Methods for confirming your pregnancy.
There are three ways to detect and confirm a pregnancy:
- Urine test
- Blood test
- Ultrasound scans
Urine Test
A urine test measuring hormone levels in the urine is the most common way to confirm pregnancy. This can be done at home with a pregnancy test kit or alternatively you can take a urine sample to your doctor or family planning clinic. A variety of test kits are available for home use that can detect a pregnancy accurately as soon as 12-14 days after conception. Urine tests detect the presence of the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) that is produced once a fertilised egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.
If your test registers negative and a week later you still have no period, you may wish to re-test. Many home kits have a second test included as a back up. Always follow enclosed instructions carefully. Test kits are available from your doctor, midwife, Family Planning Association clinics or a pharmacist.
Blood Test
Your doctor can do a blood test that will detect a pregnancy two weeks after conception.
Ultrasound
Early pregnancy can be detected with high-quality ultrasound scanning. An ultrasound is sometimes advised if early detection is important. It is also possible to confirm the date of pregnancy by looking at the size of the baby on scan.