We demystify a pregnancy test for you
Remember the first time you took a pregnancy test? Were you anxious? Excited? Terrified? Optimistic?
As for me, I was in the bathroom, keeping my fingers crossed for a positive result. Even though I was (almost) ready to have a baby, I could imagine an entirely different experience for someone who wasn’t.
Whatever result you’re hoping for, taking a test can be very stressful.
Although this little test can be a life-changing experience, there is a lack of knowledge about how to take a test, what the results mean and the truth of the facts and myths surrounding it.
We’re here to clear up the confusion surrounding pregnancy tests.
Let’s start by tackling the elephant in the room : the most common questions we get about tests…
When can I take a pregnancy test to get accurate results?
When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?
The answer to this question depends on the type of test you use and your menstrual cycle.
It’s important to note that there are two types of pregnancy test: blood pregnancy tests (which are generally taken at the doctor’s) and urine pregnancy tests (which involve peeing on a stick). Both types of test measure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which comes into play rapidly after the first few days of pregnancy.
The urine pregnancy test is more common than the blood pregnancy test, as it can be carried out in the comfort of your own home and is generally less expensive. The urine pregnancy test is generally more accurate three days before the absence of menstruation, or two weeks after conception.
Conversely, the blood pregnancy test can detect smaller amounts of hCG in your blood, which means you can get accurate results sooner (7 to 12 days after conception).
However, although you may be anxious to know the result, hCG levels (which are detected in your urine) increase the longer you wait to take the pregnancy test.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that ovulation isn’t like clockwork, which can affect the time at which hCG can be detected.
This is why the accuracy of pregnancy tests varies from person to person. That’s why we like to take three and wait for the first day of our missed period, and a final one following several days of late period, just in case.
The Plusbaby test pack contains 3 tests so you can do the test twice more. We advise you to repeat the test on the day your period is due and/or on your second late period day.
Will taking the contraceptive pill affect the results of the pregnancy test?
Although home pregnancy tests have been proven to be over 99% accurate, they are not perfect. Incorrect results can occur. Here are a few things that can lead to a false or invalid pregnancy test result:
Lines that appear: every brand is different, so often certain factors can lead to unclear lines that can be mistaken for a positive result. Be sure to read the instructions on your pregnancy test to find out how long to wait to check the result. It’s also important to check the instructions to avoid false negative results, as you may not have waited long enough to see the result of the pregnancy test.
Recent miscarriage or abortion: If you have recently had a miscarriage or abortion, this means that you have recently had high levels of hCG in your urine. Although these levels are decreasing, it is at a slower rate, and it takes an average of 19 days for the hormone to leave your system completely. You could then have a false positive.
Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants somewhere outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes. Unfortunately, ectopic pregnancies do not become normal pregnancies and are instead medical emergencies. That said, it is possible to get a false positive result if you have an ectopic pregnancy, as it always results in high levels of hCG.
User error: We’re only human, after all! A pregnancy test comes with specific instructions. The most common mistakes are: peeing on the wrong side of the absorbent strip, not peeing long enough on the strip, waiting too long to read the results (or not waiting long enough) – the list goes on. Try to take a deep breath before taking the test, read the instructions and if in doubt, take another one.
Does having my period affect the results?
No, not at all! As the test detects the hCG hormone in your urine, it has little to do with your period. What’s more, having your period is a sign that you don’t need to take a pregnancy test.
How do I know if I need to take a test?
If you’re wondering, you probably should. You can’t put a price on peace of mind. Think of it this way: no form of contraception is 100% effective and mistakes can happen. It’s better to find out early and be relieved that you’re not pregnant or to think about what you’re going to do in the future.
Of course, if you haven’t had your period, if your breasts hurt or if you don’t feel like yourself, your body is telling you to take a pregnancy test. This can be scary, which is why we suggest you get into the habit of taking a pregnancy test regularly. It may sound crazy, but as we’ve said, mistakes can happen and you’ll feel much better knowing the result, whatever it is.
Let’s get rid of a few myths, shall we?
If a pregnancy test raises a lot of questions, it’s also the subject of a lot of myths. We’ve decided to shed some light on all the rumours about pregnancy tests and provide the answers women deserve.
Myth no. 1: The result of a pregnancy test is immediately accurate.
We can’t stress enough how invalid this myth is. If your body doesn’t yet realise that it’s carrying a child, how can you expect a stick you urinate on to tell you if you are? It’s very important to wait until you’ve got your period before taking a pregnancy test. Otherwise, your result will probably mean nothing. We know it’s difficult, but hang in there and wait.
Myth 2: The new urine pregnancy test can also confirm the sex of the baby
Although technology is pretty impressive these days, we’re not there yet. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until you’re between 16 and 20 weeks pregnant before your doctor can tell you the sex of your baby.
Myth No. 3: Digital tests are more accurate than non-digital tests.
Once you’ve missed your period, all tests have roughly the same accuracy. Since women have to wait until they’ve missed their period to take a pregnancy test (to avoid a false result), digital tests are no more accurate than non-digital tests, but they are much more expensive.
Myth No. 4: There’s no bad time to take a test
Believe it or not, there is a wrong time to take a pregnancy test. Every woman should wait until she’s missed her period to take a pregnancy test. If you have irregular periods, wait until after the longest menstrual cycle you usually have to take a pregnancy test. It’s also important to consider the time of day when you take the test.
The doctors we spoke to explained that taking a pregnancy test early in the morning avoids the risk of a false result. This is because urine is more concentrated when you wake up before drinking water, making it easier for pregnancy tests to detect hCG.
Myth no. 5: False positives don’t exist
Although not as common as false-negative results, false-positive pregnancy tests do exist. A number of factors can lead to a false positive result, including lines, a previous miscarriage or abortion, and certain medications used to treat infertility.
Myth 6: Stress can cause a false positive result.
Although waiting for your result can be stressful, stress has no effect on the levels of hCG in your urine and therefore does not affect the accuracy of your result.
The realisation can be scary and daunting enough in itself, so don’t believe everything you read and hear about how to go about it.
Introducing Plusbaby
Here are the pregnancy tests we’ve chosen for you.
Get the clear answer you need as soon as possible.
Get peace of mind. Our high sensitivity, early result pregnancy tests are clinically proven to be over 99% accurate* and work up to 3 days before your expected period.
Easy-to-use pregnancy tests with simple instructions in French, German and Italian. The test results are easy to read, and no application is required.
But if the test is negative, don’t panic, it may just mean that the HCG level is too low to be detected. The pack contains 3 tests so you can repeat the test twice more. We advise you to repeat the test on the day your period is due and/or on your 2nd day of delay.
Women with irregular cycles cannot really know the expected date of their next period. In this case, you should know that our test can be used 12 to 14 days after trying to conceive in order to detect pregnancy.
What is Plusbaby?
Plusbaby is a home pregnancy test, approved by gynaecologists and delivered discreetly to your door. What’s so discreet about Plusbaby? Plusbaby is delivered in an envelope with no indication of what’s inside or who it’s from.
Original price was: CHF 39.90.CHF 19.90Current price is: CHF 19.90.
