Early Pregnancy Tests (EPT) And How They Work
June 11th, 2007
Using an early pregnancy test (EPT) can tell you if you are pregnant before you have to go to the doctor. Using these can be be mind easing or make you even more worried depending on the results. There is an issue of false positives and false negatives. Early pregnancy tests (EPT) usually work the same way by testing the hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in the morning urine. This gives you a result within usually seven to ten days after ovulation. There are usually two formats – Midstream testing and using a test strip. Whichever you choose, make sure you follow the directions carefully, or you may end up with a false result. If in doubt at all, please see your doctor for further testing if needed.
An early pregnancy test (EPT) is a useful device to help with those jitters when you have missed a monthly period. You do need to wait until ten days after you have missed one to use the early pregnancy test (EPT). Otherwise, you can get false readings. These devices are FDA approved and are usually ninety five percent accurate. So follow the instructions as close as possible and you should have a true result.
Early Pregnancy Tests (EPT) measure the hCG in the morning urine. The level needed to test for pregnancy is present at about ten days after ovulation. Of course, the longer you wait after ovulation is better because the hCG levels increase every day. This will also help you with getting a true result from your early pregnancy test (EPT). If you try to use one too early, you may not have enough of the hCG in your system for the device to detect the pregnancy. If you come back with a negative result, test again in about two weeks. If you think you might be pregnant, see a doctor to confirm the results.
When interpreting the results, some women can read them completely wrong. Most early pregnancy test (EPT) include a picture in the directions on what to look for with the test strips. Some can also come out faint or with a line that is not supposed to be there at all. Some faint lines could man a positive result. Take care in your reading and you may want to test again in a week to confirm your results.
When purchasing the early pregnancy tests, choose a method that you are comfortable with using. There are two formats – Midstream test and using a test strip. For the midstream test, you place the test device in the morning stream of urine and wait for the results. If you choose the test strip method, you will need to collect the morning urine in a small container and place the test strip in the urine for a few minutes. There is usually a five to ten minute wait for results. If you wait longer than the directions tel you to check it, you may get a false reading.
Even if you do get a negative reading and are going to test again in about a week, there are some symptoms to look for if you think you are pregnant. Breast swelling and tenderness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), and starting to go to the bathroom more during the night. These can start right after ovulation sometimes, so be looking for them even if you get a negative result.
Follow the directions and you will get the right result. If the device is broken or not working, the control symbol will not appear. You will need to try again or see your doctor for further workup and a physical.