Early pregnancy test: list, time, results interpretation

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Almost every woman who suspects pregnancy gets a test at a pharmacy. This is a simple and quick way to confirm or exclude the fact of conception of a child. However, according to statistics, this method is not 100% accurate. The most reliable is considered a laboratory test for pregnancy. In the early stages, it can be confirmed or excluded by a blood test for hCG. Currently, this is the only and highly accurate method for detecting pregnancy. Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor will be able not only to confirm the fact of conception, but also to assess the course of the gestation period as a whole. In the future, a woman needs to undergo a number of studies. Regarding what tests to take in early pregnancy, the doctor will also advise.

HCG study: the essence of the method

This abbreviation stands for "human chorionic gonadotropin". This is a hormone, for the production of whichresponsible syncytiotrophoblast - part of a fertilized egg. As soon as the latter attaches to the wall of the uterus, hCG begins to stimulate the active development of the placenta.

Human chorionic gonadotropin consists of two units: alpha and beta. Moreover, only the second indicator is important in the diagnosis of pregnancy in the early stages. The beta-unit analysis allows you to determine conception as early as 2 days after the onset of fertilization.

Functions that hCG performs:

• Promotes the synthesis of estrogen and progesterone.
• Prepares a woman's body for bearing a fetus.
• Preserves the corpus luteum.
• Stimulates the adrenal glands and gonads in the developing fetus.
• Promotes the production of Leydig cells, which in turn synthesize testosterone in male embryos.

It is important to know that pregnancy tests are also based on the detection of hCG levels. But in this case, the biological material is urine. In urine, the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin increases slowly. That is why manufacturers of test strips recommend conducting a study at least 1-2 days before the start of the expected menstruation. In the blood, hCG is detected on average 2 days after fertilization. In this regard, this is the most reliable test for determining pregnancy in the early stages.

Preparation

Biological material sampling is carried out in the morning. You must donate blood on an empty stomach. Last receptionmeals should take place no earlier than 10 hours before the collection of liquid connective tissue.

It is important to exclude fatty foods and foods that contain a large amount of protein from the diet 1 day before donating blood. This is due to the fact that the blood may coagulate ahead of time, due to which it will become unsuitable for research.

If a woman is taking any medications, the doctor should be informed about this. In some cases, the effect of medications can distort the results of the study.

How is it done?

Blood sampling is carried out in a standard way. Venous liquid connective tissue is used as biological material. Its fence, as a rule, is carried out from a vein located on the elbow bend. The blood tube is labeled and sent to the laboratory.

Due dates

The study of liquid connective tissue is carried out by ELISA. In some institutions (for example, in Unilab or Invitro), an early pregnancy test is ready in 1-2 days. Almost every independent laboratory provides express testing services. This means that results can be obtained within 2 hours. It is recommended to clarify the terms directly at the selected institution.

Interpretation of results

For each person (a slight concentration of the hormone is present even in the body in men), the hCG indicator is individual. In this regard, only a doctor will be able to correctly interpret the results of the analysis onearly pregnancy.

There are average reference values expressed in mU/ml:

• HCG varies between 0-5 in he althy and non-pregnant women.
• If conception has occurred, the level of the hormone changes constantly. 1 week - minimum value 20, maximum - 150.
• 2-3 weeks. The indicator grows many times and can be 100-4870.
• 4 weeks. HCG levels range from 2500-82000.
• 5 weeks. The indicator reaches 151000.
• 6 weeks. The maximum value is 233000.

Thus, the analysis of hCG in early pregnancy is extremely informative. With its help, it is possible not only to confirm conception, but also to accurately determine the week of the gestational period. In addition, based on the results of the study, the doctor gets the opportunity to identify various kinds of pathologies in the patient or fetus.

If a woman's hCG varies between 5-25 mU / ml, the study must be repeated after 2 days. This is because these results are not unambiguous.

Deviations from the norm

If an early pregnancy blood test showed too high a human chorionic gonadotropin value, this usually indicates the presence of the following conditions:

• Diabetes mellitus.
• Toxicosis.
• Multiple pregnancy.
• Chromosomal abnormalities in a developing fetus.
• Prolonged pregnancy.

Also,the deviation of the hCG indicator upwards is observed when taking hormonal medications, the task of which is to compensate for the lack of progesterone in the body.

Low concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin are a reason for immediate medical attention. If the figure is half the norm, this may indicate a frozen or ectopic pregnancy, the threat of interruption, overmaturity, fetal death or placental insufficiency.

Early blood count

If the fact of conception is confirmed, the woman needs to undergo a series of laboratory tests. This is necessary in order to timely identify the development of the pathological process in the expectant mother or fetus. Information regarding which tests in early pregnancy should be taken is provided by a gynecologist or therapist. But the first in this list is always a clinical study of fluid connective tissue.

Complete blood count in early pregnancy is extremely informative. In particular, the following indicators are the most clinically significant:

• Erythrocytes. The norm for the entire gestation period is from 3.5 x 10¹² to 5.6 x 10^{12. Deviation from the norm occurs with dehydration, anemia, obesity, prolonged exposure to stress, smoking. Each of these conditions in a pregnant woman requires immediate correction.}
• Hemoglobin. In the first trimester, values from 112 to 160 g / l are normal. Too low an indicator may indicate hypoxia, iron deficiency,lag in the physical development of the fetus. In addition, this condition threatens the early development of the delivery process and significant blood loss. A high hemoglobin is characteristic of dehydration, intestinal obstruction, diabetes mellitus, hypervitaminosis.
• Platelets. Normal values are between 180 x 10⁹ to 320 x 10^{9. A slight deviation does not always indicate the presence of pathology. If it is significant, the identification of the disease and its treatment is the task of the hematologist.}
• Leukocytes. In the first trimester, their rate ranges from 4 x 10⁹ to 9 x 10^{9. High values indicate, as a rule, the presence of infectious diseases (including sexually transmitted diseases), low values indicate a weakening of the body's defense system.}
• Lymphocytes. The norm is from 18 to 44%. An upward deviation may indicate the presence of dangerous infectious diseases. A low rate is not a cause for concern.

When interpreting the results, the doctor takes into account the ratio of many criteria. Considering each of them separately is inappropriate, as this leads to erroneous conclusions.

Urine analysis

Another important study. Although a urine test for early pregnancy is not informative, it can tell a lot about the course of the gestational period, which is especially important in the first trimester.

For doctors, the following are significant indicators:

• Color. Normal urineshould be straw yellow.
• Transparency. It should not contain impurities.
• Specific gravity.
• pH.
• Protein. It shouldn't exist at all.
• Sugar, bilirubin, ketone bodies, nitrites, hemoglobin. They should also not be in the urine.
• Erythrocytes. Norm - 1-2 pcs. in sight.
• Leukocytes. The norm is from 0 to 5.
• Epithelial cells. The norm is from 0 to 3.
• Cylinders.
• Amount of slime.
• S alts.

No bacteria and fungi should normally be in the urine. If present, it is customary to talk about the development of a genitourinary infection. The study is carried out every 2 weeks. This allows timely detection of the pathological process.

Blood chemistry

With the help of this study, the doctor gets the opportunity to get the most complete picture of the he alth of the expectant mother. Analysis in the Russian Federation is not mandatory, it is only recommended by the Ministry of He alth. However, all doctors prescribe it to pregnant women, as it is considered extremely informative.

The most significant indicators:

• Protein is common. In the first trimester, its concentration should not be less than 63 and more than 83 g / l.
• Urea. In the early period, values in the range from 2.5 to 7.1 mmol / l are normal.
• Glucose. Should not exceed 5.8 mmol/L (at any stage of pregnancy).
• Creatinine. The norm for the first trimester is from 32 to 70 µmol/L.
• ALT and AST - no more than 31 units/l.
• Alkaline phosphatase. In the first trimester, the indicator should not be less than 40 and more than 150 units.
• Iron. The norm is from 8.93 to 30.4 µmol/l.

The study is conducted every trimester.

Testing for syphilis, hepatitis and HIV

The listed infections belong to the perinatal group. In other words, they are transmitted from woman to fetus and can lead to irreparable consequences. In this regard, during pregnancy, blood for syphilis, hepatitis and HIV must be taken twice (up to 12 and at 30 weeks).

The reliability of the results directly depends on how responsibly the woman reacted to the rules of preparation. Any relaxation may result in false readings.

1 day before biomaterial sampling, pears, carrots, fatty foods and foods rich in protein should be discarded. You need to donate blood on an empty stomach. In addition, for 5 days it is important to be at rest. Avoid physical activity and stressful situations.

Test for TORCH infection

Pathologies belonging to this group are extremely dangerous for both the fetus and the woman. This is due to the fact that the presence of these infections in 17% of cases leads to stillbirth. If the child survives, it is highly likely that he will be found to have serious disabilities.

The group of TORCH infections includes: toxoplasmosis, herpes, rubella, cytomegalovirus. For every woman, they proceed differently. For example, in the first week after the fertilization process, the embryo is completely restored or dies. Infectiontransmitted through the placenta, in some cases, infection occurs during movement through the birth canal.

Research is mandatory at the stage of pregnancy planning. An early analysis for TORCH infection (up to 15 weeks) helps to detect the presence of the disease in a timely manner and take all possible measures to preserve the fetus.

Blood type and Rh factor

Even if a woman has already given birth in the past, this study is carried out with each subsequent pregnancy. This is necessary in order to exclude the possibility of an error if the patient needs a blood transfusion due to any reason. In addition, knowledge of the group and the Rh factor allows you to timely detect the conflict between the mother and the fetus and take measures to eliminate it.

In closing

When a woman is suspected of conception, she is interested in what analysis shows pregnancy in the early stages. To confirm or exclude the fact of fertilization, it is recommended to donate blood for hCG. This is a highly accurate study, which currently has the highest degree of certainty. This blood test for pregnancy in the early stages allows not only to find out whether conception has occurred or not, but also to detect the development of various pathologies in a timely manner. In the future, a woman needs to undergo a number of studies.