When Should You Get an Over-the-Counter Pregnancy Test Kit?Whether or not you want a baby, the inevitable can happen – a missed period. You’ve been feeling all the typical signs: sore breasts, fatigue, irritability and bloating, among others. They’re your typical premenstrual signs, so why haven’t you gotten your period yet? If you’ve been waiting for the flag to turn up red for some days now, but aren’t feeling so lucky, when is the right time to head down to the drugstore for an OTC pregnancy test kit without getting disappointing results? Answer: Feel free to go ahead and purchase an over-the-counter pregnancy test kit within days after your missed period. There are several brands and these brands have varying sensitivity levels. Pregnancy tests work by detecting HcG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels in the blood. This is a substance that is secreted by the placenta into the mother’s blood (Ergo, if there’s a placenta, there’s a good chance you are pregnant). The most sensitive tests can detect very low levels of HcG in the urine. Other tests will not show a positive sign until weeks after a missed period. Here’s a quick explanation: The placenta forms within two weeks after conception. This means, the blood will already contain hCG two weeks after the last sexual intercourse in which a baby was actually conceived. A woman who may be pregnant will exhibit symptoms which are very similar to what she may experience pre-menstrually. The only difference is, those premenstrual symptoms won’t actually lead to her period. HcG tests are more than 90% effective, but they aren’t mistake-proof. Still, the best way to get tested for an early pregnancy is still through a physical examination by an obstetrician. Related articles
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