A pregnancy test may determine whether you are expecting by detecting a particular hormone in your blood or urine. Human chorionic gonadotropin is described as the pregnancy hormone. After a fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining, the placenta produces HCG. Only pregnant women produce it. 

After a week of not having your period, the HCG hormone may be detected in a urine pregnancy test. One may take the test in a doctor’s office or at home with a kit. 

Considering the similarity of pregnancy tests, many women prefer a pregnancy test at home. 

The accuracy of home pregnancy tests is between 97 and 99 percent when used correctly.

• Blood tests can detect pregnancy as early as 6-8 days after ovulation.
• Ultrasound is sometimes used to confirm multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets.
• Urine tests can sometimes give false negatives if taken too early or improperly.
• Amniocentesis can also assess fetal lung maturity in later pregnancy stages.
• Chorionic villus sampling provides genetic information earlier than amniocentesis.
• hCG hormone levels can be used to monitor potential risks like ectopic pregnancy.
• Some advanced ultrasounds can detect minor facial or limb anomalies in the fetus.

Fetal age and weight may be compared using ultrasound, as can the location of the placenta and the quantity of amniotic fluid. Ultrasound can detect and diagnose specific birth problems, including neural tube anomalies. 

When calculating the weight of a fetus, some doctors turn to ultrasound technology. Unless several criteria and scans are reviewed, this is not a very reliable measurement. The size of one’s head is often measured in terms of circumference. 

But it’s not right when a mother has gestational diabetes since the infants just put on additional weight.

Ultrasound may be done at various points during the pregnancy course. These include; 

This is performed within the first three months of pregnancy. It ensures that the embryo develops inside a womb rather than in a fallopian tube. For example, it roughly confirms the number of embryos, total gestational age, and the due date of the baby’s birth. 

This is performed between 18 and 20 weeks of gestation. Ultrasound detects the normal development of the baby’s spine, limbs, brain, and other internal organs at this stage. It also checks the location and size of the placenta and confirms the baby’s sex if parents demand to know. 

This is performed after 30 weeks of gestation and detects if the baby is growing at a normal rate. It checks the location of the placenta and ensures that it isn’t blocking the cervix. 

This test detects a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin in urine. It is known as a home pregnancy test and can be performed right after a day after your first missed period. If this hormone is present in your urine, you are pregnant and vice versa. 

These HCG levels rise rapidly in the first 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy. They peak when a woman is 10 weeks pregnant and decline afterwards. This type of urine test is often sold in kits and can be performed easily. 

It does not aim at detecting the levels of HCG hormone. The simple presence of this hormone in urine detects that you are pregnant. 

Blood tests are often not preferred to diagnose pregnancy because they are expensive and give the same outcomes as a urine test. A blood sample is taken and analyzed in a laboratory. The results can be taken a few hours later or within a day. An appropriate blood test detects the body’s presence and quantity of pregnancy hormones. 

This test is performed on special occasions, like if the woman has infertility treatment. Or when their health care provider detects any problem. 

This test is more sensitive than a urine test. It detects the small amount of pregnancy hormone called HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). So, this test gives results on early pregnancy, like within 9 to 12 days after conception.

This blood test is also used to compare the levels of HCG during conception. These HCG levels often get doubled every two days in the first trimester. 

So, if these levels do not rise, it shows a problem. Very high levels of HCG suggest there are chances of twins or complications. 

During this process, a small amount of amniotic fluid is taken using a needle and inserted through the abdomen. Ultrasound guides the needle insertion at the right location. This fluid sample comprises cells examined in the laboratory to check chromosomal abnormalities. 

The normal values of this test are 98 and 99 out of 100, and the changed values show pregnancy complications like a miscarriage. 

In this process, a needle is inserted through the abdomen or cervix to take a small placenta sample. Ultrasound guides the right location of the needle. The fluid is then measured in the laboratory to check chromosomal abnormalities. 

It shows minimal risk of miscarriage, as around one in 100. Perform these pregnancy tests on time to avoid complications,

It’s wise to confirm your concerns about pregnancy with a simple test. Prenatal care is required if you get pregnant. The earliest stages of pregnancy that home pregnancy tests may detect might vary. A positive result from a home pregnancy test is possible as early as ten days after fertilization. 

Waiting until you’ve missed your period to take a test will give you a more reliable result. Do not forget that a positive pregnancy test may not appear if taken too early.

So, take another test or talk to your doctor if you don’t have periods after a negative result.