women s health issues
Detecting and Dating a Pregnancy
Home pregnancy tests
When a menstrual period is late, a woman may use a home pregnancy test to determine whether she is pregnant. Home pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced by the placenta early in pregnancy. Results of home pregnancy tests are accurate about 97% of the time. If results are negative but the woman still suspects she is pregnant, she should repeat the home pregnancy test a few days later. The first test may have been done too early (before the next menstrual period is expected to start). If results are positive, the woman should contact her doctor, who may do another pregnancy test to confirm the results. Results of home pregnancy tests are accurate about 97% of the time. 