Pregnancy tests are a faster alternative to detect your pregnancy. With the introduction of at-home test kits, you can quickly check your results. Many home pregnancy tests claim to be accurate as early as the first day of a missed period, but you are most likely to get more accurate results if you wait after your missed period. You either use your urine or blood for a pregnancy test. 

What is a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test is an effective way to know whether you’re pregnant. If your test is positive, it means you are pregnant. If your test is negative, it means you’re not pregnant. 

Pregnancy tests are usually 99% accurate if used correctly. There are two main types of pregnancy tests. They are blood tests and urine tests. The blood test is done in the hospital, while the urine test can be done in the hospital or at home with your pregnancy test kit. 

Shortly after your egg is fertilised, it attaches to your uterine lining. This process is called implantation. Once implantation occurs, the placenta forms and produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

This hormone enters your bloodstream and urine, and its concentration increases rapidly, doubling every two to three days. This hormone is responsible for detecting your pregnancy status. It is only present when you’re pregnant. The later you take the home pregnancy test, the easier it gets for the test to detect HCG because there would be a sufficient amount of HCG in your blood now. 

Types of pregnancy tests

The two main pregnancy types are blood and at-home pregnancy tests. 

• Blood test: Your health provider usually carries out a blood test for you. Blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. Some people prefer this test because it detects even the smallest amount of HCG in the blood. It is also an accurate test for those undergoing fertility treatment. A very high HCG might signify that you may be carrying twins, or it may reveal complications from the pregnancy. However, it is more expensive than at-home pregnancy strips and devices.

• At-home pregnancy (urine)test: You can carry out this test without a health professional. Every at-home test differs. Every manufacturer has instructions for carrying out the test, so you must read all the instructions, as it can affect the accuracy of the test result. 
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HCG can be detected after 10 days of conception. Taking it during your missed period prevents a false negative result. To prevent false negative or positive results, follow these steps:

• Use your first-morning urine. The HCG is more sensitive and easily detectable. However, if you take the tests later, use your urine that has stayed for 3 hours in your system.
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• Follow the instructions on the device or pack, as this can affect the test result.
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• Check the manufacturing and expiring date.
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• Do not take excessive fluid before the test, as it can dilute the concentration of HCG. 
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How much does a pregnancy test cost in Nigeria?

An at-home pregnancy test costs between 2,500 to 5,000. A blood test in the hospital costs much, and it ranges from 5,000 to 10,000. It may be higher in private hospitals.

How long does it take to show the result?

All pregnancy test kits differ. Ensure you read the instructions to know when you’ll get your result. Ideally, you should wait for 3 minutes before you get your result. Even a faint line signifies that you’re pregnant. An evaporation line occurs when you take too long to check, and your urine dries up. It can disrupt the result in most cases.

Is a false positive test possible?

Yes, it can occur when you lose the pregnancy and take the test shortly after.

How to use a pregnancy test kit

With most tests, the end of a dipstick will be placed in your urine stream, or immerse the dipstick in a container of collected urine. A few minutes later, the dipstick reveals the test result, often as a plus or minus sign, one line or two lines, or the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant” on a strip or screen.

Can medications interfere with test results?

Fertility drugs or other medications that contain HCG might interfere with home pregnancy test results. However, most medications, including antibiotics and birth control pills, don’t affect the accuracy of home pregnancy tests.

What are the best pregnancy test kits?

First Response digital and manual tests are the most sensitive. They can detect hCG-h, the kind of hCG that women produce only very early in pregnancy, to determine pregnancy sooner. Clearblue Easy and EPT are less sensitive than First Response but more sensitive than other tests on the market.

What to do after a positive pregnancy test?

• Consult your healthcare provider to give the necessary advice on the way forward.
• Start taking prenatal vitamins like folate to aid the development of the foetus and prevent complications in pregnancy.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking, as these two can be traced to congenital fetal anomalies.

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