There are a lot of options when it comes to pregnancy testing. You can go to the doctor or buy a home pregnancy test kit and with both of these options you still have choices.

Blood and Urine Tests

If you go to the doctor, he’s either going to do a blood or urine pregnancy test, usually the one you request. Although the blood test is more accurate, it is also more expensive. For a pregnancy test comparison, there are 2 different pregnancy blood tests.

One is called a qualitative blood test and it checks for the pregnancy hormone, hCG. If it is present, the test is positive for pregnancy. If the hormone isn’t present then the test is negative.

The other blood test is called a quantitative blood test and it checks the amount of hCG present. While the above example will result in a positive or negative pregnancy test, this test will measure exactly how much hCG is present which can aid the doctor in determining several things such as whether it is a single or a multiple pregnancy.

Fertility Drugs

Women who take fertility drugs that contain hCG might want the quantitative blood test so they can be sure the hCG found isn’t the hCG already in their system.

Now, as a pregnancy test comparison, let’s look at the home pregnancy test kits which are of course, urine pregnancy tests. Again, the key is the ability to detect hCG in the woman’s urine. In this case, the hCG can be there and the woman can be pregnant but if the home pregnancy test isn’t sensitive enough to detect the amount of hCG in the urine, the result will be negative.

A pregnancy test comparison study was done and a report made by Consumer Reports who tested 18 home pregnancy test kits and found that only one, First Response will detect a small amount of hCG, as little as 6.5 mIU while EPT, the first home pregnancy test on the market in 1978 cannot detect amounts smaller than 40 mIU. The five least sensitive home pregnancy tests, which were not named, will detect hCG at 100 mIU. As you can see, because the sensitivity to the pregnancy hormone is quite varied among the different pregnancy test kits the results can be quite varied as well.

Pregnancy test comparison studies take more into account than just the level of hCG that can be detected but in the study mentioned this did seem to be the deciding factor. However, also taken into consideration in the pregnancy test comparison were reliability, ease of use, and the ability to read the results without confusion. If you think you are pregnant or learn that you are see your doctor as soon as possible.

Almost every home pregnancy test kit advertises on the box that it is over 99% accurate and then there’s small print underneath it that says something about the pregnancy hormone and how every woman is different. Sound familiar? Pregnancy test accuracy is not hard to understand and every woman who uses one of these tests should make it a point to understand.

The truth is unless one of these tests malfunctions they are all accurate as to what they can detect at the time they are administered. It is true that not all home pregnancy tests are created equally and the pregnancy test accuracy rating of each may be slightly different. Some of them are more sensitive than others and can detect the pregnancy hormone, hCG in smaller amounts than other home pregnancy tests.

Pregnancy Test Accuracy

For example, the First Response home pregnancy test kit as reported by Consumer Reports can detect levels of hCG as small as 6.5 thousandths of an International Unit (6.5 mIU) That puts this test in a class all by itself as the next lowest level that can currently be detected by a home pregnancy test is 25 mIU. Some of the home pregnancy tests are not designed to detect hCG below 100 mIU.

Unfortunately, not all of the home pregnancy test kits will advertise the sensitivity level of their tests. While only a few will advertise the levels, you can find this information online for almost all of the home pregnancy test kits on the market. Some of the brands have more than one sensitivity level.

Sensitivity Ratings

For example, the Equate home pregnancy test kit, which is Wal-Mart’s store brand, has two different home pregnancy test kits, one that can detect hCG levels as low as 25 mIU and another kit that is unable to detect hCG levels under 100 mIU. That gives the consumer a choice because there are times when a woman might not want the most sensitive home pregnancy test.

Pregnancy test accuracy is often misunderstood when it comes to the home pregnancy test because if a woman purchases one brand of home pregnancy test and her pregnancy test is negative and then she purchases another brand 2 or 3 days later and gets a positive result, she will likely blame the discrepancy on the first home pregnancy test not realizing that the test was accurate for the time it was taken because she had little or no hCG in her system.

The pregnancy hormone hCG is produced by the placenta after it attaches itself to the uterine wall which happens a few days after conception and happens at a different time for each woman. Until this event happens, no pregnancy test is going to detect hCG because there will be none to detect. So while most pregnancy test accuracy studies show they are accurate for the time they are taken women who don’t understand this concept think they are not accurate.

It’s typical for a woman to want to take a pregnancy test as soon as she suspects she might be pregnant but doing so could actually cause more confusion and take longer to get an accurate result.

Even though many of the home pregnancy tests advertise that you can perform them days before you even miss a period, once you understand how these tests work, you’ll see why that might not be the best idea.

hCG

There is a pregnancy hormone called hCG which the placenta produces after the embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. The detection of this hormone is what causes a pregnancy test to be positive. The different home pregnancy tests each have a different sensitivity to this hormone and so each pregnancy test is able to detect it at different levels.

As the embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall several days after conception it is not going to be at the same time with every woman. Furthermore, sometimes attached embryos dislodge for unknown reasons, perhaps because they just aren’t equipped to grow and thrive and consequently they are eliminated through the menstrual cycle.

So it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test result and then for the embryo to detach and the menstrual cycle to begin which does happen and the woman is often left thinking the test was inaccurate when in reality it was accurate.

Why a False Negative

Another pregnancy test result is when the woman gets a negative result because the embryo hasn’t attached itself yet and the hCG hasn’t entered the woman’s system. If the test isn’t repeated again once the embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall, it may be sometime before the woman learns that she is indeed pregnant.

Therefore, it is much better to wait until you have missed your period and for at least a few days after that so that you can get an accurate result. No pregnancy test can detect what is not there and our bodies are not going to make the hormone faster just because technology has advanced so much.

We can avoid a lot of heartache by being patient in the first place. Even if you do take the test before you even miss your period, you will likely have to repeat it. As a false positive is rare, more often than not, you may get a false negative because the hCG hasn’t been detected yet and you will then still wonder if you could be pregnant and so you will want to repeat the test in a few days.

By waiting in the first place to take that first pregnancy test you will save yourself a lot of heartache and frustration.

Different women may have different experiences during their pregnancy. In fact, according to experts, a woman may have different experiences during each of her own pregnancies. Pregnancy symptoms often vary from one pregnancy to another, making each pregnancy a very unique experience in itself. If you are carrying a baby for the first time, it is very important for you to learn more about pregnancy symptoms to help you cope with the many changes in your body especially during the first trimester. To help you deal with pregnancy symptoms here are some tips for you.

Morning And Evening Sickness

One of the most common pregnancy symptoms that women experience during the first trimester of their pregnancy is morning or evening sickness. Most pregnant women have that overwhelming feeling that they want to throw up every morning when they get out of bed. On the other hand, some women feel too tired at the end of the day that they simply must hit the bed or fall flat on their faces. If you are one of those pregnant women who feel this way every morning or evening, do not be alarmed. Morning or evening sickness is a normal reaction of your body to hormonal changes brought about by pregnancy. In most cases, you will feel better after you have a light breakfast so make sure that you eat something in the morning. How long will this morning or evening sickness last? Most morning or evening sicknesses that are related to pregnancy continue during the first trimester of pregnancy. When you hit the fourth month of your pregnancy, the morning or evening sickness will go away. According to experts, pregnant women usually experience a spurt of energy when they reach the second trimester of their pregnancy.

Sensitivity To Odor And Taste Of Food

Sensitivity to odor and taste of food are common pregnancy symptoms. During the first trimester of their pregnancy, most pregnant women cannot really stand the smell of food even if these foods used to be their favorites before they get pregnant. The smell of onions and spices are especially offensive to pregnant women. If you are one of those pregnant women who feel nauseated at the slightest smell of food don’t despair, this type of pregnancy symptom won’t last forever. In most cases, this pregnancy symptom will go away after the first trimester of your pregnancy and you can start eating your favorite foods again.

Have you recently become pregnant? You’re probably wondering what’s next. Well this will be an experience like no other, even if you have been pregnant before. You know that no two pregnancies are alike. However, almost all pregnancies go through the same stages of pregnancy. There are three pregnancy stages that last about thirteen weeks each. Here is an idea of what to expect.

First Trimester

The first of the three pregnancy stages is the first trimester. The first trimester consist of the first 13 weeks of pregnancy and is the most important time. This is the time where the baby will develop vital organs and begin to grow. It is during this time, the baby has the biggest opportunity to develop complications. You may need to alter some current habits, like begin taking prenatal vitamins, cut down on caffeine and alcohol, and ensure you are eating healthy. During the first trimester, you will probably get early pregnancy symptoms, like morning sickness, you may find you are urinating a lot and are easily fatigued. Of course, there are other symptoms not included above and some people may experience all symptoms or none. Remember, everyone is different. Make sure to schedule a doctor’s visit right away; it is important to start taking care of you and the baby as soon as possible to help insure a healthy baby.

Second Trimester

The second of the three stages of pregnancy is the second trimester. The second trimester consists of weeks fourteen through twenty-six of pregnancy and is a great time. Your morning sickness has probably subsided and now you probably have begun to feel the baby move. You may experience other discomforts like back pain or headaches, but this is normal. You may have taken on the physical appearance of a woman who is pregnant and not just one who has gained weight. You will find that you body really begins to experience change as the baby grows in your uterus. The baby’s bones will begin to get harder and many other exciting new developments appear during this trimester.

Third Trimester

Finally, the third of the pregnancy stages is the third trimester. The final trimester consists of the last weeks of your pregnancy. During this time you are probably feeling anxious and ready to have your baby. You probably have mixed emotions from the joy of having a baby to questioning your ability to raising a child. You’re probably hoping your baby is healthy. Your baby’s development has slowed and all vital organs are completed.

If you’re like many first time moms, you likely have endless pregnancy questions that you want answered. While your doctor can help with some (many women bring a list of questions with them to each appointment), you can’t call your doctor every time you have a question. And you can ask your mom or friends some questions, but others seem far too personal. So where do you turn? Many women turn to the Internet to ask all of their pregnancy questions.

Asking Pregnancy Questions Online

There are countless websites where you can ask questions about your pregnancy. Popular sites such as ivillage.com and babycenter.com have a storehouse of information. Most have sections with articles that answer many frequently asked questions (FAQs) about pregnancy. Many questions can be quickly answered in this way. There are also message boards where members can post questions that they may have. On some websites, a doctor answers questions about pregnancy; on other websites the community members answer questions. You can also see if your doctor, insurance carrier or local hospital has online office hours. A new trend has some doctors hosting questions and answer chats in the evenings where patients can ask quick questions that they want answered by a doctor, but don’t really need a full appointment. If your doctor’s office offers this service, it is one of the best places to go to find answers online for your pregnancy questions.

Perils Of Misinformation

Like any subject, with as much good information there is on the Internet, there is also a great deal of misinformation as well. Pregnancy and childbirth are no different. So if you are asking your pregnancy questions online, be careful with the answers you receive. If you are looking it up on a reputable site, and the information is contained in an article written by a doctor, you can be fairly certain that the information is accurate. But when you are asking your pregnancy questions on a message board or forum, there is no guarantee of the knowledge or experience level of the person who is answering your questions. Other pregnant women or moms, who are simply sharing their own experiences or second hand information, may not necessarily have accurate answers. And while their advice might have originally come from a doctor, what worked for them might not work for you. If you’re not sure that the advice you are getting is valid, follow your instincts and call your doctor. Also be aware of who is writing articles that you are reading. On user-written sites such as wikipedia, it is hard to tell if the information comes from a medical professional or is simply the writer’s own experience.

Maternal massage, or pregnancy massage, is a technique that has been employed by massage therapists for some time now as a way of relieving the stress and discomfort that is often associated with pregnancy and even labor and delivery. Science has proven that when the body is relaxed, there is less of a chance of the pain and discomfort of pregnancy and delivery being great, so it is in the benefit of mothers to be all over to check into pregnancy massage and see in what ways it can benefit them.

What Pregnancy Massage Can Do For You

The touch of other human beings is one thing that people naturally crave. Those who are never touched by other people tend to be stressed and distressed people. During pregnancy women feel even more stress and discomfort than they would at any other time and this is where pregnancy massage can come into play. It can help to lower the stress level and bring relaxation and pleasure to a pregnant woman, something that is even more important to a woman bearing child than anybody else.

Studies have also shown that women who underwent pregnancy massage during the time they were carrying their child have easier labor and delivery, with a shorter time period in labor and less pain during labor as well. This is because pregnancy massage helps to strengthen and make pliable the tissue in the abdomen and the rest of the body, making for a smoother birthing process.

Is Pregnancy Massage the Same As Regular Massage?

While pregnancy massage is very much like the traditional massage techniques out there, it is not necessarily always the exact same thing. There are special tables for pregnant women that minimize the risk of damage to the fetus or injury to the mother. These days, massage therapists are specially trained in pregnancy massage as a niche all in itself.

Do They Have to Be a Professional?

One does not have to be a professional in order to perform pregnancy massage, but they should be trained or knowledgeable in what they are doing. If you want, your partner can perform the pregnancy massage on you using some lotion or oil, after being trained and shown in just how do to go about the massage, for best results. Pregnancy massage is a great way for you and your partner to bond before having a baby, and a great way to get them involved in your pregnancy.

Many women are already aware of the difficulty of labor. Many first time mothers have been told to expect some pain during pregnancy labor but the actual pain when you experience pregnancy labor is nowhere near the pain you expect. Some women sail right through their pregnancy labor pains and get back on their feet right after the delivery. Other women, on the other hand, are downed by the pain of pregnancy labor. It is really very painful for others as not all deliveries go as well as we hope for.

The Experience of Pregnancy Labor

The first sign that you may be nearing your birth date is when the baby goes low or “drops” into the birth canal. This usually happens 2-3 weeks before you give birth so you have a pretty good notion of when it will be. Not all women experience this so this does not mean that you will not give birth if the baby does not drop into place.

Pregnancy labor may be heralded by the breaking of the amniotic sac but sometimes, the amniotic sac breaks while you are already undergoing labor. Once you amniotic sac has broken and a thin odorless liquid has gushed out, pregnancy labor is imminent. Breathing classes and Lamaze classes can help you concentrate less on pregnancy labor and more on the task at hand, giving birth.

Pregnancy labor usually starts as a dull cramp very similar to menstrual cramps. The only difference is that pregnancy labor cramps increase in tenor as your cervix dilate to accommodate the baby’s birth. These craps will turn into labor pains or contractions soon enough and you can be sure that you will be giving birth in a short time after.

Stages Of Labor

The first stage of pregnancy labor starts when you experience your initial labor cramps which turn into contractions. The first stage ends when you have a fully dilated cervix, around 10 centimeters. The second stage of pregnancy labor is when you are giving birth to the baby and the third stage involves the delivery of the placenta or what is called the after birth.

Labor may seem daunting at first but women have evolved to bear it and cope with the pain and the stress that goes with it. The happiness tat is felt upon seeing the baby is greater than the pain of pregnancy labor. Usually, when you have your second delivery through normal childbirth, the labor is not as tedious or as long as your initial one.

Getting pregnant is an exciting time in your life, especially when you are pregnant for the very first time. This is when you get all of the pregnancy information that you need to be as healthy as you can possibly be, and take the best care of your body that you can for both you and your baby.

Getting the Information You Need

Where can you get the information that you need about pregnancy if you decide to become pregnant or find out that you are pregnant? The best place to start is definitely your doctor's office or pregnancy clinic. They are the ones who specialize in all of the ins and outs of having a baby and they can provide you with the most reliable pregnancy information possible.

What is There to Know?

For first time mothers, there is a lot to know as far as what to do, what to eat, how often to go to the doctor, what to expect, so on and so forth. There are many reasons that it is important for you to be as informed as you possibly can, to make sure that both you and your child are as healthy during your pregnancy as you can possibly be. This has to do with putting the right things into your body as far as food goes and taking the wrong things out of your body, as far as everything else is concerned. This includes smoking, alcohol, sugary or fatty foods, and other unhealthy habits that people tend to indulge themselves in.

In addition, it is important to know what you need to do as far as exercise goes. The amount of exercise that should be done as well as the type of exercise to do has to do with the state of yoru pregnancy and how healthy you and the baby are, as well as how healthy you are, how far along you are, and a number of other things. Without seeking the appropriate pregnancy information it can be hard to determine what is safe and what is not safe to do, eat, and take part in.

Seek Professional Help

If you are not sure what to do or exactly how to go about taking the best care of you and your baby that you possibly can, you should definitely consider seeking the help of a counselor or somebody who has been there before. There is more to pregnancy than getting checked up by the doctor and stocking up on books and other pregnancy information. Pregnancy information is plentifully available to anyone who needs it, but make sure that the information applies to you and is good, sound advice.

You can find out the sex of your baby early on by taking a pregnancy gender test which you can order online for $275. This relatively new technology is easy to use according to the website and it promises accurate results or it will refund your money.

Mail in Blood Test

You order the pregnancy gender test online and when you get it you send in a blood sample and within a couple of days you can get your results from the lab. You have to be very careful how you collect your blood sample as it cannot be contaminated and the website states you are not to get any assistance from a male.

The way the pregnancy gender test reportedly works is that the baby’s DNA is contained in the mother’s blood and by submitting a sample the lab can check for X or Y chromosomes. That is why they do not want a male to assist as they don’t want to take a chance on getting any male DNA in the sample.

Five Weeks after Conception

This pregnancy gender test is called the Baby Gender Mentor Home DNA Gender Testing Kit and according to the website it can determine the sex of your baby as early as five weeks after conception.

The website states that while they are aware that women can find out the sex of their babies through an ultra sound they are not always accurate and you have to wait until about the 18th week to find out.

The pregnancy gender test is only $25 for the kit but it is $250 for the lab test. After you get your kit, you must register it online at the lab’s website before you send in your sample. You can watch a video online and there is written instructions in the kit you are sent.

If you have had in vitro fertilization you can still take the test but it must be 7 weeks past conception and you have to inform the lab about the IVF.

If you are carrying twins and you already know it, the lab wants you to tell them. The way the results come back are male, female or Twins, male, female or both.

For those who want to know the gender of their baby before birth this method may be what they have been looking for. If you choose to participate in this, follow all instructions and if your baby is not the gender they tell you it will be, you can get a refund.