Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The Dangerous Web We Weave?

Well I have discovered that the interweb is evil. Well sort of, I thought I would look for information on pregnancy tests...and silly me...here is some of the info I found out. And from credible sources...

From the American Pregnancy Association

How long do I have to wait before I take a test?
Most doctors recommend that you wait until the first day of your missed period before taking a home pregnancy test. A missed period is usually one of the first signs of pregnancy. This is usually around two weeks after conception. However, some tests are more sensitive (and more expensive) than others and can be taken earlier. Concentrations of hCG are reported in milliInternational Units (mIU) or amounts equal to 1/1000th of an IU per milliliter. A pregnancy test with a sensitivity of 20 IU/L is more sensitive than one with 50 IU/L.

How accurate are home tests?
Home tests are very accurate (around 97%) when used correctly. Some kits come with two tests because mistakes do happen.
If you take a test too early, you may get a false negative (when the test says you are not pregnant but you are). Your body needs time for the hormone to rise to a high enough level to be detected in a test. If the test comes back negative but you still think you could be pregnant, wait a few days and try again.

There there is this at US Dept of Health and Human Services

How do pregnancy tests work?
Pregnancy tests look for a special hormone in the urine or blood that is only there when a woman is pregnant. This hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), can also be called the pregnancy hormone.
The pregnancy hormone, hCG, is made in your body when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 6 days after conception. But studies show that the embryo doesn't implant until later in some women. The amount of hCG increases drastically with each passing day you are pregnant.
Many home pregnancy tests claim they can tell if you're pregnant on the day you expect your period. But a recent study shows that most don't give accurate results this early in pregnancy. Waiting one week after a missed period will usually give a more accurate answer.

Then here's this from CNN NEWS:

When should I take a home pregnancy test?
Many home pregnancy tests can be taken as early as the first day of a missed period. For the most accurate results, it's best to wait until one week after a missed period.

So before I put the cart in front of the horse I should just wait and see if AF shows up!

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