Pregnancy Tests.

The first challenge of pregnancy may be figuring out if you really are pregnant! Before you invest in a home pregnancy test or go to your doctor's office to have a pregnancy test, look for the signs and symptoms of pregnancy:
•    missed menstrual period
•    nausea, with or without vomiting
•    fatigue
•    breast changes and breast tenderness
•    frequent urination

Your doctor may ask you to take a home pregnancy test when you miss a period to help determine if you are pregnant before you go to the office. Home tests are so accurate now that your doctor may rely on them as an initial screening for pregnancy. Sometimes a woman misses a period because of stress, excessive physical exertion or dieting, not pregnancy. If you think you're pregnant, take a home pregnancy test first. If the test is positive, contact your doctor to make your first prenatal appointment.

Pregnancy tests have become increasingly sensitive and can show positive results even before you miss a menstrual period. Most tests are positive 7 to 10 days after you conceive! However, most doctors recommend you wait until you miss your period before taking a test to save you money and emotional energy.

A special type of pregnancy test, called a quantitative HCG test, is a blood test done in the 1st  trimester; your doctor may order it if there is concern about miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. The test measures the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which your body produces early in pregnancy in rapidly increasing amounts. Two or more tests done a few days apart identify the change in the amount of the hormone. You may also have an ultrasound.