Pregnancy Test
Dr.Sreelekha DaruvuriLast Updated on 28th October 2021Table of contents
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What is a Pregnancy Test Used For?
A pregnancy test is used for identifying the hormone called hCG. The hCG can be found in urine as well as in the blood.
What is included in a Pregnancy Test?
Blood tests and urine tests are the two common types of pregnancy tests.
- Blood test: Blood tests are not as common as the urine test. However, the detection of pregnancy is early in the blood test. There are two types of blood tests and they are a quantitative hCG test and a quantitative hCG test.
- A qualitative hCG test: This test is a simple test where the result is either yes or no. The test can confirm pregnancy as early as 10 days after conception.
- A quantitative hCG test: In this test, the exact amount of hCG is calculated. This test is also helpful in detecting other health problems during pregnancy. Chemical pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy can be detected with the help of a quantitative hCG test.
- Urine test: This is a home pregnancy test that is private, convenient, quick, and easy to use.
Pregnancy Test Procedure
Urine Test | Blood Test |
Hold the stick along the urine stream/dip the stick in a cup where the urine is collected/use 2-3 drops of urine. Wait for the mentioned time and check for a second red line on the stick.
If there are two red lines, then please consult the doctor to confirm the test results. |
A blood sample is collected from the vein just like any other blood test. Then the collected sample is further analysed.
If the test is a qualitative hCG test, then the report will be in yes or no. If the test is a quantitative hCG test, then the report will have the exact amount of hCG present in the body. |
How to Prepare for a Pregnancy Test?
Before test | During test |
Use the first-morning urine for the test. This is required because the morning urine has more hCG, therefore, there are high chances of getting an accurate result.
Do not overload yourself with fluids as it may dilute the urine. Follow the instructions before taking the test. |
Use a timer. This is to make sure that you are not reading the result a minute earlier or late than what is prescribed.
Use a cup. Most of the home pregnancy test kits recommend directly using the stick in your urine stream. It is perfectly fine to use a cup to avoid mess. |
Things to consider after the Pregnancy Test is completed.
If the test result is positive, make an appointment with the doctor to confirm the results. Apart from that, having a healthy diet, regular exercises, staying hydrated and quitting smoking and alcohol are some of the lifestyle changes that need to be incorporated.
If the test result is negative, do not panic. Consult your doctor and try to understand what went wrong if you were planning to conceive.
What Type of Infections can a Pregnancy Test Detect?
Usually, when a pregnancy test is done, the levels of hCG can be detected either through a blood test or urine test. During a blood test, the hCG can be detected after 10 days of conception. While in urine test, the hCG is detected after 12-14 days of conception. However, during the pregnancy test, there are chances for false-positive results and this can be due to the following reasons.
- Urinary tract infections: The false positive pregnancy test is obtained when there is a serious urinary tract infection.
- Ectopic pregnancy: In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg travels and does not get attached to the uterus. Instead, it gets attached to the fallopian tube, cervix, or abdominal cavity. This results in a false positive as the embryo still produces hCG. This is a medical emergency.
- Chemical pregnancy and Post Abortion: A few weeks after Abortion and chemical pregnancy, Beta HCG becomes false positive.
- Fertility treatment: During fertility treatment, there are chances of getting a false positive. If the pregnancy test is taken within 7-14 days after fertility treatment, there are high chances of false positives.
- Tumours: Such as paraneoplastic syndrome, trophoblast tumours also secrete beta hCG, leading to false-positive results.
How much does the Pregnancy Test Cost?
The cost of a pregnancy test may vary from city to city. However, the price may be between ₹100 and ₹250. From the below table, you can book the test:
City Name | Starting Price |
Book Pregnancy Test in Bangalore | ₹ 112.5 |
Book Pregnancy Test in Delhi | ₹ 154 |
Book Pregnancy Test in Kolkata | ₹ 190 |
Book Pregnancy Test in Chennai | ₹ 240 |
Book Pregnancy Test in Mumbai | ₹ 210 |
Book Pregnancy Test in Hyderabad | ₹ 72 |
Book Pregnancy Test in Noida | ₹ 154 |
Book Pregnancy Test in Gurgaon | ₹ 154 |
Book Pregnancy Test in Pune | ₹ 152 |
How long does it take to get Pregnancy Test Results?
The test results will be updated on the MFine app within the next 24-48 hours after the test sample is collected.
Is the Pregnancy Test Definitive?
Most of the time, home pregnancy tests are accurate when the given instructions are followed. However, getting either a blood test or a urine test to confirm the pregnancy is recommended.
How to Read the Pregnancy Blood Test Report?
The pregnancy blood test report is given in milli-international units per millilitre (mUI/mL). During pregnancy, the hCG level rises in the first trimester and then slowly declines.
The normal levels of hCG in:
- Non-pregnant women: Less than 5 mUI/mL
- Healthy men: Less than 2 mUI/mL
Weeks | Unit (mUI/mL) |
3 weeks | 5-72 |
4 weeks | 10-708 |
5 weeks | 217-8,245 |
6 weeks | 152-32,177 |
7 weeks | 4,059-1,53,767 |
8 weeks | 31,366-1,49,094 |
9 weeks | 59,109-1,35,901 |
10 weeks | 44,186-1,70,409 |
12 weeks | 27,107-2,01,165 |
14 weeks | 24,302 – 93,646 |
15 weeks | 12,540 – 69,747 |
16 weeks | 8,904 – 55,332 |
17 weeks | 8,240 – 51,793 |
18 weeks | 9,649 – 55,271 |
Why book Pregnancy Test
- With the Covid-19 situation outside, it is advisable not to step outside and be a fear of getting infected with the virus. Instead, get the pregnancy test done at your doorstep.
- Also, a blood test is always better than a urine test to confirm the pregnancy.
Where to get the Pregnancy Test done?
Book Pregnancy Test online from certified lab partners in your city through the MFine app and get the test done at home.
Certified Lab Partners of MFine for Pregnancy Test
How to avail Pregnancy Test
For further assistance
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
What are the bad signs during early pregnancy?
The following is a list of symptoms that could be normal during pregnancy, however, if these symptoms persist longer, then it needs to be addressed:
- Ectopic pregnancy: Even during an ectopic pregnancy, hCG is present in the urine as well as in the blood. However, the amount of hCG is very low.
- Persistent abdominal pain: Abdominal pain or discomfort in the pelvic region is common. It is due to the growing of the womb as the muscles and ligaments are getting pulled. However, if this pain is persistent along with other symptoms such as bleeding, cramping, swollen hands, legs, and feet, then please visit your doctor.
- Urge to pee: If the urge to pee has increased and you experience a burning sensation while peeing, it could be a sign of a UTI. Other symptoms of UTI are blood-tinged urine, fever, pain in the lower tummy. However, during the first trimester, frequent peeing is common.
- Vaginal bleeding: Vaginal bleeding or spotting in the early stages of pregnancy is known as implantation. However, if the bleeding continues or more bleeding, it could be a cervical infection.
- Dizziness: In the second trimester, feeling light-headed is normal. This happens as progesterone is highly active in the body. If the dizziness continues along with blurred vision, vaginal bleeding, pain in your abdomen, please consult your doctor.
What are the symptoms of a 4 weeks pregnancy?
Remember, every mother undergoes a unique experience. However, here is a list of possible symptoms of 4-week pregnancy:
- Bloated stomach: Bloating of the stomach is common as your body is making space for the growing baby. The uterine line gets thicker and there will also be swelling.
- Breast tenderness: Even the breasts are preparing themselves for nourishing the new being. The number of mammary/milk glands will increase along with the fat layer. This results in enlargement of the breasts.
- Morning sickness: You do not need to feel nauseated only in the morning. In your 4 week pregnancy, it can happen at any time of the day.
- Light coloured discharge: The increased vaginal discharge is normal during the pregnancy. Usually, the discharge is white, clear, and sticky. If you notice any bad odour along with itchiness, please consult your doctor.
- Light bleeding: Spotting is common in most pregnant women within 3-4 weeks of missed period. This is known as implantation bleeding. However, if the bleeding or spotting lasts for more than 2 days, please consult your doctor.
Can we conduct pregnancy at home?
Yes, the test can be done at home.
Are there any risks involved in pregnancy tests?
If you are doing a urine test, then there is no risk involved.
If you are doing a blood test, then you might experience a bruise or pain at the spot from where the blood sample is collected. However, this symptom will go away quickly.
Is there anything else I need to know about the pregnancy test?
Yes, it is important to know that while doing a urine test, the result will be positive when there is hCG present in it. The presence of hCG is an indication of pregnancy. The same hormone is tested in the blood test. However, if the blood test shows a very low amount of hCG, it could be due to ectopic pregnancy, that is, when the pregnancy happens outside the uterus. In such cases, the baby does not develop and it needs to be operated on.
What shows up in urine when pregnant?
A urine test is done at your first prenatal visit and the later visits too. During the urinalysis, tests for sugar, ketones, proteins, blood cells, and bacteria are conducted to make sure that other health conditions such as UTI, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes are not there.
What is the need for me to take a pregnancy test?
Missing periods is considered to be the most common and early symptom of pregnancy. Other signs include:
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Swollen and tender breasts
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloated abdomen
But these symptoms can happen in other conditions too. This test helps in confirming pregnancy.
References:
- Accuracy of home pregnancy test: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4119102/
- Pregnancy testing in clinical trials: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0202474
- Validation of home pregnancy test: https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(03)01135-9/fulltext