Home pregnancy tests

Q My husband and I are finally ready to have children. My doctor says there's nothing to indicate that I'll have any problems with my pregnancy. I'm so excited about the possibility of having children that I want to know that I'm pregnant as soon as possible. So I would like to know how accurate home pregnancy tests are. How do they work, and how popular are they?

E.B., Los Angeles

A Home pregnancy tests are very popular, not only letting you know immediately if you're pregnant, but they also provide a degree of privacy. Doctors say the pregnancy tests are designed to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone in the urine.

The hormone, which is produced by cells in the placenta, first gets into the bloodstream when the fertilized egg implants in a woman's uterus (an average of 8 to 10 days after fertilization).

Researchers say that by 14 days after fertilization, about the time a woman expects her period, most home pregnancy tests may be able to detect the hormone in a woman's urine and give a positive result. It's more likely, though, for a woman to get an accurate result if she waits until a week after her expected period before testing.

Studies indicate that, if used correctly, the home pregnancy tests are about 98 percent accurate. For best results, women are advised to use first-morning urine because the levels of hCG will be concentrated and easier to detect.

Doctors say the only risk associated with home pregnancy tests is misinterpreting the test results. No matter the kind of home pregnancy test, if the test is positive, women are advised to see their doctors to confirm the test results and arrange follow-up care. Further, if the initial test result is negative, it's still possible that you may be pregnant. It's recommended that the test be repeated in one week if the woman's period has not started.

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