Pregnancy test facts…and fiction

Here are some of the more commonly-held beliefs about taking a home pregnancy test, some of which are fact; others, fiction.

Fact or fiction? Your body starts making hCG after implantation.

Fact! After the fertilized egg implants, the placenta starts producing hCG, the pregnancy hormone. A woman’s hCG levels rise very quickly in early pregnancy, but the amount of hCG that a woman has can vary, depending on the individual. Some women have a lot of hCG right away, while others’ bodies take a little longer to start making noticeable amounts of hCG. This is why testing after a missed period can produce more accurate results.

Fact or fiction? Antibiotics can interfere with pregnancy test results.

Fiction. Certain fertility drugs that contain hCG could affect the results of a pregnancy test, but according to the Mayo Clinic, antibiotics or other hormonal medications like birth control pills don’t interfere with the results of a home pregnancy test.

Fact or fiction? You can use an ovulation test like a home pregnancy test to pick up your pregnancy early.

Fiction. In theory, you could, but it wouldn’t be worth the time or money. Basically, home pregnancy tests look for levels of hCG in a woman’s urine, and ovulation tests look for levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine. Both hCG and LH show up nearly the exact same on an ovulation test, so if a woman has enough of either hormone in her body, an ovulation test could technically detect the hCG and show that she is pregnant.

The reason why you can’t use an ovulation test in place of a home pregnancy test is because home pregnancy tests are much more sensitive to hCG. Unlike ovulation tests, home pregnancy tests can pick up on the pregnancy hormone much earlier than ovulation tests. If you use an ovulation test to check for pregnancy, you have a much higher risk of a false negative (and honestly, who wants or even has time for that?).

Fact or fiction? A blood test is the only way to confirm 100% if you are pregnant.

Fiction. It’s true that blood tests are more accurate than home pregnancy tests, but only slightly. Blood tests have an accuracy rate of 99%, compared to the 97% accuracy rate of home pregnancy tests that use urine. If you get a positive pregnancy test at home, your provider will likely perform another urine test in his or her office, along with an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy.

Fact or fiction? Tests that use pink dye are better than tests with blue dye.

Both? There’s not a ton of scientific evidence about this, but many women report that blue dye fades and blurs in a way that makes it much harder to read on a pregnancy test. No matter what test you use, if you get a positive, make sure to test again a few days later, and then schedule an appointment with your provider.

Sources

• “Pregnancy Test.” MedlinePlus. US National Library of Medicine, Oct 2016. Web. Accessed 8/18/17. Available at https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003432.htm.
• Liza Torborg. “Mayo Clinic Q and A: Ovulation predictor kits can be useful for couples trying to conceive.” MayoClinic. Mayo Clinic Foundation, Sep 2015. Web. Accessed 8/18/17. Available at https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-ovulation-predictor-kits-can-be-useful-for-couples-trying-to-conceive/.
• “Getting pregnant.” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/18/17. Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940?pg=2.

Are you pregnant or is your period just late? Here’s how to tell

Learn more about actual pregnancy symptoms before you start getting concerned.

The science behind symptoms

Pregnant or not, your body starts releasing progesterone after you ovulate. This hormone keeps getting released and is at its highest point around five to seven days after ovulation. If a woman is pregnant, her body continues to produce progesterone in high amounts to help sustain the pregnancy. If she’s not pregnant, her progesterone levels decrease, and she’ll start her menstrual period.

Thanks also to progesterone, the symptoms of early pregnancy and your period are nearly identical. Cramps, fatigue, dizziness, breast tenderness – all early signs of pregnancy, but also possible signs of your period coming.

What about light spotting a week after ovulation? It could indicate implantation bleeding, but most women don’t experience this symptom and spotting can happen for other reasons.

What about nausea? This symptom is typically attributed to hCG, the pregnancy hormone, but it can be caused by other things, too (including PMS).

In the weeks between ovulation and a pregnancy test, many women “symptom spot”; that is, they take note of certain physical symptoms and think that they are definitely signs of early pregnancy. Is symptom spotting so wrong? Absolutely not, and it can even be kind of fun, as long as you know that only a blood test can tell you for sure if you’re pregnant.

Is there anything I can look for?

Probably the most reliable physical symptom of early pregnancy is a missed period. Noticing that your breasts are getting increasingly sore, or experiencing symptoms that you don’t usually get around the time of your period, are also signs that you could be pregnant. But again, a blood test will be the best way to know for sure.

Final thoughts: things to keep in mind

The bottom line is that without a blood test, it’s nearly impossible to know for sure whether you’re pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so it’s really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period.

If you’re paying attention to your symptoms, just know that it can get a little stressful for some women. So if you find yourself symptom spotting, try to be aware of how often you do it, and how you feel – does it distract you or stress you out? If it starts to get emotionally taxing for you, look for ways to stop paying attention to your symptoms.

Finally, make sure you’ve scheduled a pregnancy blood test, and keep taking your prenatal vitamins! Whether it’s sooner or later, when you get that BFP, you’ll be glad you did!

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.
• Lori A Bastian, Haywood Brown. “Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of early pregnancy.” UptoDate. UptoDate Inc., Jul 2017. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis-of-early-pregnancy?source=search_result&search=waiting%20for%20pregnancy%20test&selectedTitle=1~150.
• “Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy.” ACOG. FAQ126 from the American College of Obstetricans and Gynecologists, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Morning-Sickness-Nausea-and-Vomiting-of-Pregnancy.

No period, not pregnant: What does it mean?

The rollercoaster of emotions that come with taking a pregnancy test is often stressful, but don’t give up just yet. Here’s what it means to have no period for a while and still not be pregnant.

Reasons why a test could be wrong

Here are a couple reasons why you may have received a false negative.

• Taken before the first missed period: Pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, a hormone that the body starts to make when an egg has been fertilized. Because the tests look for the presence of this hormone, it is possible that they miss the hormone in the very early stages of pregnancy, mainly in the days leading up to the first missed period. For the most accurate readings, it’s best to wait until at least the missed period, if not a few days after.
• Fluids diluting urine: Yes, you should still be drinking lots of water! But taking a pregnancy test later in the day can sometimes mean that urine is diluted and hCG is more difficult for the test to detect. The hormone levels are highest in the morning too, so for the most accurate results try to take the test as early in the day as possible, preferably right after you wake up.
• Test directions not followed correctly: We don’t mean to suggest that you would miss a step . . . but could you have missed a step? Some tests require waiting a specific amount of time before reading the results. Pregnancy tests also have an expiration date, so we recommend buying new ones as opposed to using old ones that could be in your house.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, it’s always a good idea to read and closely follow the directions on home pregnancy tests, even if you consider yourself a pro by now. There’s also always the possibility that the negative test is accurate, and your period is simply a few days late. Home pregnancy tests are great, but after a positive result, it’s still important to visit your healthcare provider for a blood test to confirm.

Sources

• “Pregnancy test.” MedlinePlus. US National Library of Medicine, Oct 4 2016. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003432.htm.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.

How to time your pregnancy test properly

Here’s what you should know about this timing – and the science behind our recommendations.

First, understand how home pregnancy tests work

In the earliest stages of pregnancy, a fertilized egg will begin to implant in the uterine lining. This happens around four to six days after conception. Once implantation starts, the placenta starts producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone. Home pregnancy tests work by determining if there is hCG present in urine – and, as you might know, home pregnancy tests ask you to pee to a stick to measure this.

Because hCG doesn’t show up until after implantation begins, if you don’t wait a few days to make sure the embryo has had a chance to implant, there’s the chance of getting a false negative – meaning that the pregnancy test reads as a “negative” even though pregnancy has occured. Implantation usually happens six to twelve days after ovulation, so the absolute earliest that you can test for pregnancy is a week after ovulation. For even more accurate results, it’s preferable to wait a few extra days so that levels of hCG can rise to more detectable levels. Waiting a few days after the first day of a missed period usually guarantees the most accurate results from a home pregnancy test.

Utilize Ovia Health to help with pregnancy testing

When it comes to pregnancy test timing, you probably know it’s best to take it at least one or more days after your next period is due. But your menstrual and ovulation cycle can fluctuate every month, meaning certain days of your cycle might change on a monthly basis and make it harder for you to know exactly when it’s time for you to take a pregnancy test. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that nearly 20% of individuals who are pregnant get a false negative, because they’ve miscalculated their period or it arrived later than expected that month.

This is where tracking is helpful. Different ovulation symptoms can suggest that you’re in a certain part of your cycle. For example, in the luteal phase, which is when the egg implants and your body starts making the pregnancy hormone, your body releases progesterone, which can affect your moods, breast tenderness, and cervical mucus. Spotting might happen as a sign of implantation bleeding, too. These kinds of symptoms tell Ovia what phase of your cycle you’re in.

When you log your data consistently, Ovia takes all of the information you provide, like your period dates, cervical fluid consistency, basal body temperature, symptoms, and moods, and uses it to predict when you’re ovulating and when is the best time to take a pregnancy test. If Ovia tells you to test on a day that’s different from what you expected, this could be because of natural fluctuations in your cycle, as well as symptoms that suggest to Ovia that you’re at a different day in your cycle than you previously thought.

Other things to consider

Cycles fluctuate month by month, and it can be difficult to know for sure when one phase of your cycle ends and another begins. And if you’re patiently waiting for some positive news, we know you can’t get it soon enough – so we’re here to help. By consistently logging your symptoms and moods, you’re providing Ovia with important information that will help us predict the best – and most accurate – day for you to take a pregnancy test.

Sources

• “Home use tests: Pregnancy.” FDA. US Food and Drug Administration, Jun 5 2016. Web.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2 2015. Web.
• Connie Matthiessen. “Week 01 to Week 04 of Pregnancy.” HealthDay. HealthDay, Jan 20 2017. Web.

Here are the TTC acronyms you should know about

AF:

Aunt Flow. Your period.

Thanks for the invite, but my Aunt Flow’s in town. I’m gonna go home and treat her to some wine and reruns.

BBT:

Basal Body Temperature. BBT may spike right before ovulation, so many women track it to help them pinpoint their ovulation.

The very first thing I did this morning was grab my thermometer and take my BBT.

BCP:

Birth Control Pills.

In almost no time after I stopped taking BCP, I was pregnant.

BD:

Baby Dance. Sexual intercourse, usually done on the most fertile days of your cycle. (Can also mean baby dust, which is a phrase you use to wish someone good luck.)

My ovulation test is positive, which makes me want to dance – the BD, that is!

BFN/BFP:

Big Fat Negative/Big Fat Positive (on your pregnancy test).

Every time I buy a pregnancy test, I think about how it could be the one to show the BFP.

BOB:

Baby on the Brain!

I’m having a hard time shopping with BOB. All I can think about is tiny socks and pacifiers, which makes it impossible to keep track of my grocery list.

CD:

Cycle Day. A specific day in your menstrual cycle (or fertility treatment cycle). To track it, start by counting from the first day of your last menstrual cycle.

It varies each cycle, but normally I ovulate on CD 13, or 13 days after the first day of my period.

CM or CF:

Cervical Mucus or Cervical Fluid. Changes in cervical fluid indicate that a woman is at different stages of her cycle.

At the most fertile point of each cycle, my CM is clear and super stretchy.

CP:

Chemical pregnancy. A very early miscarriage.

My doctor recommended that I put off trying again until one cycle after my last CP.

DD:

Darling daughter. A daughter you already have.

DH, DD, and I go on vacation next week.

DH:

Dear husband.

I’m 42 and DH is 43.

DPO:

Days Past Ovulation, or Cycle Date Post Ovulation.

By 7DPO of the TWW, I’m already wondering if every little cramp is a sign of pregnancy.

DS:

Darling son.

It’s a challenge to care for DD and DS while also TTC.

ENDO:

Endometriosis. A chronic disease in which tissue that is supposed to grow in the uterus grows outside of it. Millions of women experience this condition and it can affect fertility.

After getting diagnosed with ENDO, I was able to find a huge and supportive online community of other women who had the same condition.

EWCM:

Egg White Cervical Mucus. When your cervical mucus looks like egg whites, it may mean that you’re at your most fertile point.

Nothing is as exciting as seeing EWCM when TTC!

FMU:

First Morning Urine. Most pregnancy tests require that women take them the very first time they pee in the morning. In the morning, urine typically has the highest concentration of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or hCG, an early pregnancy hormone.

I tested with FMU and got a faint BFP.

FP:

Follicular Phase. The phase of the menstrual cycle when follicles mature in the ovary. This phase begins on day 1 of your period, and ends with ovulation.

I’m so excited to try and get pregnant, I just want my FP to be over!

hCG:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. A hormone produced during early pregnancy that helps the baby grow.

I had a positive test, which means there was enough hCG in my urine to detect a pregnancy.

HPT:

Home Pregnancy Test. A pregnancy test that you can take at home. This morning my HPT showed a BFP – but I’m going to my doctor’s to take a blood test to confirm.

IUI:

Intrauterine Insemination. A specific kind of fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into a woman’s uterus during ovulation.

After 2 years of TTC, we’ve decided to try IUI.

IVF:

In Vitro Fertilization. A procedure in which an egg is fertilized in a lab and then implanted.

We went through several rounds of IVF before getting a BFP.

LMP:

Last Menstrual Period. The first day of your last period.

I started my LMP on June 6th.

LPD:

Luteal Phase Defect. If the corpus luteum didn’t form properly, a luteal phase defect may occur, causing a short luteal phase. This can make it hard for a woman to get pregnant.

I’ve been really accurate with my charting, because I suspect I might have LPD and I want to have a lot of information to show my provider.

LSC:

Low Sperm Count. Commonly the cause of male infertility.

A semen analysis showed that my partner has an LSC.

M/C:

Miscarriage.

I got my first BFP a year ago, which ended in a really upsetting MC.

MF:

Male Factor Infertility.

To help with the MF issues, we found an infertility counselor who was covered by our insurance.

NTNP:

Not trying for pregnancy, not preventing pregnancy.

I just stopped taking BCP, so I guess that we’re NTNP.

O or OV:

Ovulation.

I O’ed on CD15 and BD on days 13 and 15.

OPK or OPT:

Ovulation Predictor Kit or Ovulation Predictor Test. These tests tell you when your body has a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which indicates the onset of ovulation.

I just got a positive OPK, which means BD as soon as possible!

PCO, PCOS, or PCOD:

Polycystic Ovaries, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Disease. A condition in which a woman’s levels of estrogen and progesterone are unbalanced. Women with PCOS develop cysts on their ovaries, and the condition can cause infertility.

My doctor thinks I have PCOS, so I’m waiting to hear back about my blood work.

POAS:

Pee On Stick. Taking a pregnancy test (peeing on a stick), usually at home.

I’m 7DPO and it’s so hard to wait to POAS!

RE:

Reproductive Endocrinologist. A type of fertility specialist.

I’m meeting with an RE tomorrow to go over my fertility test results.

SA:

Semen Analysis. This is a test that providers can use to determine the quality and quantity of a man’s sperm.

The results of his SA show he has low sperm count, low motility, and poor morphology.

SO:

 Significant other.

My SO and I have decided that next month we’ll start TTC.

TWW or 2WW: Two Week Wait. The time period between when you ovulate and can take a pregnancy test.

 just started my TWW and I need to find some ways to distract myself!

TTC:

Trying to Conceive.

I haven’t decided who I want to tell that we’re TTC.

U/S:

Ultrasound.

Our first U/S is scheduled for the end of the month.

When to consider a false negative in a pregnancy test

The rollercoaster of emotions that come with taking a pregnancy test is often stressful. And if you’re actively TTC, we understand that a negative test result can be plenty disappointing. But don’t give up hope just yet. A false negative – when a pregnancy test says “not pregnant” but the test user is actually pregnant – do happen, and here are a couple of reasons why you may have received one.

Why a test could be wrong

There are several reasons the pregnancy test could be showing a false negative.

1. Test was taken too early

Pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) a hormone that the body starts to make when an egg has been fertilized. Because the tests look for the presence of this hormone, it is possible that they miss the hormone in the very early stages of pregnancy, mainly in the days leading up to the first missed period. For the most accurate readings, it’s best to wait until at least the missed period, if not a few days after.

2. Fluids are diluting urine

Yes, you should still be drinking lots of water! But taking a pregnancy test later in the day can sometimes mean that urine is diluted and hCG is more difficult for the test to detect. The hormone levels are highest in the morning, so for the most accurate results try to take the test as early in the day as possible, preferably right after you wake up.

3. Test directions weren’t followed correctly

We don’t mean to suggest that you would miss a step . . . but could you have missed a step? Some tests require waiting a specific amount of time before reading the results. Pregnancy tests also have an expiration date, so we recommend buying new ones as opposed to using old ones that you might have had on hand for a while.

Other things to consider

Ultimately, it’s always a good idea to read and closely follow the directions on home pregnancy tests, even if you consider yourself a pro by now. There’s also always the possibility that the negative test is accurate, and your period is simply a few days late. Home pregnancy tests are great, but after a positive result, it’s still important to visit your healthcare provider for a blood test to confirm.

Why might I have tested negative?

One of the most common reasons women test negatively inaccurately is by taking a pregnancy test too early. You may be able to test as early as 10 days after ovulation, but it usually takes an average of 13-15 days after ovulation and fertilization for a pregnancy test to turn positive. Many women test too early, use a test with low sensitivity, or use the test incorrectly, which can lead to false negatives.

Other causes of false negative pregnancy tests include diluted urine, expired tests, improper testing, and ectopic pregnancy. If you test negative but have not gotten your period, make sure to take multiple tests throughout the week, and consult your healthcare provider with further questions.

Getting proper results

Women who do not use fertility and ovulation trackers often miscalculate the date of their next periods, meaning that it is possible they have not missed their period but simply haven’t started it yet. Knowing exactly if and when you’ve ovulated, using Ovia’s tools, can help you avoid false negatives and make sure you take a pregnancy test at the right time.

How Ovia can help you check and track your cervical position

Ovia’s algorithms help you check and learn when you’re most (and least) fertile by interpreting the data you track – including moods, cervical mucus, temperature, and the position of your cervix – to give you  a daily fertility score. The more you track, the more accurately Ovia can predict when you’re ovulating.

How does cervical position indicate ovulation?

If you’re ovulating, your cervix will feel high up, making it harder to reach, and it’ll feel soft and open. This openness allows any sperm in the area to enter your uterus and potentially fertilize an egg waiting there. In contrast, your cervix will feel low, hard, and closed when you aren’t in the fertile part of your cycle.

Here’s a quick reference guide to how your cervix may feel during different fertility levels and cycle times, including during pregnancy:

Ovulation

• Position: High (hard to reach)
• Firmness/Texture: Soft (like your lips)
• Openness: Open (tip of your finger can rest in the little divot, more circular)

Fertile window (approaching ovulation)

• Position: Medium
• Firmness: Medium (like your chin)
• Openness: Medium

Not fertile (both follicular phase and luteal phase)

• Position: Low
• Firmness: Hard (like the tip of your nose)
• Openness: Closed (like pinching your fingers)

Pregnant

• Position: High
• Firmness: Soft
• Openness: Closed

Track fertility indicators through Ovia with self-tracking devices

Using wearables and self-tracking devices makes your data easier to enter, and as accurate as possible! Wireless devices, like those made by Google Fitbit and Apple Health, allow you to track crucial metrics like your activity, sleep, and blood pressure seamlessly. The best part? It works both ways: you can also pull your Ovia data into your health app to view your health trends!

Note activity

Devices like the Google Fitbit and Apple Watch can accurately count your steps throughout the day, so you don’t have to worry about keeping a running tally! Tracking your activity is a great way to help you make sure you’re getting enough exercise.

Monitor sleep

Ever thought you’d be able to log data to your Ovia account while you’re getting your much-needed nightly Zzz’s? Google Health Connect and Apple Health both track your sleep duration and sleep cycles, letting you know how often (and when) you’re restless each night, letting you make adjustments based off of your data to get more (and more valuable) sleep.

Record blood pressure

Ovia users can sync their data with wearables to gain insights about their health and symptoms. Through Fitbit and Apple Watch, you can measure and log your blood pressure at your own convenience using an additional monitor. Tracking your blood pressure is incredibly important while you are trying to conceive (TTC), as high blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous.

The pregnancy test: step-by-step

Don’t worry too much about brands for pregnancy tests because they all work the same way: they detect hCG, which your body only produces during pregnancy. Just find a box that is intact and hasn’t been sitting on the shelves for a while.

Reading the instructions can be extremely helpful before running for the bathroom to start the test. When it comes to choosing the best day to test, Ovia has you covered! You will see a countdown for your best day to test right on the top of your Timeline (homescreen). Once your body releases hCG, it breaks down overnight and is detectable in your urine in its highest concentrations in the morning, so test during the first bathroom trip of the day!

1. Sit on a toilet and urinate into a cup or directly on to the absorbent end of the test midstream for 5-10 seconds. If you have a dropper with your test, collect some of the urine from the cup and place the urine onto the test well.
2. Wait for the results. This could take anywhere from 2-10 minutes for the full results to show up. Look to the directions for the exact time frame. Some tests recommend that you tilt the absorbent tip up for better urine travel through the hCG filter.
3. If the results are positive: Call your doctor for a confirmation and your first prenatal appointment. If your results are negative: Wait another few days to test again if you have not built up enough hCG in your system for a positive result. If your second test remains negative and you have missed your period, call your doctor to discuss the results.

Read more

• Does a negative pregnancy test mean I’m not pregnant?
• Early signs of pregnancy

Sources

• “Home Pregnancy Tests How-Tos.” Whattoexpect. What to Expect, Aug 28 2015. Web.
• “Pregnancy tests.” Womenshealth.gov. US Department of Health and Human Services, Feb 17 2017. Web.