I want to be a mother
28 April 2023Everything you need to know about hCG, the pregnancy hormone
28 April 2023The question “Am I pregnant or not?” can bring up a lot of powerful emotions. It can be overwhelming joy or it can bring you worry, and sometimes a combination of both feelings. Whether or not you’re ready to embrace the role of mum, the first important step is to know if you’re pregnant. In this article we explore different ways to determine if you are pregnant.
Signs of pregnancy
Some women experience specific symptoms as early as the first weeks of pregnancy that can help them answer the question “Am I pregnant or not?”.
These may include:
- Late menstruation: This is often the first sign that may indicate a possible pregnancy. However, there are other reasons for delayed periods, such as stress or hormonal disorders.
- Morning sickness and vomiting: Many women experience nausea in the morning or throughout the day, especially in the early months of pregnancy.
- Tiredness and sleepiness: A constant feeling of tiredness or need for rest can be a sign of pregnancy.
- Breast tenderness and enlargement: Some women may notice changes in their breasts, such as breast enlargement and increased tenderness.
- Frequent urination: During pregnancy, blood volume increases, which can lead to frequent urination.
- Changes in appetite and taste: Certain foods can become more appealing or more off-putting during pregnancy.
Pregnancy test
Even though signs of pregnancy can appear very early, there are simple, affordable and easy-to-use tools that can give you the answer long before symptoms appear: pregnancy tests.
The pregnancy test detects the presence of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the urine, which is produced by a pregnant woman’s body.
Most pregnancy tests can detect the presence of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the urine more than two weeks after conception. Specifically, on the first day of delayed menses, the usual pregnancy tests will detect a level of 25 mIU/ml of hCG in the urine.
However, there are also tests that can detect pregnancy up to 5 days before your next likely period or 6 days before your next period.
How early can I take a pregnancy test?
When you are anxious to find out whether or not you are pregnant, you should choose an ultrasensitive pregnancy test, which detects a very low level of hCG in the urine as soon as it has reached 10 mIU/ml.
The increased sensitivity of the Barza pregnancy test makes it possible to detect pregnancy up to five days before the probable date of your next period. The result has laboratory accuracy, proving greater than 99% accuracy. Another advantage of this test is that it can even detect an ectopic pregnancy.
The first weeks of pregnancy are critical for the smooth development of the foetus. Finding out the result early helps expectant mothers make the right nutritional choices. It also helps you avoid exposure to hazards to ensure a healthy pregnancy.