When you feel the early signs or pregnancy or you think that you have become pregnant, your first desire is to ascertain the status of your pregnancy in a definitively manner. This is not only required for getting the pre-natal care but also to plan for the coming period.  A preliminary test of Pregnancy can be done using a readily available pregnancy kit, which needs to be confirmed by a pregnancy blood test.

Pregnancy is detected by the presence of the pregnancy Hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotpopin) in urine or in blood. The home kit usually contains a strip of paper coated with certain chemicals which when dipped in urine will change color to indicate the presence of the pregnancy hormone.

The second method of pregnancy detection by blood test is usually preferred by doctors and clinics as it gives perfect results. Further the same test can be used for ascertaining other bodily conditions essential for providing medical care in case of a confirmed pregnancy.

Types of Pregnancy Blood Test

Usually pregnancy blood tests are carried over the period of pregnancy after the first confirmation. We can classify the pregnancy blood tests into two – qualitative and quantative. The qualitative test is initially used for confirming pregnancy as it looks only for the presence of the HCG in the blood and give a yes – no answer.

On the other hand quantative test takes into account the amount f HCG in the blood at different stages of pregnancy. These blood tests are repeated at certain intervals during the pregnancy period.  The quantum of HCG in blood helps the doctors to assess the health of the pregnant woman and give necessary medication and case as may be required. The doctor normally prescribed this test when difficulties are faced by the patient during pregnancy to ascertain the root cause of such trouble.

When you first determine that you are pregnant using a home kit by testing your urine, it is important to get your doctor prescribe the blood test for pregnancy not only to confirm your result but also to ensure that your pregnancy remains healthy and you deliver the child safely.

Sometimes it could be baffling for expectant parents to discover that the pregnancy test has been a false alarm.  A deep knowledge about pregnancy tests is desired to understand what goes into these tests, how these are conducted and how accurate are they in determination of pregnancy. It is also important to note that time of the test is also important factor in determining the accuracy of the test results.

How Tests determine pregnancy?

The most reliable way to avoid false pregnancy alarms is by conducting a pregnancy test, though there are instances where tests have failed to indicate pregnancy accurately. However with little precautions, such false alarms or inaccurate test results can be avoided. A little information is required to buy the proper pregnancy test kit and get the right tests done at the right time to prevent false pregnancy test results.

The Home Test kits available with any chemist shop are usually is chemical strips which change color when dipped in urine to indicate pregnancy. These kits usually measure particular type of hormone that doctors term as "Human chorionic gonadotropin" normally call HCG. The quantum of HCG keeps on varying at different stages of pregnancy. Due to this variance, test results using home kits often vary in the early stages of pregnancy. Now you can question what is the best time of phase to conduct a test to avoid false pregnancy test result?

HCG hormone secretion starts with the fertilization of the egg and when the embryo gets planted in the uterus.  Doctors often choose this period for pregnancy test then the fertilization takes place. The period of one week after a missed period is the time when the embryo gets attached with the uterus and is considered to be the best time when a pregnancy test should be done. However, as body structures of all persons are not the same, the HCG production will vary form woman to woman.

Accuracy of Pregnancy Tests

The urine based home kits are mostly used by women at home, but these tests should not be relied upon in entirety. The timing, way of soaking are more often the causes behind the false results shown by these kits?

The blood tests which are usually conducted after two weeks of a missed period are the most reliable and accurate test. Women who experience other pregnancy symptoms even after a negative home test should immediately approach their doctor for conducting a blood test for the final result.