Earliest Pregnancy Test

A missed period, was always considered to be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, but may not be a reliable symptom to confirm pregnancy. Hence, most women resort to some pregnancy test, before going to a gynecologist. But compared to the yesteryears, when women used to collect urine samples and approach doctors, who were authorized to use the pregnancy kits, which consisted of test tubes, solutions and many other components, the present day home pregnancy tests are far more advantageous and convenient.

History of Pregnancy Tests
The history of pregnancy tests can be traced back to the period of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The ancient Egyptian women used to mix grains of wheat or barley with their urine to detect pregnancy. Pregnancy was confirmed on the germination of the grains. Hippocrates, the renowned ancient Greek physician, advised women to consume a solution of honey and water at bedtime. Here, women who developed cramps were determined to be pregnant. These methods evolved through the generations, to the fussy pregnancy kits of the 1970s, which were meant to be used under the supervision of doctors and in laboratories only. But this method was cheaper than the ones used during the 1960s. The advent of the home pregnancy kits during the end of the twentieth century, opened a wide array of testing options to women. Now, most women use home pregnancy tests as their earliest pregnancy test.

Earliest Pregnancy Test
Earliest pregnancy tests include two methods - one using urine samples and the other using blood samples. The theory behind both being the same, but the mode of testing is different. Both tests are based on the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is secreted by the developing placenta, soon after the fertilized egg gets attached to the lining of the uterus. This implantation can happen anytime between six to twelve days of ovulation. The presence of the hormone is detected by these earliest pregnancy tests. While a pregnancy test using blood samples can be done through a doctor only, home pregnancy kits use urine samples for detecting pregnancy and can be done at home.

Home Pregnancy Test
Being the most popular and widely-used method of earliest pregnancy tests, home pregnancy tests offer the facility of detecting pregnancy at home itself. These kits are very easy to operate and all you have to do is add a few drops of urine to the area provided in the device for that purpose (the mode of usage also varies with brands) and wait for the stipulated time to get the results. The result is displayed with various symbols or color changes, which may vary with different brands. The latest digital pregnancy tests display the results in writing, like 'pregnant' or 'not pregnant'. But make sure to read the instructions carefully and follow them for accurate results. It is always better to use morning urine for this purpose.

The level of hCG increases with the stages of pregnancy and the early stages are characterized with very low levels of hCG. Usually, most of the home pregnancy tests display the level of sensitivity of the test. The sensitivity of the test means the level of hCG it can detect. This hormone (hCG) is measured in thousandths of International Units, or mIU. Those tests which can detect very low levels of hCG (like 20mIU) are considered more sensitive then those which can detect higher levels (50 to 100 mIU) of hCG. If the test is indicated as capable of detecting low levels of hCG, then it can detect pregnancies in the very early stages. The most sensitive home pregnancy tests (indicated with lowest level of hCG) can detect pregnancies within eight days of ovulation. The sensitivity of the tests vary with brands. Some of the tests (indicated with with higher hCG levels) may not be able to detect early pregnancies and so may provide negative results. In such a case, you may use a high sensitivity home pregnancy kit or wait for some more days, before testing again.

While home pregnancy tests with urine samples can detect hCG within a range of 20 mIU to 100 mIU, pregnancy tests with blood samples can detect hCG, at the lowest level of 1 mIU, which makes the blood tests more sensitive, as it can detect pregnancies earlier than the most sensitive home pregnancy test. Apart from these two methods, earliest pregnancy tests include another method called rosette inhibition assay for early pregnancy factor (EPF), which can detect pregnancy within 48 hours of fertilization. But this method is very expensive and time-consuming (and it cannot be done at home).

According to research, home pregnancy tests are 97% accurate, if done correctly. These tests are inexpensive, easy to use and give faster results, compared to other methods. However, even if your home pregnancy test result is positive, you have to approach a gynecologist and confirm the pregnancy. If you experience the symptoms of pregnancy, but if the test results are negative, even after repeated tests, then you should seek the advice of a doctor.