Am I Pregnant?

So you think you are pregnant - nothing could be more exciting! But with this excitement comes worry, delight, wonder, and a lot of questions. So the real question is are you really pregnant? Well find all the answers to your questions here, from sure signs of pregnancy, to which pregnancy test to take, to calculating your due date yourself.

*Signs of pregnancy looked for in a medical exam.

** Source: Eisenberg, Murkoff, Hathaway, What to Expect When Expecting 1991, Workman Publishing You may have all of the signs of early pregnancy and not be pregnant. Or you may have only a couple of them or only one and very definitely be pregnant. The various signs and symptoms of pregnancy are only clues and should not be relied on as a definitive diagnosis. In fact the first sign that definitely confirms pregnancy is your baby’s heartbeat, which is audible at around 10 weeks, but more likely at 12 weeks of pregnancy with the sensitive Doppler device. Earlier signs only indicate the probability that you are pregnant. Combined with a reliable pregnancy test and your doctor’s examination, they can help provide an accurate diagnosis.

*Signs of pregnancy looked for in a medical exam ** Source: Eisenberg, Murkoff, Hathaway, What to Expect when Expecting, 1991, Workman Publishing

*Signs of pregnancy looked for in a medical exam ** Source: Eisenburg, Murkoff, Hathaway, What to expect when expecting, 1991, Workman publishing.

There are basically three types of pregnancy testing available today.

The Home pregnancy test. These tests are much more sophisticated and accurate now than they were in the past-and a lot easier to understand and use. This is a urine-based test and similar the one you would be given in the lab or at your doctor’s office. It tests for the presence of the hormone HCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in your urine. Some of the tests on the market are accurate to the first day of your missed period and you will have your answer within 5 minutes taken with a urine sample at any time of the day. (Many tests in the past advised testing with urine first thing in the morning as the concentrations of HCG are higher in the morning.) If this test is done correctly-it is almost as accurate as the tests administered in the lab or the doctor’s office (the accuracy is close to 100% according to the manufacturers).

Home testing offers the advantages of privacy and immediate results that are easy to interpret. Because they can provide an accurate result so early in pregnancy-usually earlier than you would consider consulting a physician-they can give you a head start in caring for your self and taking the appropriate steps toward a healthy pregnancy.

The major drawback to the in-home test is if it produces a false-negative result and you actually are pregnant it may prevent you from consulting your physician and taking good care of yourself. And even with a positive result, you may postpone your office visit because you may assume that a pregnancy diagnosis is the only reason to see your doctor in early pregnancy. This is not so, it is still very important to have a consultation with a medical professional to not only confirm your pregnancy but to also start you on an prenatal program as soon a possible. Medical follow–up to the test is essential. If the results are negative and your period still has not started you may wish to wait a few days and re-test or make an appointment to see your doctor and find our why your period has not yet started.

The lab or In-office Test. Like the at-home test this test detects the presence or absence of HCG in the urine with an accuracy rate of close to 100%. Unlike the home test it is preformed by a heath care professional, who is, at least in theory, more likely to perform it correctly. If you are planning on having a doctor’s urine or lab test call the day before and see if there are any special instructions for you to follow. Like the home test the in-office test will usually yield results within minutes and will not normally require first-morning urine. The lab test however, may require first-morning urine and you may have to wait for less than instant results as the lab is usually required to report to the doctor’s office directly.

The Blood Test. This more sophisticated testing can detect pregnancy with virtually 100% accuracy as early as one week past conception (excluding lab error). It can also help to date your pregnancy in the event that your practitioner is not able to calculate your due date based on your first day of your last menstrual period. This serum test is sensitive enough to measure the exact amount of HCG in your blood, since HCG values change as the pregnancy progresses, and therefore determine how far along your pregnancy is.

No matter which test you choose, the chances of the diagnosis being correct are further enhanced by when the test is followed up and confirmed by a licensed medical practitioner. If there is ever a question that you may be pregnant-it is a good idea to act as if you are, taking all prenatal precautions, until it is confirmed otherwise.

Often after the question "Am I pregnant?" is answered the next question is "When is the baby due?" Well here is a quick and easy way to calculate the magic due date your bundle of joy should arrive.

Take the first day of your last regular menstrual period and add 7 to it. From that date, count back 3 months and you have your due date for the following year. For example if your last regular menstrual period was May 20th 2010, add 7 to it, which gives you 27; then count back three months. Your estimated due date will be February 27th, 2011. Happy Counting!

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