Learn about types of home pregnancy tests, how to use them, and how accurate they are. Find out what to do next if you are pregnant.
Pregnancy test
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Pregnancy Tests
Pregnancy Test
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Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy Test
Image by JuliaFiedler
Pregnancy Tests
If you think you may be pregnant, taking a pregnancy test as soon as the first day of your missed period can help you get the care and support you need. A home pregnancy test can tell whether you are pregnant with almost 99% accuracy, depending on how you use it. If a pregnancy test says you are pregnant, you should see your doctor for another test to confirm the pregnancy and talk about next steps.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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How Soon Can I Use a Home Pregnancy Test?
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
Image by amacchio
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
Image by amacchio
How Soon Can I Use a Home Pregnancy Test?
Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken before your missed period. But you may get more accurate results if you wait until after the first day of your missed period.
This is because the amount of the pregnancy hormone, called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in your urine increases with time. The earlier you take the test, the harder it is for the test to detect the hCG.
hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 10 days after conception (when the man's sperm fertilizes the woman's egg).
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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How Soon Can a Pregnancy Be Detected?
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My Pregnancy Test Says I Am Pregnant. What Should I Do Next?
How to do pregnancy test - English
Image by https://zealthy.in/en/Wikimedia
How to do pregnancy test - English
Know what are the important things, you should have, to do pregnancy test at home
Image by https://zealthy.in/en/Wikimedia
My Pregnancy Test Says I Am Pregnant. What Should I Do Next?
If a home pregnancy test shows that you are pregnant, you should call your doctor to schedule an appointment.
Your doctor can use a blood test to tell for sure whether you are pregnant. Seeing your doctor early in your pregnancy also means you can begin prenatal care to help you and your baby stay healthy.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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My Pregnancy Test Says I Am Not Pregnant. Could I Still Be Pregnant?
Pregnancy test
Image by Madprime
Pregnancy test
Diagram of typical immunoassay home pregnancy test which detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). (A) A urine sample is applied to the stick. If pregnant, this should contain hCG. (B) As the sample is absorbed into the stick it goes through free dye-labeled antibodies that recognize and stick to hCG. (C) An anchored set of antibodies stick to and capture hCG molecules (and the attached dye-labeled antibodies), creating the first line. In the "not pregnant" sample no hCG is attached to the dye-labeled antibodies, so they wash past this point and no line appears. (D) A second anchored set of antibodies captures the dye-labeled antibodies, providing a positive control to indicate that the test is working properly.
Image by Madprime
My Pregnancy Test Says I Am Not Pregnant. Could I Still Be Pregnant?
Yes, it is possible you could still be pregnant. It's possible to be pregnant and to have a pregnancy test show that you are not pregnant.
The accuracy of home pregnancy test results varies from woman to woman because:
Each woman ovulates at a different time in her menstrual cycle.
The fertilized egg can implant in a woman's uterus at different times.
Sometimes women get false-negative results when they test too early in the pregnancy. False negative means the test says you are not pregnant when you are.
Problems with the pregnancy can affect the amount of hCG in the urine.
If a test says you are not pregnant, take another pregnancy test in a few days. If you are pregnant, your hCG levels should double every 48 hours. If you think you are pregnant but more tests say you are not, call your doctor.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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What If I Can't Tell Whether My Pregnancy Test Is Positive or Negative?
Positive Pregnancy Test Result
Image by Melo20179
Positive Pregnancy Test Result
The urine is placed on the tip of the pregnancy test where it will travel up to the test region. The HCG hormone first binds to, cultured and placed, anti-HCG monoclonal antibodies with attached enzymes that will trigger a color change. Then the bonded HCG and anti-HCG antibodies will encounter another set of monoclonal anti-HCG antibodies and bind. This will cause the first color change of the test that will indicate the user is pregnant. Finally, any remaining anti-HCG monoclonal antibodies will bind to monoclonal HCG antibodies and trigger the second color change. This second color change is the control test that indicates the pregnancy test is working correctly.
Image by Melo20179
What If I Can't Tell Whether My Pregnancy Test Is Positive or Negative?
Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether the test is positive or negative. The line may be faint, or you may worry whether you peed too much or too little on the stick.
No matter how faint the line or plus sign, if you see it, you are most likely pregnant. The faintness of the line can mean you are early in your pregnancy and your hCG levels are still low.
Also, the pregnancy test should have a control line that tells you whether the test was done correctly. If the control line is blank, then the test did not work and you should take another test.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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What Should I Consider When Buying a Pregnancy Test?
Instructions on how to use a pregnancy kit
Image by https://zealthy.in/en/Wikimedia
Instructions on how to use a pregnancy kit
From this picture, know how to use a pregnancy test kit and get your results in just 5 min
Image by https://zealthy.in/en/Wikimedia
What Should I Consider When Buying a Pregnancy Test?
Cost. Home pregnancy tests come in many different types. Most stores sell them over the counter (without a doctor's prescription). The cost varies depending on the brand and how many tests come in the box.
Accuracy. Most tests can be taken as soon as you miss your period. Some newer, more expensive tests say they can be used 4 or 5 days before your period. Even so, they claim the best accuracy only after the date of your expected period.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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What Are the Different Types of Pregnancy Tests?
Clearblue home pregnancy test system 1985
Image by SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH/Wikimedia
Clearblue home pregnancy test system 1985
Clearblue home pregnancy test system in 1985
Image by SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH/Wikimedia
What Are the Different Types of Pregnancy Tests?
Pregnancy tests check for the hCG hormone in two ways:
Urine test. This type of pregnancy test can be done at home or at a doctor's office.
Blood test. This type of pregnancy test can only be done at a doctor's office. It takes longer than a urine test to get results, but it can detect a pregnancy earlier than a urine test (about 10 days after conception, compared to typically 2 weeks or more for a urine test). Your doctor may use one or both types of blood tests:
A quantitative blood test (also called a beta hCG test) that measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood. It can find even tiny amounts of hCG. It can also tell you and your doctor how many weeks you are pregnant.
A qualitative hCG blood test checks to see whether the pregnancy hormone is present or not. The qualitative hCG blood test is about as accurate as a urine test.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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How Do I Use a Home Pregnancy Test?
Woman's hand and positive pregnancy test
Image by Marco Verch Professional Photographer
Woman's hand and positive pregnancy test
Image by Marco Verch Professional Photographer
How Do I Use a Home Pregnancy Test?
All home pregnancy tests come with written instructions. Depending on the brand you buy, the instructions may vary:
You hold a stick in your urine stream.
You pee into a cup and dip the stick into it.
You pee into a cup and then use a dropper to put a few drops of the urine into a special container.
Different brands tell you to wait different amounts of time, although most are around 2 minutes. Depending on the brand of the test, you may see a line or a plus symbol, or the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant." A line or plus symbol, no matter how faint, means the result is positive.
Most tests also have a "control indicator" in the result window. This control line or symbol shows whether the test is working properly. If the control line or symbol does not appear, the test is not working properly.
Look for the toll-free phone number on the package to call in case of questions about use or results.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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How Accurate Are Home Pregnancy Tests?
Signs of Ovulation
Image by https://zealthy.in/en
Signs of Ovulation
In this image, the signs of ovulation has been listed, which the women generally experience before and after ovulation and through which she can identify whether she is ovulating or not.
Image by https://zealthy.in/en
How Accurate Are Home Pregnancy Tests?
Most home pregnancy tests claim to be up to 99% accurate. But the accuracy depends on:
How you use them. Be sure to check the expiration date and follow the instructions. Wait up to 10 minutes after taking the test to check the results window. Research suggests that waiting 10 minutes will give the most accurate result.
When you use them. The amount of hCG or pregnancy hormone in your urine increases with time. The earlier you take the test, the harder it is for the test to detect the hCG. Most home pregnancy tests can accurately detect pregnancy after a missed period. Also, testing your urine first thing in the morning can boost the accuracy.
Who uses them. Each woman ovulates at a different time in her menstrual cycle. Plus, the fertilized egg can implant in a woman's uterus at different times. Your body makes hCG after implantation occurs. In up to 10% of women, implantation does not occur until after the first day of a missed period. This means home pregnancy tests can be accurate as soon as 1 day after a missed period for some women but not for others.
The brand of test. Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others. For that reason, some tests are better than others at detecting hCG early on. Talk to your pharmacist about which brand may be best for you.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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I Have Irregular Periods - When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
HCG and Pregnancy
Image by TheVisualMD
HCG and Pregnancy
HCG and Pregnancy
Image by TheVisualMD
I Have Irregular Periods and Don't Know When My Next Period Will Start. When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
Most pregnancy tests claim to be the most accurate after a missed period. But irregular periods can make it hard to predict when to take the test.
Periods are considered irregular if:
The number of days between periods is either shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
The number of days in the menstrual cycle varies from month to month. For example, your cycle may be 22 days one month and 33 days the next month.
If you have irregular periods, try counting 36 days from the start of your last menstrual cycle or four weeks from the time you had sex. At this point, if you are pregnant, your levels of hCG should be high enough to detect the pregnancy.
If your test says you are not pregnant, but you still think you may be pregnant, wait a few more days and take another pregnancy test. Or, call your doctor for a blood test.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Can Anything Affect Home Pregnancy Test Results?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Image by https://zealthy.in/en/Wikimedia
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
The process of IVF explained step by step - English
Image by https://zealthy.in/en/Wikimedia
Can Anything Affect Home Pregnancy Test Results?
Yes. If you take medicine with the pregnancy hormone hCG as an active ingredient, you may get a false-positive test result. A false positive is when a test says you are pregnant when you are not.
Some examples of medicines with hCG include certain medicines for infertility. If you are taking medicine to help you get pregnant, you may want to see your doctor for a pregnancy test.
Most medicines should not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines such as birth control and antibiotics. Also, alcohol and illegal drugs do not affect pregnancy test results.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
Image by Nabokov (talk)
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
Image by Nabokov (talk)
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
All pregnancy tests work by detecting the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in the urine or blood. This hormone is present only when a woman is pregnant. If the pregnancy test detects hCG, it will say you are pregnant.
hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 10 days after conception (when the man's sperm fertilizes the woman's egg). The amount of hCG builds up quickly in your body with each passing day you are pregnant.
So if you take a home pregnancy test too soon after implantation, your hCG level may not be high enough to detect the pregnancy. If the test says you are not pregnant, take another pregnancy test in a few days.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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HCG Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy Test
Also called: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Test, HCG Test, HCG total OB
A pregnancy test can tell whether you're pregnant by checking a urine or blood sample for hCG, a hormone made during pregnancy. HCG levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 14 days after conception by a urine test.
Pregnancy Test
Also called: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Test, HCG Test, HCG total OB
A pregnancy test can tell whether you're pregnant by checking a urine or blood sample for hCG, a hormone made during pregnancy. HCG levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 14 days after conception by a urine test.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
(mi.U.)/mL
5
25
Your result is Negative.
Normal levels of the hCG hormone in women who are not pregnant.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Negative.
If you have a negative result, you should consider these results to be uncertain, as they may indicate a false negative. Until you can be sure that you’re not pregnant, you should be cautious and avoid doing anything that could hurt a developing fetus.
Related conditions
A pregnancy test can tell whether you're pregnant by checking a sample of your urine (pee) or blood for a specific hormone. The hormone is called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). High levels of hCG are a sign of pregnancy. hCG increases quickly in the first ten weeks after a fertilized egg attaches to the inside wall of the uterus.
Urine tests for pregnancy are most accurate when you do the test a week or two after you've missed your menstrual period. If you take a urine test too close to the time you got pregnant, the test could say that you are not pregnant even when you really are. That's because your body may not yet have made enough hCG to show up on the test.
You can have an hCG urine test at your health care provider's office or you can do the test yourself with an at-home test kit. These tests are basically the same, so many people use a home pregnancy test before calling their provider. If you follow the instructions carefully, home pregnancy tests are about 97-99% accurate. They can give you the results in minutes.
Blood tests for pregnancy can be done at your provider's office or a lab. These tests can find very small amounts of hCG, so they can accurately show whether you're pregnant before you've missed your period. But hCG blood tests aren't commonly used to check for pregnancy. That's because urine tests are less expensive, very accurate, and provide quicker results than blood tests. hCG blood test results may take hours to more than a day.
Other names: human chorionic gonadotropin test, HCG test, qualitative hCG blood test, quantitative hCG blood test, Beta-hCG urine test, total chorionic gonadotropin, hCG total OB
A pregnancy test is used to find out whether you're pregnant.
You may need this test if you think you're pregnant. Symptoms of pregnancy vary from person to person. The most common sign of early pregnancy is a missed period. Other common signs of early pregnancy may include:
Swollen, tender breasts
Fatigue
Frequent need to urinate (pee)
Nausea and vomiting (also called morning sickness)
Feeling bloated or swollen in your abdomen (belly) or body
If you need to have medical treatment that could harm an unborn baby, you may also need a pregnancy test to make sure that you aren't pregnant.
Home pregnancy tests are quick and easy to use. You can buy a home pregnancy test kit without a prescription. The kits include test sticks or strips that react to hCG in your urine. The steps for doing a test depend on the brand, so it's very important to follow the instructions that come with your test. For most test kits, you'll either:
Hold the test stick or strip in your urine stream
Collect your urine in a cup and dip the test stick or strip into the cup
After waiting a certain number of minutes, you'll check your results on the test stick or strip. The instructions will tell you what to look for. In general, to get the most accurate results with any home pregnancy test, you'll need to:
Check the expiration date before you use the test.
Test your first morning urine. Morning urine usually has more hCG than urine later in the day.
Use a timer. If you guess the timing, your results may not be accurate.
Blood tests are done at your provider's office or a lab. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This process usually takes less than five minutes.
If you're doing a urine test, don't drink large amounts of fluid before collecting your sample. That could dilute the hCG in your urine, and it may not show up on the test. Otherwise, you don't need any special preparations for a pregnancy test that uses urine or blood.
There is no known risk to having a urine test.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Your results will show whether you're pregnant.
A negative result means hCG wasn't found in your sample, so you may not be pregnant. But a negative result doesn't always mean you're not pregnant. If you did a home urine test too soon, your body may not have made enough hCG to show up the test.
hCG levels increase every day during early pregnancy, so it's a good idea to repeat the test again in a week. If you get negative (not pregnant) results on two home tests, but you still think you're pregnant, call your provider. If you get a negative result on a test that your provider does, ask your provider if you need another test.
A positive result means that hCG was found in your sample. That usually means that you're pregnant. It's important to see your provider as soon as possible to make sure you get the right care. If you did a home test, your provider may do another test to confirm your pregnancy.
If you're taking medicine to help you get pregnant (fertility drugs), your test results may show that you're pregnant when you're not. Your provider can check to see whether you're really pregnant.
Most pregnancy tests simply measure whether or not you have hCG in your sample. But certain pregnancy tests also measure how much hCG you have. These tests are called quantitative hCG tests, and they're usually done on blood samples.
The amount of hCG in your body can give your provider important information about your pregnancy and the health of your unborn baby. Quantitative hCG tests are sometimes used to help:
Find out the age of the fetus if you're very early in your pregnancy
Monitor your pregnancy if you have a high risk of miscarriage
Check for certain problems, such as:
Ectopic pregnancy, which is a fertilized egg that tries to grow outside of the uterus. The egg cannot grow into a baby when it's in the wrong place. It must be removed to avoid damage to your organs. This can be a medical emergency.
Molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole), which is an abnormal growth of tissue in the uterus. It's caused by a fertilized egg with such severe genetic problems that it cannot become a baby. The growth can turn into cancer and must be removed.
Problems in the unborn baby, including Down syndrome, other chromosome problems, and certain birth defects (hCG testing is usually part of a group of prenatal screening tests called a "triple" or "quadruple" screen test.)
Your provider may also order a quantitative hCG blood test to help diagnose or monitor health conditions that aren't related to pregnancy. These include ovarian and testicular cancer along with other conditions that can increase hCG levels.
Pregnancy Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Feb 29, 2024]
Quest Diagnostics: hCG, Total, Quantitative [accessed on Sep 12, 2018]
Possible Meanings of a High hCG Level in Pregnancy [accessed on Sep 12, 2018]
American Pregnancy: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): The Pregnancy Hormone [accessed on Sep 12, 2018]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (41)
hCG testing for pregnancy
Diagram of typical immunoassay home pregnancy test which detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). (A) A urine sample is applied to the stick. If pregnant, this should contain hCG. (B) As the sample is absorbed into the stick it goes through free dye-labeled antibodies that recognize and stick to hCG. (C) An anchored set of antibodies stick to and capture hCG molecules (and the attached dye-labeled antibodies), creating the first line. In the "not pregnant" sample no hCG is attached to the dye-labeled antibodies, so they wash past this point and no line appears. (D) A second anchored set of antibodies captures the dye-labeled antibodies, providing a positive control to indicate that the test is working properly.
Image by Madprime
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): hCG Levels Increase Over Time
hCG testing for pregnancy is available to women of child-bearing age. The \"quad\" screen, of which hCG is a component, is especially recommended for women with higher-risk pregnancies as indicated by factors such as maternal age, family history, and disease history. Levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 12-14 days after conception by a urine test. In general the hCG levels will double every 72 hours. The level will reach its peak in the first 8-11 weeks of pregnancy and then will decline and level off for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Image by TheVisualMD
PAPP-A: PAPP-A Screening Tests
The PAPP-A screen is administered as a first-trimester screen integrated with an hCG test and nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound. The test screens for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and trisomy 18. The image featured here shows an ultrasound image of a fetus suspected to have down syndrome. The areas of concern are highlighted in yellow.
Image by TheVisualMD
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
In the very earliest stages of pregnancy, a developing placenta begins to secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The hormone enters maternal circulation once an embryo is implanted in the endometrium, shown in this image. hCG testing is used widely to detect pregnancy. Because hCG levels begin to rise immediately after conception, the test enables accurate, early detection.
Image by TheVisualMD
Hormonal Regulation of Growth
Image by OpenStax College
How do pregnancy tests work? - Tien Nguyen
Video by TED-Ed/YouTube
How Pregnancy Tests Work (Pregnancy Health Guru)
Video by Healthguru/YouTube
How to Take a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test | Parents
Video by Parents/YouTube
How Accurate are Pregnancy Tests? | Pregnancy Questions | Parents
Video by Parents/YouTube
Focus on Health: Quad Screen
Video by Virginia Women's Center/YouTube
Graph of the levels of estrogen, progesterone, beta-hcg throughout pregnancy
Graph of the levels of estrogen, progesterone, beta-hcg throughout pregnancy
Image by osmosis
Fallopian Tube and Ovary - Upon fertilization, the egg secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb.
Fallopian Tube and Ovary: Medical visualization of a cross-section of the ovary, as well as the associated fallopian tube; seen inside the cross-section are a developing follicle, corpus luteum, and corpus albicans. The ovaries are the site of egg production and maturation within the human female. Each month, an oocyte is ejected from a mature follicle to the surface of one of the two ovaries. This event is called ovulation. The finger-like projections of the fallopian tube (fimbriae) sweep up the oocyte into the duct where it awaits fertilization. The remains of the ruptured follicle in the ovary are transformed into a structure called the corpus luteum. Upon fertilization, the egg secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates into a corpus albicans, which is essentially scar tissue and is mostly comprised of collagen.
Image by TheVisualMD
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Ooctye Erupting from Ovary
Visualization of an oocyte erupting from the surface of the ovary. The ovary, which is suspended by the ovarian ligament, is seen in cross section. Revealed are the ovarian follicles which are oocytes in various stages of maturation. Each month, one of the mature follicles ejects it's oocyte through the surface of the ovary. This event is called ovulation. The finger-like projections of the fallopian tube sweep up the oocyte into the duct where it awaits fertilization. Meanwhile, the remains of the ruptured follicle in the ovary are transformed into a structure called the corpus luteum which eventually degenerates if fertilization does not occur. If fertilized, however, the egg secretes the a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb.
Image by TheVisualMD
Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A
PAPP-A Screening Tests : The PAPP-A screen is administered as a first-trimester screen integrated with an hCG test and nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound. The test screens for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and trisomy 18. The image featured here shows an ultrasound image of a fetus suspected to have down syndrome. The areas of concern are highlighted in yellow.
Image by TheVisualMD
Ectopic pregnancy
Human Embryo (7th week of pregnancy, 5th week p.o.)
This photo of an opened oviduct with an ectopic pregnancy features a spectacularly well preserved 10-millimeter embryo. It is uncommon to see any embryo at all in an ectopic, and for one to be this well preserved (and undisturbed by the prosector's knife) is quite unusual.
Even an embryo this tiny shows very distinct anatomic features, including tail, limb buds, heart (which actually protrudes from the chest), eye cups, cornea/lens, brain, and prominent segmentation into somites. The gestational sac is surrounded by myriad chorionic villi resembling elongated party balloons. This embryo is about five weeks old (or seven weeks in the biologically misleading but eminently practical dating system used in obstetrics).
The photo was taken on Kodak Elite 200 slide film, with a Minolta X-370 camera and 100mm f/4 Rokkor bellows lens at near-full extension. The formalin-fixed specimen was immersed in tap-water and pinned to a tray lined with black velvet. The exposure was 1/4 second at f/8.
Image by Ed Uthman, MD
Ectopic pregnancy
Schematic drawing of various types of ectopic pregnancy.
N=normal nidation
a=peritoneal (abdominal) pregnancy
b=cornual pregnancy
c=isthmic tubal pregnancy
d=ampullar tubal pregnancy
e=fimbric tubal pregnancy
f=ovarial pregnancy
g=cervical pregnancy
h=intramural pregnancy
Image by Hic et nunc
Ectopic pregnancy
Transvaginal ultrasonography of an ectopic pregnancy, showing the field of view in the following image.
Image by Mikael Haggstrom, from original by BruceBlaus
Pre-Embryonic Cleavages
Pre-embryonic cleavages make use of the abundant cytoplasm of the conceptus as the cells rapidly divide without changing the total volume.
Image by CNX Openstax
Pre-Embryonic Development
Ovulation, fertilization, pre-embryonic development, and implantation occur at specific locations within the female reproductive system in a time span of approximately 1 week.
Image by CNX Openstax
Development of the Embryonic Disc
Formation of the embryonic disc leaves spaces on either side that develop into the amniotic cavity and the yolk sac.
Image by CNX Openstax
Germ Layers
Formation of the three primary germ layers occurs during the first 2 weeks of development. The embryo at this stage is only a few millimeters in length.
Image by CNX Openstax
Fates of Germ Layers in Embryo
Following gastrulation of the embryo in the third week, embryonic cells of the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm begin to migrate and differentiate into the cell lineages that will give rise to mature organs and organ systems in the infant.
Image by CNX Openstax
Cross-Section of the Placenta
In the placenta, maternal and fetal blood components are conducted through the surface of the chorionic villi, but maternal and fetal bloodstreams never mix directly.
Image by CNX Openstax
Newborn
A single fertilized egg develops over the span of nine months into an infant consisting of trillions of cells and capable of surviving outside the womb. (credit: “Seattleye”/flickr.com)
Image by CNX Openstax (credit: “Seattleye”/flickr.com)
Placenta Previa
An embryo that implants too close to the opening of the cervix can lead to placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix.
Image by CNX Openstax
Fallopian Tube and Ovary
Medical visualization of a cross-section of the ovary, as well as the associated fallopian tube; seen inside the cross-section are a developing follicle, corpus luteum, and corpus albicans. The ovaries are the site of egg production and maturation within the human female. Each month, an oocyte is ejected from a mature follicle to the surface of one of the two ovaries. This event is called ovulation. The finger-like projections of the fallopian tube (fimbriae) sweep up the oocyte into the duct where it awaits fertilization. The remains of the ruptured follicle in the ovary are transformed into a structure called the corpus luteum. Upon fertilization, the egg secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates into a corpus albicans, which is essentially scar tissue and is mostly comprised of collagen.
Image by TheVisualMD
Choragon (HCG) 5000 IUs
Image by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Prepregnancy - Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 1
12 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 2
16 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 3
24 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 4
40 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 5
Prepregnancy - Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth
12 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth_2
16 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth_3
24 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth_4
40 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth_5
Interactive by TheVisualMD
How To Inject Low-Dose hCG | Fertility Treatment | CVS Specialty®
Video by CVS Health/YouTube
How To Inject Pregnyl® (hCG) Subcutaneously | Fertility Treatment | CVS Specialty®
Video by CVS Health/YouTube
How To Inject Pregnyl® (hCG) Intramuscularly | Fertility Treatment | CVS Specialty®
Video by CVS Health/YouTube
How high should my HCG levels be at the beginning of pregnancy?
Video by IntermountainMoms/YouTube
What level of blood Beta HCG confirms pregnancy? - Dr. Phani Madhuri
Video by Doctors' Circle - World's Largest Health Platform/YouTube
I've had positive, faint positive, and negative pregnancy tests. Do HCG levels fluctuate?
Video by IntermountainMoms/YouTube
hCG in Early Pregnancy, Explained - How Much Is Normal? - Pregnancy Q&A
Video by What To Expect/YouTube
Embryo and Fetus Development
Embryo and Fetus Development, placenta and amniotic sac
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryos at 4 to 8 Weeks
Rapid differentiation of cells and an astounding rate of growth characterize the first weeks of embryonic development. At 4 weeks, the embryo is the size of a grain of rice. Its heart has already begun to beat, and the early divisions of what will be the heart's four chambers are apparent. At 6 weeks, the embryo may be half an inch (10-14 mm) long and is starting to acquire a human face, although it is impossible to differentiate male from female embryos at this stage. An 8-week-old embryo may measure over an inch (28-30 mm) in length, and all of the body's parts-cells, tissues, organs, systems-have been differentiated.
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryo at 6 Weeks
At 6 weeks, the embryo is only about half an inch (10-14 mm) long and weighs less than a paper clip. It's possible to see the tiny embryonic heart beating. The embryo is starting to acquire a human face. The folds of the eyelids and the jaws form, and the tip of the nose can be clearly seen. Ears are developing inside and out: internally, the semicircular canals are laid down, while externally mounds of tissue erupt where the whorls of the ears will grow. The eyes become pigmented and continue their extremely complex development, as delicate eye muscles begin to form and nerve cells appear in the retina. At this point male and female fetuses look identical both internally and externally. External genital development consists of an indifferent penis, which will either form into a penis and scrotum or clitoris and labia.
Image by TheVisualMD
Positive Pregnancy Test Result
The urine is placed on the tip of the pregnancy test where it will travel up to the test region. The HCG hormone first binds to, cultured and placed, anti-HCG monoclonal antibodies with attached enzymes that will trigger a color change. Then the bonded HCG and anti-HCG antibodies will encounter another set of monoclonal anti-HCG antibodies and bind. This will cause the first color change of the test that will indicate the user is pregnant. Finally, any remaining anti-HCG monoclonal antibodies will bind to monoclonal HCG antibodies and trigger the second color change. This second color change is the control test that indicates the pregnancy test is working correctly.
Image by Melo20179
HCG and Pregnancy
HCG and Pregnancy
Image by TheVisualMD
Pregnant Woman with Fetus after Conception 0 Months three quarter view
Pregnant Woman with Fetus at 3 Months three quarter view
Pregnant Woman with Fetus at 4 Months
Pregnant Woman with Fetus at 6 Months three quarter view
Pregnant Woman with Fetus at 9 Months three quarter view
0 Months three quarter view
3 Month Pregnant Woman with Fetus
4 Month Pregnant Woman with Fetus
5 Month Pregnant Woman with Fetus
9 Month Pregnant Woman with Fetus
Interactive by TheVisualMD
hCG testing for pregnancy
Madprime
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): hCG Levels Increase Over Time
TheVisualMD
PAPP-A: PAPP-A Screening Tests
TheVisualMD
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
TheVisualMD
Hormonal Regulation of Growth
OpenStax College
4:34
How do pregnancy tests work? - Tien Nguyen
TED-Ed/YouTube
2:42
How Pregnancy Tests Work (Pregnancy Health Guru)
Healthguru/YouTube
1:49
How to Take a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test | Parents
Parents/YouTube
1:48
How Accurate are Pregnancy Tests? | Pregnancy Questions | Parents
Parents/YouTube
3:08
Focus on Health: Quad Screen
Virginia Women's Center/YouTube
Graph of the levels of estrogen, progesterone, beta-hcg throughout pregnancy
osmosis
Fallopian Tube and Ovary - Upon fertilization, the egg secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb.
Also called: Home Pregnancy Test, HPT, Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy home test is used to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. It helps determine whether or not you have elevated hCG levels indicating that you are pregnant. You can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
Pregnancy Home Use Test
Also called: Home Pregnancy Test, HPT, Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy home test is used to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. It helps determine whether or not you have elevated hCG levels indicating that you are pregnant. You can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Negative.
If you have a negative result, you should consider these results to be uncertain, as they may indicate a false negative. Until you can be sure that you’re not pregnant, you should be cautious and avoid doing anything that could hurt a developing fetus.
Related conditions
This is a home-use test kit to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. You produce this hormone only when you are pregnant.
hCG is a hormone produced by your placenta when you are pregnant. It appears shortly after the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. If you are pregnant, this hormone increases very rapidly. If you have a 28 day menstrual cycle, you can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
This is a qualitative test -- you find out whether or not you have elevated hCG levels indicating that you are pregnant.
You should use this test to find out if you are pregnant.
The accuracy of this test depends on how well you follow the instructions and interpret the results. If you mishandle or misunderstand the test kit, you may get poor results.
Most pregnancy tests have about the same ability to detect hCG, but their ability to show whether or not you are pregnant depends on how much hCG you are producing. If you test too early in your cycle or too close to the time you became pregnant, your placenta may not have had enough time to produce hCG. This would mean that you are pregnant but you got a negative test result.
Because many women have irregular periods, and women may miscalculate when their period is due, 10 to 20 pregnant women out of every 100 will not detect their pregnancy on the first day of their missed period.
For most home pregnancy tests, you either hold a test strip in your urine stream or you collect your urine in a cup and dip your test strip into the cup. If you are pregnant, most test strips produce a colored line, but this will depend on the brand you purchased. Read the instructions for the test you bought and follow them carefully. Make sure you know how to get good results. The test usually takes only about 5 minutes.
The different tests for sale vary in their abilities to detect low levels of hCG. For the most reliable results, test 1-2 weeks after you miss your period. There are some tests for sale that are sensitive enough to show you are pregnant before you miss your period.
You can improve your chances for an accurate result by using your first morning urine for the test. If you are pregnant, it will have more hCG in it than later urines. If you think you are pregnant, but your first test was negative, you can take the test again after several days. Since the amount of hCG increases rapidly when you are pregnant, you may get a positive test on later days. Some test kits come with more than one test in them to allow you to repeat the test.
The home pregnancy test and the test your doctor uses are similar in their abilities to detect hCG, however your doctor is probably more experienced in running the test. If you produce only a small amount of hCG, your doctor may not be able to detect it any better than you could. Your doctor may also use a blood test to see if you are pregnant. Finally, your doctor may have more information about you from your history, physical exam, and other tests that may give a more reliable result.
Usually, yes, but you must be sure to read and interpret the results correctly.
No, there are several reasons why you could receive false negative test results. If you tested too early in your cycle, your placenta may not have had time to produce enough hCG for the test to detect. Or, you may not have waited long enough before you took this test.
If you have a negative result, you would be wise to consider this a tentative finding. You should not use medications and should consider avoiding potentially harmful behaviors, such as smoking or drinking alcohol, until you have greater certainty that you are not pregnant.
You will probably recognize incorrect results with the passage of time. You may detect false negatives by the unexpected onset of menses (regular vaginal bleeding associated with “periods”.) Repeat testing and/or other investigations such as ultrasound may provide corrected results.
Pregnancy | FDA. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Apr 29, 2019 [accessed on Apr 29, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003619.htm [accessed on Oct 03, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (7)
How to Take a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test | Parents
Video by Parents/YouTube
How Pregnancy Tests Work (Pregnancy Health Guru)
Video by Healthguru/YouTube
How Accurate are Pregnancy Tests? | Pregnancy Questions | Parents
Video by Parents/YouTube
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
Image by Nabokov (talk)
Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy Test
Image by JuliaFiedler
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
Image by amacchio
Accident, Baby, Checking, Device
Image by rawpixel/Pixabay
1:49
How to Take a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test | Parents
Parents/YouTube
2:42
How Pregnancy Tests Work (Pregnancy Health Guru)
Healthguru/YouTube
1:48
How Accurate are Pregnancy Tests? | Pregnancy Questions | Parents
Parents/YouTube
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
Nabokov (talk)
Pregnancy Test
JuliaFiedler
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
amacchio
Accident, Baby, Checking, Device
rawpixel/Pixabay
Placental Lactogen Test
Placental Lactogen Test
Also called: Human Placental Lactogen, hPL, Chorionic Somatomammotropin, Choriomammotropin
The human placental lactogen (hPL) test screens for placenta tumors and monitor placental function during pregnancy. It starts being detectable in week 6 of pregnancy and increases through week 34 to remain stable until the end of pregnancy.
Placental Lactogen Test
Also called: Human Placental Lactogen, hPL, Chorionic Somatomammotropin, Choriomammotropin
The human placental lactogen (hPL) test screens for placenta tumors and monitor placental function during pregnancy. It starts being detectable in week 6 of pregnancy and increases through week 34 to remain stable until the end of pregnancy.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
μg/mL
10
Your result is Normal.
Normal results vary based on the laboratory and the method used.
Related conditions
Human placental lactogen (hPL) is a hormone that is secreted during pregnancy and is directly associated to placental function and fetal well-being.
Excessive levels or low levels of this hormone in pregnancy or the presence of this hormone in males or non-pregnant woman can help reveal the existence of a placenta-related tumor.
This test measures the amount of this hormone in a sample of your blood.
It is used to help identify trophoblastic tumors and choriocarcinomas, and it is usually part of the pregnancy screening tests to monitor placenta function and predict pregnancy outcome.
To monitor pregnancy and screen for tumors, especially after an abnormal ultrasound or when maternal high blood pressure (gestational hypertension) occurs. In some cases, when there is a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus.
A healthcare professional takes a blood sample from a vein, generally in your arm, using a needle. A small amount of blood is collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.
No fasting or other preparations are needed.
You may feel a little sting when the needle is inserted and extracted but otherwise is a quick procedure. You may also experience bruising and a little bleeding, as well as mild soreness for a short amount of time after the extraction.
Normal values vary according to the person's sex, pregnancy status, and gestational age.
Increased levels suggest:
Multiple placentae
Diabetes
Molar pregnancy
Trophoblastic Tumor
Cancer of the liver, lung, or leukocytes (white blood cells)
Decreased levels suggest:
Preeclampsia
Hydatidiform mole
Choriocarcinoma
Placental insufficiency
Fetal distress
During pregnancy, this test is usually performed along with other tests such as unconjugated estriol, progesterone, and non-stress tests to help predict the pregnancy outcome.
Quest Diagnostics: Human Placental Lactogen (hPL) [accessed on Aug 25, 2018]
FHPL - Clinical: Human Placental Lactogen (HPL) [accessed on Nov 14, 2018]
Human Placental Lactogen: Function During Pregnancy, Test, and Results [accessed on Nov 14, 2018]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (8)
Human Embryo 26 Day Old (Week 6 for Gestational Age) with Placenta
Computer Generated Image from Micro-MRI, actual size of embryo = 4.0 mm - This image provides a left-sided view of the embryo during its fourth week of development. The age is calculated from the day of fertilization. The developing spinal cord can be seen, highlighted in dark yellow. The indentations in head region are pharyngeal arches, which contribute to formation and develop of the head and neck regions. The developing heart is highlighted in red, the left atrium can be observed. Early growth of the cardiovascular system begins during the third week, when blood vessels form, and continue into the following weeks of development. The round, red structure beside the embryo is the placenta. The placenta with the umbilical cord functions as a mean for transporting nutrients, waste products, and gases between mother and embryo.
Image by TheVisualMD
Placenta
Image by BruceBlaus
Pregnant Woman with Visualization of Fetus Inside Womb
In only nine months, you and all the working parts of your body develop from one fertilized cell. Your cardiovascular system, comprised of the heart, blood, and vessels, is one of the first systems to form. Even an embryo, smaller than a pea, needs a cardiovascular system. The fetus is completely dependent on the mother for nutrients and waste disposal through the umbilical cord and placenta.
Image by TheVisualMD
Human Fetus 14 Week Gestational Age, 12 Week Fetal Age Inside Amniotic Sac
Computer generated image recontructed from scanned human data. This image presents a left-sided view of a 12-week-old fetus inside the amniotic sac. The age is calculated from the day of fertilization. The organ systems have developed during the embryonic period and continue to differentiate at this phase. The left external ear can be seen in the head region, having now fully developed. The left part of the rib cage can be seen below the raised arm, marked in white, while the fingers and toes are clearly defined. The red tube-like structure protruding out of the fetus is the umbilical cord, a transport mechanism for exchanging gas and nutrients between mother and fetus. Surrounding the entire fetus in a dark mauve color is the placenta.
Image by TheVisualMD
Nurture & Protect
The placenta is an indispensable but temporary organ that physiologically joins the mother and the developing fetus. This remarkable, shared structure is the centerpiece of the complex dance that takes place between the needs of the mother’s body and the demands of the growing fetus. The placenta’s role is to facilitate the constant exchange of nutrients and wastes, including gases, as well as hormones and key immune factors.
Image by TheVisualMD
Nurture & Protect
The placenta is an indispensable but temporary organ that physiologically joins the mother and the developing fetus. This remarkable, shared structure is the centerpiece of the complex dance that takes place between the needs of the mother’s body and the demands of the growing fetus. The placenta’s role is to facilitate the constant exchange of nutrients and wastes, including gases, as well as hormones and key immune factors.
Image by TheVisualMD
Placental Lactogen
Human placental lactogen is a polypeptide placental hormone. Its structure and function is similar to that of human growth hormone. It modifies the metabolic state of the mother during pregnancy to facilitate the energy supply of the fetus. HPL has anti-insulin properties. HPL is a hormone secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast during pregnancy. Like human growth hormone, HPL is encoded by genes on chromosome 17q22-24. It was identified in 1963.
Image by TheVisualMD
Placenta
Schematic view of the placenta
Image by OpenStax College
Human Embryo 26 Day Old (Week 6 for Gestational Age) with Placenta
TheVisualMD
Placenta
BruceBlaus
Pregnant Woman with Visualization of Fetus Inside Womb
TheVisualMD
Human Fetus 14 Week Gestational Age, 12 Week Fetal Age Inside Amniotic Sac