to be pregnant or not. However, if the test was taken too early, it is possible that an existing pregnancy may not have been reported because the hormone concentration was still too low. So if the rule still doesn’t appear, test again later to be sure and to gain certainty. If the test still gives you a negative test result, it is definitely better to go to your trusted gynecologist.

However the test affects you, you must deal with the situation and decide which path will be right for you.

[Please note: Our items cannot replace the advice of a doctor. If you have health problems, please always consult a doctor you trust!]