How precise are those tests?

Question

Mi girlfriend might be pregnant. She would like to have a test made by a doctor, instead of the ones from the drugstore. What are the names of those tests? Which type of doctor should she talk to? Is it a blood test? I would like to know what is the accuracy of those tests. I've heard they can even tell you how long you've been pregnant, but I haven't found any complete information about them. Please help me.

Answer 1

the drugstore ones are just as good. i dont remember how much it cost me for the doctor to do one on me too. but the accuracy on the home test are actually really good from my perspective. if you dont want to take the chance then definately go to a doctor

Answer 2

She would call a gynecologist and make an appointment to come in for a pregnancy test. They are called pregnancy tests.



When pregnant the woman's body secretes a hormone in her urine that can be detected by the over the counter tests or one in the doctors office (he will do the exact same thing as those inexpensive tests). It used to be that the doctors had better tests and could tell sooner; this is no longer the case.

I used an inexpensive test first, then when it was positive I got myself into the doctors office and started taking prenatal vitamins immediately.



The tests are 100% accurate, there is no disputing them. You either have the hormone happening in your body (which increases as time goes on) or you don't, and it only happens when you are pregnant. The only possible error could be if you do it so soon the hormone has not shown up in your body yet. The box tests will tell you on each one how soon it's able to detect the hormone in the urine (how soon to try it after you suspect). The sooner you know the more expensive the test but none are hugely expensive.



Several things can point to how long she's been pregnant, but that will be an educated guess on the part of the doctor only. It's usually not something that happens the same exact night that you have sex but a few days later. No test tells exactly how long you ave been pregnant nor exacty when you will deliver.



If you are wanting to prove it is yours have a DNA test performed once the child is delivered. A tiny scrape of DNA from the baby like off the inside of it's cheek or whatever will be all they'll need.



Tell your girlfriend to take prenatal vitamins NOW, even though she only suspects she might be pregnant. These can avoid some birth defects caused by a lack of nutrients that are needed immediately (birth defects like spina biffida, etc.).

Answer 3

Unless there is a problem the doctor will do a urine test. The ones the doctor have are the same ones you can get in the store. EPT or FIRST RESPONSE are really good ones. The doctor will do a blood test if she does not know the date of her last period or if the ultrasound shows a baby too big or too small for the estimated time of pregnancy. Through a blood test the doctor can tell how far along you are almost to the day because of the hormone HGH, your HGH doubles for every day you are pregnant through the first 3 months before leveling off.

Tell your friend just to take a home pregnancy test. It will save money over going to the doctor's and is just as accurate.

Answer 4

Blood tests are usually 99% accurate, but even OTC urine tests are usually pretty accurate. Pregnancy tests don't determine how pregnant you are, rather only if. There are blood tests which can measure how much pregnancy hormone is in your body, but that's not an accurate method.



Generally, doctors calculate your due date (how long you've been pregnant) from the first day of your last period. Ultrasounds are usually very accurate, but only if done very early, and most doctors don't do dating ultrasounds, only one at 20 weeks.



Here's a really helpful website that will tell you all you ever wanted to know (and more) about pregnancy testing.

Answer 5

The tests at the doctor's office are essentially the same tests you get at a drugstore. Have her go to Planned Parenthood or another walk-in clinic if she does not want to go to her regular doctor. The tests at the store and doctor's office are extremely accurate provided you use them properly. They will not tell you how far along the pregnancy is since this is determined by the last menstruation period. It is not a blood test, but rather a urine test. Good luck.

Answer 6

It's a blood test. She can go to her general doctor, but an ob/gyn is the best choice. She could also go to planned parenthood. The blood test is 100% accurate and can only guess how long your girlfriend has been pregnant.

(The levels of hormones present in her blood rises until about the 12th week and then starts to decline. So the due date is most likely going to be figured out based on her last menstrual period)

Answer 7

The over the counter pregnancy tests are very, very accurate. Like 99% accurate. Any brand will do, clear blue easy , store brand etc.. She needs to take a home pregnancy test first because when she calls the doctor they will most likely ask her if she has done one. They usually don't want to waste there time on a false pregnancy.



She will need to call an OB-GYN if the test is positive. They will do a blood test to confirm she is pregnant on her first office visit.



Tell her to please do the home pregnancy test first.

Answer 8

The drugstore tests are very accurate when taken at least by the day of her missed period. If she goes to planned parenthood, they give the same exact test as the ones you can get at the store. At her doctor, or gyno. she can get a blood test and those are 100% accurate.

Answer 9

if you girlfriend gets a blood test yes they can tell how long she has been pregnant..to a point..on that fact of time frame they usually go by her period....and the accuracy of her being pregnant by a blood test is very accurate..a pee test can fell..but when a woman is pregnant she has a certain hormone in her blood and by how high the number of that hormone is..is how pregnant she is....

Answer 10

she can go see her family doctor or an ob/gyn.



Taking a pregnancy test can be filled with excitement for some people, whereas for others it may be a little intimidating. Before you take a pregnancy test, you might check to see if you are experiencing any pregnancy symptoms. A missed menstrual cycle is the most common symptom leading a woman to take a pregnancy test. Below are several answers to common questions related to taking a pregnancy test. Your purchase supports the APA

How does a test tell if you are pregnant or not?

A pregnancy test detects the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood or in your urine. hCG is produced in the placenta shortly after the embryo attaches to the uterine lining and builds up rapidly in your body in the first few days of pregnancy.



How long do I have to wait before I take a test?

Most doctors recommend that you wait until the first day of your missed period before taking a home pregnancy test. A missed period is usually one of the first signs of pregnancy. This is usually around two weeks after conception. However, some tests are more sensitive (and more expensive) than others and can be taken earlier. Concentrations of hCG are reported in milliInternational Units (mIU) or amounts equal to 1/1000th of an IU per milliliter. A pregnancy test with a sensitivity of 20 IU/L is more sensitive than one with 50 IU/L.



A blood test administered by your doctor is more sensitive than the early home tests and can be taken between seven and twelve days after you conceive. ( It is possible that these tests can be done too early and show a false negative result.) If you receive a negative result and still do not start your period, another test should be done.



How accurate are home tests?

Home tests are very accurate (around 97%) when used correctly. Some kits come with two tests because mistakes do happen.



If you take a test too early, you may get a false negative (when the test says you are not pregnant but you are). Your body needs time for the hormone to rise to a high enough level to be detected in a test. If the test comes back negative but you still think you could be pregnant, wait a few days and try again.



False positives (when the test says you're pregnant but you're not) are possible, but rare. A positive pregnancy test is a pretty good indication that you are pregnant.



http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/takingapregnancytest.html



There are two types of pregnancy tests; one uses a urine sample, the other a sample of blood. Both tests detect the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after the embryo attaches to the uterine lining and builds up rapidly in your body in the first few days of pregnancy. It is this rapid shift in hormones that triggers most of your pregnancy symptoms.



Urine Tests:

There are different types of urine tests, and these can be performed at home or in a clinic. The first type of test involves collecting your urine in a cup and dipping a stick into the urine, or putting urine into a special container with an eyedropper. A second type of test involves placing a stick into your urine stream and catching your urine in midstream.



Tests vary in how long you have to wait to get a result. You will be looking for a change in color, a line, or a symbol (like a plus or minus). A new digital pregnancy test offered by Clearblue Easy makes reading your results simple: the window will either show the words "not pregnant" or "pregnant". You can also get recommended midstream urine tests online: Order my pregnancy test



All tests come with instructions, and it is important that you follow these instructions to get an accurate reading.



When can I take a urine test?

Most doctors recommend that you wait until the first day of your missed period before taking a urine pregnancy test. This is usually about two weeks after conception. However, some tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken earlier.



How accurate are urine tests?

Urine tests or home pregnancy tests are around 97% accurate when done correctly.



Home pregnancy tests are great to use because they can be done at home, they are usually low in cost (anywhere from $7.99 to $19.99), private, they give a fast result, and are easy to use. However, if not done correctly or taken too early, the result can be inaccurate.



If you get a negative result and still have symptoms of pregnancy (missed period, nausea, breast tenderness and fatigue), wait a week and take another test or contact your doctor so you can have a blood test done.



Blood Tests:

There are two types of blood tests. A quantitative blood test measures the exact amount of hCG in the blood, and a qualitative hCG blood test gives a simple yes or no answer to whether you are pregnant or not.



Advantages of having a blood test done:



Can detect a pregnancy earlier than a urine test at about 7-12 days from possible conception ( but if a negative result is received, a test should be repeated if a period is missed.)

Can measure the concentration of hCG hormone in your blood (this is useful information for your healthcare provider in tracking certain problems in pregnancy)

Disadvantages to having a blood test done:



More expensive than a urine test (price depends on cost of doctor's visit and lab fees)

Takes longer to get result

Must be done in a doctor's office

Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Tests:

If I get a positive result on a home pregnancy test, does that mean I am pregnant?

A positive result from a home pregnancy test shows the presence of the hormone hCG in your system. When an egg is implanted in a woman's uterine lining, hCG hormones begin to develop and multiply. This is a sign that you have become pregnant.



If I get a negative result on a home pregnancy test, does that mean I am not pregnant?

A negative result can mean that you are not pregnant, you took the test too early, or you took the test wrong. Pregnancy tests vary in their sensitivity (how soon they can detect the hormone hCG), and you may not have given your body enough time to produce enough hCG hormones that will show up on the test. Also, if you let a test sit for too long (after the instructions on the box tell you), the test is invalid. It is best to follow the instructions and wait until you have missed a period before taking the test. Most pregnancy tests come with two in a box, and it is a good idea to take both.



When is the earliest that I can take a home pregnancy test?

It is recommended that you wait until you have missed a period to take a home test. A missed period is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. If you cannot wait that long to find out and you know the day you may have conceived, then the earliest you can take a test would be 14 days from possible conception.



What if I take a couple of home pregnancy tests and get different answers?

If you have received different answers on multiple pregnancy tests, it is recommended that you get a blood test done to get an accurate answer.



http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/understandpregnancytests.html

Answer 11

the home-tests that u buy at a drug store r 99.9% accurate. they haven't lied in my family so far, or neone i kno.