Earliest Pregnancy Test Types

Importantly, when a test is positive for pregnancy, it is always advisable to consult a gynaecologist for not only confirming the pregnancy authoritatively but also to seek qualified expert advice.

The tests of yesteryears consumed a lot of time in providing a determination of pregnancy. Hence, most women wouldn't even know their status until they were well into their mid life pregnancy. However, current times have seen rapid advances in medical science with tests that are quick and accurate in results.

These tests can be used at an early stage of potential pregnancy to produce results that are either positive or negative for pregnancy. In fact, the earliest pregnancy test can be used to detect pregnancies immediately after the first missed period. This earliest pregnancy test is essentially of two types viz., blood test and urine test. Both tests involve measuring presence of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or hCG. The hormone hCG is also called pregnancy hormone since it is produced when embryo is developing.

The first earliest pregnancy test viz., the blood test measures the levels of hCG in the blood. It produces results that are not only qualitative but also quantitative. A qualitative result provides either a positive or negative confirmation for pregnancy. On the other hand, a quantitative test also measures the quantity or amount of hCG in the blood. hCG is measured in thousandths of International Units, or mIU. This earliest pregnancy test can detect very low levels of hCG and hence, is very sensitive and accurate. This is helpful in pinpointing the actual timeline of the onset of pregnancy. Additionally, a determination is also possible if the pregnancy is progressing in a healthy manner. The second earliest pregnancy test viz., urine test adopts a different approach and measures the presence of hCG in the urine stream. This is done through either dipstick or urine cup collection methods.

Both earliest pregnancy test methods generate results quickly as compared to earlier times. In fact, the urine earliest pregnancy test generates the results in a matter of minutes. The urine earliest pregnancy test is also more preferred by women intending to know their pregnancy status since it provides obvious benefits like simplicity of the test, quickness of results, the privacy it provides and inexpensive cost. Additionally, the urine earliest pregnancy test can be performed by any woman without needing expert help at home; hence, it is also referred to as home pregnancy test [HPT].

Over and above the two methods discussed above, there is also a third earliest pregnancy test called rosette inhibition assay for early pregnancy factor (EPF). This earliest pregnancy test can detect pregnancy within 48 hours of fertilization. However, this method is very expensive, time consuming and it can not be done at home.

Importantly, when a test is positive for pregnancy, it is always advisable to consult a gynaecologist for not only confirming the pregnancy authoritatively but also to seek qualified expert advice.