We demystify a pregnancy test for you
Think back to the first time you took a pregnancy test. Were you anxious? Excited? Terrified? Optimistic?
As for me, I was in the bathroom, crossing my fingers for a positive outcome. Even though I was (almost) ready to have a baby, I could imagine an entirely different experience for someone who wasn't.
Whatever the result you're hoping for, taking a pregnancy test can be very stressful.
While this little test can be a life-changing experience, there's 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 are here to clarify the confusion surrounding the pregnancy test.
Let's start with the elephant in the room : the most common questions we receive about pregnancy 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: the blood pregnancy test (usually performed at the doctor's) and the urine pregnancy test (which involves peeing on a stick). Both types of test measure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which rapidly comes into play after the first few days of pregnancy.
The urine pregnancy test is more common than the blood pregnancy test, as it can be performed 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 should also be borne in mind that ovulation is not regulated like clockwork, which can affect the time at which hCG can be detected.
That's 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 delayed menstruation, just in case.
The Plusbaby pregnancy test pack contains 3 tests so that 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 second day of delay.
Will taking the contraceptive pill affect the results of the pregnancy test?
Although home pregnancy tests are proven to be accurate to over 99 %, they are not perfect. Erroneous 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. In addition, it's important to check the instructions to avoid false-negative results, as you may not have waited long enough to see the pregnancy test result.
Recent miscarriage or abortion: If you've recently had a miscarriage or abortion, this means you've recently had high levels of hCG in your urine. Although these levels decrease, it's at a slower rate, and it takes 19 days on average for the hormone to leave your system completely. You could then have a false-positive.
Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere outside the uterus, 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 pregnancy test, read the instructions and if in doubt, take another one.
Does having my period affect the results?
No, it doesn't! As the pregnancy 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 pregnancy test?
If you're wondering, you probably should. Peace of mind is priceless. 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 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. It 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 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?
While pregnancy tests raise many questions, they are also the subject of many myths. We've decided to shed some light on all the rumors surrounding 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 realize 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 your period to take a pregnancy test. Otherwise, your result probably means nothing. We know it's hard, but hang in there and wait.
Myth 2: The new urine pregnancy test can also confirm the baby's sex
Although technology is quite impressive in this day and age, we're not there yet. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until you're 16 to 20 weeks pregnant for your doctor to tell you the sex of your baby.
Myth 3: Digital tests are more accurate than non-digital tests.
Once you've missed your period, all pregnancy 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 wrong time to take a pregnancy 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 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 5: False positives don't exist
Although not as common as false-negative results, false-positive pregnancy tests do occur. A number of factors can lead to a false-positive result, including lines, a previous miscarriage or abortion, and certain medications to treat infertility.
Myth no. 6: Stress can lead to a false-positive result.
Although waiting for your result can be stressful, stress has no effect on the hCG levels in your urine and therefore has no impact on the accuracy of your result.
The realization can be scary and intimidating enough on its own, so don't believe everything you read and hear about how to do it.
Introducing Plusbaby
Here are the pregnancy tests we've chosen for you.
Get the clear answer you need as soon as possible.
Get the peace of mind you need. 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. Test results are easy to read, and no application is required.
But if the test is negative, don't panic, it may simply 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 lateness.
Women with irregular cycles can't really know the expected date of their next period. In this case, our test can be used 12 to 14 days after trying to conceive, to detect pregnancy.
What is Plusbaby?
Plusbaby is a home pregnancy test, approved by gynecologists 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.
