All About The Pregnancy Test

The pregnancy test measures the level of the hormone, beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (B-hCG) in your urine. This hormone increases when you are pregnant. Pregnancy tests that you can buy over the counter are just as reliable as the ones that your doctor uses.

You can do the test from the first day of your missed period which is usually about two weeks after the egg and sperm have got together. If you think that you might be pregnant but the test is negative, try repeating it a week later, as the test can, first time around, occasionally be falsely negative. On the other hand – if it is positive – it really is positive!

You can buy a pregnancy test (about £5-10) at the chemist, or you can get a free at your doctor’s surgery, young people’s or family planning clinic.

The earlier that you know that you are pregnant the better, as if you want to carry on with your pregnancy you will need a check up, and if you don’t want to have a baby the early you have an abortion the safer it is.