|
|
 |
|
How soon can pregnancy be detected?
|
|
| |
How soon before I know I’m pregnant?
Women who worry they might be pregnant and those who are actively trying to conceive share a common question: how soon can pregnancy be detected? Today, pregnancy can be detected with a high degree of certainty sooner than ever. However, when you will be able to know if you are pregnant will vary based on several factors.
How do pregnancy tests work?
Whether you are taking a pregnancy test in the privacy of your own home or getting a blood test to answer the same question in your doctor’s office, the tests work in the same way. Both types of test are looking for a hormone called hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone is only produced by a fetus once it has implanted in the wall of the uterus, so if it is present in either a woman’s blood or her urine, it is a clear indication that an egg has been fertilized and implanted in the uterus.
There are several steps to reach the point when hCG will be present in measurable quantities:
- First, a woman ovulates, which means that she releases an egg from her ovary into the fallopian tubes
- Second, that egg is fertilized by sperm within about 24 hours. If this does not occur, the egg will be expelled through the process of menstruation
- Third, the fertilized egg moves into the uterus
- The fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus where it begins to develop and will grow into a baby.
At this point, the fetus releases hCG but in very small levels. The amount of hCG released doubles almost daily during the first trimester but can be slower or faster depending on the fetus. |
|
|
| |
How long does it take to find out if I’m pregnant?
On average, the most sensitive pregnancy tests will give a positive reading anywhere between two and four days after implantation. However, if you take a test before the fetus is releasing a measurable amount of hCG, you can get a negative result although you are actually pregnant. This is referred to as a false negative. If you have already missed your period, a pregnancy test will be able to give an accurate reading even if it is not the most sensitive test on the market.
Find pregnancy and infant products from Luna Lullaby
If you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, Luna Lullaby is a great resource. At Luna, you will find award winning baby products as well as practical information you can really use.
|
|
|
Congratulations on the arrival of your newest family member, and thank you for visiting Luna Lullaby.
|
|
|
|
|
|
