Urine test, blood test, standard stick test, home pregnancy test, digital home pregnancy test, rosette inhibition assay, chemical tests, quantitative blood tests, qualitative blood tests, lateral-flow technology and obstetric ultrasonography are some of the best early pregnancy tests.

The history of modern pregnancy testing goes back to the 1930s, when Harry Zwarenstein and Hillel Shapiro discovered a peculiar way in which one could tell if a woman was pregnant. The method involved the Xenopus toad of South Africa and the scientists proved that if these toads were injected with a sample of urine from a woman who was pregnant, they would also start ovulating. The early pregnancy test in those times depended on the export-import of this specific variety of toad.

Needless to say, medical science has come a long way since. While the toads are no longer necessary, the urine and blood testing mechanism has made it easy for women to identify whether or not they should be expecting a child soon. Testing positive in a pregnancy test is one of the most momentous occasions in the life of any individual and her partner. While it may be an accident for some, most couples usually have to try for a span of time before the magic happens. That is why most women tend to be specific about the early pregnancy test, searching the internet and reading articles that may help them find the best early pregnancy test to serve their purpose.

When should you take your early pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests basically test the blood sample or the urine sample of a woman for levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, commonly referred to as hCG. This hormone is secreted by the placenta that is responsible for the nutrition and development of the sperm implanted in the uterus. The spike in hCG in blood is indicative of the formation and function of the placenta, which in turn implies that a woman must be pregnant.

You must keep track of your menstrual cycle, especially when you have planned to conceive. However, make sure that you do not test yourself immediately the day after you miss your period. Give it some time, so the hCG in your blood can come to a level that can be detected by early pregnancy tests. While urine testing can give you the preliminary idea, only a blood test as prescribed by a doctor can actually confirm whether or not you are pregnant. Doctors usually prescribe that the test be taken 11 to 14 days after ovulation.

11 Pregnancy Tests That All Women Should Know About

Here are a few points on the kind of early pregnancy tests a woman can take to determine her condition:

Urine test

With the equipment easily available online, this test brings the early pregnancy test out of the domain of the clinical space and allows the moment to be reserved for the domestic space, however short-lived this privacy may be. This is usually the first step that women take to gauge whether or not they need further confirmation. Moreover, the urine test that helps identify pregnancy is one of the two broad classifications of the kinds of pregnancy tests which exist today.

Blood test

This is the other broad category that allows clinical confirmation of pregnancy by testing the hCG level present in a woman’s blood. This can also be carried out in the early days of pregnancy, making it one of the most full proof early pregnancy tests there is. It gives you legitimate confirmation of your pregnancy and directly involves trained medical professionals who can give you the appropriate diagnosis and detailed information on how far along you are.

Home pregnancy test

When you have the jitters, especially in the case of a first pregnancy, a urine test at home can be the first step in the diagnosis process. Though not the most reliable of tests, this is one of the most convenient options to carry out early pregnancy tests.

Standard stick test

A standard stick test is usually one of the early pregnancy tests that you can buy at any drugstore or order online, without a doctor’s prescription. A standard stick test, of the non-digital kind is a good way to avoid the formalities that one has to go through before a proper clinical test. If you are nervous about the results, this is a good way to ease into things.

Digital home pregnancy test

The wave of digitization has struck the field of early pregnancy testing as well. If you have ever wondered, ‘ how early can I take a pregnancy test’ and which test to opt for, here is yet another option that you may choose to avail.

Rosette inhibition assay

This is the test that is known to give the quickest result after fertilization. The rosette inhibition assay tests for EPF or Early Pregnancy Factor. This is not that common as it is a relatively expensive process.

Chemical tests

All blood and urine tests may be grouped under chemical tests that can give you a result in two weeks from the day of conception. All chemical tests focus on the hCG level in the blood of a woman.

Quantitative blood tests

Quantitative blood tests are early pregnancy test that not only calculates if hCG is present in the blood, but also tells you how far along you are if you are indeed pregnant.

Qualitative blood tests

A qualitative blood test only gives you either a positive or negative result, keeping the results simple to understand.

Lateral-flow technology

Almost all home pregnancy tests are based on lateral flow technology, where the target component that needs to be detected is hCG. Women may be subjected to this to obtain results to one of the best early pregnancy tests.

Obstetric ultrasonography

Finally, sonography is also a way in which you can detect pregnancy, though not in the early days.

Make sure to follow all the instructions given in the manual or directly conveyed to you by a medical professional to make sure that the test does not go awry, botching up the results in the process.

References

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-testing