| What are the signs of
pregnancy? The primary sign is a missed period. In
addition to a missed period, there are other signs and symptoms
that are due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. These include
nausea, fatigue, weight gain, increased body temperature and breast
tenderness.
However, a woman should not rely only upon the presence of these
signs to determine if she is pregnant. Other things may cause these
symptoms or she may not have symptoms. A pregnancy test is a more
reliable way of determining pregnancy in its early stages so that
medical attention may be sought as soon as possible.
How is pregnancy determined?
In the early part of pregnancy, the body begins producing
a hormone called chorionic gonadotropin or HCG. This hormone stimulates
the ovaries to produce the amount of estrogen and progesterone needed
for implantation of the egg into the uterine wall and for the embryo's
early development.
Because HCG is present in both the blood and urine of a pregnant
woman, laboratory diagnosis of pregnancy is relatively easy. A standard
laboratory pregnancy test determines the presence of HCG in the
urine by combining urine and test materials either in a test tube
or on a glass slide. A certain reaction occurs if HCG is present,
but it does not occur if there is no HCG or if there is too small
an amount to react.
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What kind of test is done at UHS?
UHS offers a urine test. The test is usually accurate one
or two days after a missed period.
Instructions for pregnancy testing
The test is appropriate if your period is due or late.
Tests are available Monday through Friday but NOT Saturday or Sunday.
Check in at the Clinic 1A/Treatment Center reception desk on the
first floor of UHS. A nurse will meet with you and give you
a urine specimen cup and lab form. If you arrive late in the
day, you may be asked to return the next day for results.
How to get test results Test
results will usually be available on the same day. Arrange to receive
results with the nurse at the time of your visit.
How accurate is a pregnancy test?
If the urine test is "positive," this most likely
means that you are pregnant. However, as with all tests, there is
a small possibility of a "false positive" test, meaning
that you may not really be pregnant. The pregnancy test is capable
of detecting very low levels of pregnancy hormone that occur shortly
after conception. Because some pregnancies terminate for natural
reasons, further testing may show a disappearance of the hormone
in a person who was determined to be pregnant. This is not a false
positive, but it reflects the sensitivity of the test in identifying
the physiological changes in the body.
If your test is "negative" and no menstrual period occurs
within 7-10 days, you should repeat the test.
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What about home testing kits?
There are several pregnancy test kits available to women
for home use. Most of these tests employ a method to detect the
presence or absence of HCG that is very similar to that used by
medical laboratories.
The advantages of home kits are the convenience and privacy they
afford in comparison to standard laboratory care. Home tests, like
pregnancy testing in a medical laboratory, can determine pregnancy
as soon as one day after a missed period and results can be obtained
in less than twenty minutes.
The disadvantages of home pregnancy kits are the chance of error
and the cost. Possible sources of error include using a contaminated
urine sample, reading the result earlier or later than specified
and not using a big enough sample. Because of the possibility of
error, there are often instructions to do a second pregnancy test
a week later, if the results are negative. Kits cost between $8-$20
and repeat home testing may become expensive.
Where can I get help? If
you are concerned about a positive result, you may want to sort
out your feelings and clarify your options. You can speak with a
UHS nurse about pregnancy options by calling 734-763-4511.
In addition, Counseling and
Psychological Services (room 3100 Michigan Union) also offers
options counseling.
Please remember, you do have choices. If you are pregnant you may
choose parenthood, adoption or abortion. We will help in any way
we can, no matter what your choice, so be certain you have taken
the time you need to make your decision, and do let us know how
we can help.
UHS resources
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