PreConception Health for Men

As couples prepare for pregnancy, it is easy to focus only on the woman’s health. However, there are several habits men need to be forming during these critical months of preparation, too. Issues of fertility do not rest solely on the female. According to the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), "Agents that may cause birth defects do not reach the developing fetus through the father as they do from the pregnant mother." But we do know that male exposure to certain things can lead to some preliminary problems with fertility and also slighly elevate the risk of certain birth defects.

Male fertility factors contribute to approximately 50% of all infertility cases, and male infertility alone accounts for approximately one-third of all infertility cases. Should fertility issues arise, you will be one step ahead by beginning now with some simple steps to be in the best physical condition to conceive.

Make an appointment with your doctor

It’s time to find a care provider you feel comfortable with and get started with a pre-conception appointment.

Clean out the medicine cabinet

Eliminate as many medications from your routine as possible. Talk with your physician about your prescription medications. You may need to discontinue use or try something new. The following medications have been known to impact male fertility:

• 
  
  Tagamet (cimetidine), sulfasalazine, or nitrofurantoin are used to treat ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, and urinary tract infections. These medications may impact sperm production and sperm count.


• 
  
  Steroids, such as prednisone and cortisone, which are used to treat asthma, arthritis and skin conditions, impact male fertility.


• 
  
  Chemotherapy and radiation could cause sterility or a significant change in sperm quality and quantity.

Take a good look at your work environment

Your work environment may be a contributing factor to your fertility. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, ongoing exposure to certain things like pesticides, chemical fertilizers, lead, nickel, mercury, chromium, ethylene glycol ethers, petrochemicals, benzene, perchloroethylene, and radiation can lower sperm quality, quantity and possibly lead to infertility or miscarriage.

Eat and Sleep

Few and far between are the men who would be opposed to this. What you eat can make a difference. Find out what your proper weight range should be and make the necessary dietary and exercise changes to get there. Studies suggest that some men with low sperm count also have a zinc deficiency. The following foods are high in zinc and could increase your fertility: meat, wholegrain cereals, seafood, and eggs. Selenium, which is found in Brazil nuts, meat, seafood, mushrooms and cereals, has also been found to aid in fertility. Adding more vitamin E may also help the process along. Getting plenty of Z’sss is good for everything that ails you, even low sperm counts and sperm quality.

Avoid alcohol and other substances

Eliminate alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and any illicit drugs. Too much alcohol may reduce zinc levels, and drugs decrease sperm quality. There is some research being done that may link smoking and certain rare heart defects, but further studies must be done to make an accurate conclusion. Marijuana has been proven to affect sperm quality and sperm count, but there is no evidence that shows that marijuana causes birth defects.

Keep your testicles cool

Heat from hot tubs, saunas, hot, long showers ( more than 30 minutes), heating pads, electric blankets, and tight clothing like briefs and spandex could cause your testicles to become too hot which decreases sperm quantity.

Stay away from cycling for a while

Cycling can cause a lot of friction and jostling, which increases the temperature of your testicles. The rise in temperature and possibility of injury may exacerbate low sperm count.

The above may sound like a long list of “don’ts”. Here’s a list of “do’s” that might keep you going when the going gets tough:

• 
  
  Do keep in mind that you are getting healthy along the way and preventing many other major medical complications.
  
  
• 
  
  Do take a multivitamin, male fertility supplement or even a pre-natal vitamin
  
  
• 
  
  Consider taking an at home fertility test to give you more peace of mind. The Fertell kit provides testing for both men and women.
  
  
• 
  
  Do enjoy sex and romance like you used to. It’s easy to think of sex as a chore while trying to get pregnant. Remember there is more to it than just making a baby.
  
  
• 
  
  Do be romantic. Life will change (in a good way) after a baby comes. But it will never be just like it is now. Enjoy every moment together.

PreConception Health for Women

Pregnancy should not be considered only a 9 month journey but as a year long journey. Knowing that the first few weeks of pregnancy are the most vital to the development of the baby, a mother should be healthy and avoid any harmful activities and substances near the time of conception. Some habits are harder to break, and some health issues take longer to address. Getting a jump start will be beneficial to you and your baby. Following these simple guidelines can help you prepare for pregnancy. Before you become pregnant you want to make sure that you cut out any habits that are harmful for your baby. These habits include:

Smoking - Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of preterm deliveries, and about 10 percent of all infant deaths according to the American Lung Association.

Drinking Alcohol - There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume while you are pregnant.

Recreational drug use – For example, smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage, low birth-weight, premature births, developmental delays, and behavioral and learning problems.

Prescription drugs – There are many prescription drugs that are teratogenic (cause birth defects). Talk with your healthcare provider about any and all prescription drugs you are taking.

Hazardous chemicals – There are some chemicals that can also be teratogenic. For example, most studies point out that the greatest risk of exposure to pesticides is during the first three to eight weeks of the first trimester when the neural tube development is occurring. This is often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

Stress – Stress has been linked to delayed or missed periods which can cause difficulty tracking ovulation and getting pregnant. Limit your amount of stress as much as possible.

Herbs – The problem with herbs is that they are not mandated by the FDA, and therefore, there is little or no research on the effect they have on pregnancy. Discuss any herbs with your healthcare provider.

Caffeine - Some studies have shown a link between high levels of caffeine consumption and delayed conception. A few studies have shown that there may be an increase in miscarriages among women who consume more than 300 mg (three 5 oz cups of coffee) a day.

You should replace these old habits with new healthy habits. These healthy habits include:

• 
  
  Exercise – Start exercising now. Set goals for what you want to achieve. Ask yourself if you want to lose weight, gain weight, build muscle, or improve lung capacity. Some good exercise options include walking, swimming, bicycling, and aerobics. Yoga is an excellent choice for exercise because it incorporates posture, breathing, and concentration which will be beneficial for you during labor. Talk with your healthcare provider about what is best for you.


• 
  
  Read – Read books on pregnancy and child birth. It is important that you are educated and prepared.


• 
  
  Track your menstrual cycle – This is very important. Your doctor will ask you about your menstrual cycle, so you need to be prepared. Keeping track of your cycle will also help you track your ovulation and increase your chance of pregnancy. Products to Help Track Ovulation


• 
  
  Practice relaxation techniques – Relaxation can help minimize stress, and as you have already read, stress is not a woman’s best friend. Try Yoga or listening to soft relaxing music in a warm bath.


• 
  
  Get lots of sleep – If you are not receiving 8 hours of sleep a night, you should start. Adequate amounts of sleep can also help relieve stress and tension.


• 
  
  Eat healthy – Nutrition is vital to your health. The healthier you are the easier pregnancy will be for you. Some people like to take supplements. Order Fertility Supplements

Nutrition

You are what you eat, and so is your baby. Make sure that you are getting lots of vitamins in your diet, and start taking folic acids now. Studies have shown that folic acid (300-400mcg a day) can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects when taken before conception. Order Prenatal Vitamins with folic acid.

For more information on the suggested amount of vitamins to consume during pregnancy (which is the same for preconception) look at our chart on Essential Nutrients & Vitamins.

Maintain an ideal weight

Your weight plays a significant role in conception and during pregnancy. When planning to conceive you want to avoid being over or under weight.

Underweight (10% below normal range)

• 
  
  Exercise to build muscle
  
  
• 
  
  Increase energy intake
  
  
• 
  
  Eat at least three meals a day
  
  
• 
  
  Eat more food at each meal
  
  
• 
  
  Eat more snacks
  
  
• 
  
  Drink juices and milk

Overweight (20% above normal range)

• 
  
  Choose a realistic eating plan
  
  
• 
  
  Make sure your eating plan includes nutritional adequacy
  
  
• 
  
  Drink adequate amounts of water
  
  
• 
  
  Combine your eating plan with exercise

Discuss any plans for weight loss or gain with your healthcare provider.

Make a doctor’s appointment

It is important that you see your doctor before you become pregnant. There are medical conditions that you may not be aware of that can affect your pregnancy. Some of the most common conditions include:

• 
  
  Diabetes – If you are diabetic you should get your diabetes under control. Pregnancy increases the chances of diabetes, and it can make it hard for a mother who is already suffering from diabetes.
  
  
• 
  
  High blood pressure – If you have high blood pressure before pregnancy, you must closely monitor your blood pressure during pregnancy.
  
  
• 
  
  Anemia – A complete blood count (CBC) can measure your hemoglobin, red & white blood cell count, and the appearance of your platelets. Anemia can cause weakness and fatigue during pregnancy.
  
  
• 
  
  Thyroid problems – The test consists of a blood test which measures your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Hyperthyroidism (overactive) can lead to premature birth and low birth weight if left untreated. Hypothyroidism (underactive) can lead to infertility or miscarriage when left untreated.
  
  
• 
  
  STDs – For example, chlamydia can result in an ectopic pregnancy if you conceive. If you are not pregnant, and it is left untreated, it can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID); this can cause infertility.

Other testing and screening that is common during a preconception health check up are:

• 
  
  Pap Smear – A pap smear can check for cervical dysplasia.
  
  
• 
  
  Breast exam – If over the age of 35, you may receive a mammogram.
  
  
• 
  
  Blood type – If you are RH negative you will have to be desensitized prior to labor.
  
  
• 
  
  Immunity to Rubella (measles) – The March of Dimes recommends that all women be tested for immunity to rubella before they become pregnant and that they consider being vaccinated at that time if they are not immune. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that a woman wait at least 4 weeks after receiving the vaccination before trying to conceive.
  
  
• 
  
  Immunity to Varicella (chicken pox) – As with rubella it is recommended that all women be tested for immunity to varicella before they become pregnant and that they consider being vaccinated at that time if they are not immune. The CDC recommends that a woman wait at least 4 weeks before trying to conceive after receiving the vaccination.

At your appointment you will also be asked for your medical and family history.

Medical history may include:

• 
  
  Medications you take
  
  
• 
  
  Past pregnancies
  
  
• 
  
  Diet
  
  
• 
  
  Exercise
  
  
• 
  
  Medical conditions

Family history may include:

• 
  
  Diabetes
  
  
• 
  
  High blood pressure
  
  
• 
  
  Seizure disorders
  
  
• 
  
  Mental retardation
  
  
• 
  
  Twins

Some couples may also need to seek Genetic Counseling. For the majority of couples, genetic counseling is not necessary .

PreConception Nutrition

Body Weight and Fertiliy

Being a healthy body weight is important before pregnancy. If you’re underweight, it can be more difficult to conceive and if you’re overweight, you run a greater risk of complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy.

The ideal range is usually calculated using the body mass index (BMI) of 20 to 25. Take steps either to try to lose or gain weight where necessary, in a sensible way - crash dieting will not be good for your overall health and may deplete your nutrient stores.

Even a small weight loss can greatly increase your ability to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. If you’re concerned about your weight, you may find it useful to speak to your doctor or practice nurse for further advice.

Folic Acid

Taking folic acid before and in the very early stages of pregnancy can reduce the risk of your baby suffering from neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant should take a supplement that provides 400mcg folic acid per day. This is in addition to a dietary intake of folic acid of about 200mcg per day.

Once pregnant, women should continue taking a 400mcg supplement for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Rich dietary sources include fortified breakfast cereals, bread, green leafy vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach and green beans), oranges, dried beans, peas and lentils. Some supermarkets and food manufacturers identify good sources of folic acid with a special label. Look out for these next time you go shopping.

Women who’ve already had an NTD-affected pregnancy should take a supplement that provides 5mg a day. See your doctor for more information.

Supplements

Ideally, you shouldn’t need a vitamin and mineral supplement (apart from folic acid) if you’re eating a healthy diet. However, if you want to take a supplement, choose a specially formulated prenatal multivitamin and mineral supplement. These are more likely to provide nutrients in balanced amounts, not high doses that may be dangerous to your health.

Dads Too

Being super-fit and healthy is also important for men who are hoping to conceive. There have been numerous research studies looking at preconceptual nutrition in men. We know that diets low in zinc can reduce sperm counts, while excessive alcohol intake can reduce zinc levels even further. Zinc is found in food such as meat, wholegrain cereals, seafood, eggs and pulses.

Another nutrient that has a role in male fertility is selenium. Brazil nuts contain lots of this important mineral, along with meat, seafood, mushrooms and cereals. As with women, being very overweight or underweight can influence your fertility significantly. Aim to be the right weight for your height by eating sensibly and exercising on a regular basis.

The key message is to stick firmly within the alcohol limits - or reduce them further - and embark on a healthy-eating regime to ensure you and your sperm are in tip-top condition. Don’t expect results overnight - better quality sperm will result in about three months, the length of the sperm production cycle.

Plan well in advance of the intended time of conception. Each day, simply choose food from each of the major food groups, as outlined in nutrition basics This will help you ensure you have a diet packed with energy-giving carbohydrates, moderate in protein and fat (but low in saturated fat) and rich in vitamins and minerals.

The importance of good nutrition

Following a healthy diet will ensure you have adequate stores of nutrients to meet your and your baby’s needs during pregnancy. Follow the principles of healthy eating and choose appropriately from the major food groups, making sure you have a well-balanced and varied diet:

Food group	Number of servings a day
Starchy carbohydrates, such as bread, breakfast cereals, porridge oats, rice, pasta and potatoes	5 to 7
Fruit and vegetables - all types, fresh, juiced, frozen or canned	At least 5
Milk and dairy products, for instance, low-fat milk, yoghurt and cheese	2 to 3
Meat, fish and alternatives, for example, lean meat, poultry, eggs, white fish, oily fish, peas, beans and pulses	2
Fat and sugar rich foods, such as butter, margarine, cooking fats, pastries, cream, crisps, cakes, chocolate, sugary drinks, biscuits and sweets	Keep to a minimum

5 Major Questions about Pregnant Momz

1. Talk About Your Feelings

The MOST important thing you can do for yourself is take care of your emotions. Keeping things bottled up inside doesn’t help anyone - baby included!

So, make sure you have someone to talk to, whether it’s a support group, friends or family. This will even help you avoid emotional eating and gaining excess unnecessary weight!

2. Establish Routines

Routines give us order and help us stay focused. They also help to "fight" procrastination, excuses, and negativity. Include things like going for daily walks, cooking meals, eating at regular times, and socializing with friends.

3. Prepare Healthy Meals

Give yourself time to prepare healthy meals - eating a well-balanced diet will help you stabilize your blood sugar levels and even out your mood swings!

4. Exercise Regularly

Move your muscles more (if you can)! Think about it this way - exercise delivers oxygen to your brain, so when you’re feeling tired, a quick walk around the block WILL work wonders.

Even if you feel like you don’t have the energy to exercise, get off the couch and stretch - you will feel much better (and more energetic) afterwards!

5. Rest Daily

Make rest a regular part of your day. I know it’s hard to take time for yourself (especially in today’s fast paced world), but now that you’re pregnant, you and your baby NEED your beauty sleep!

For LOTS more TIPS on how to have a successful pregnancy, including which specific exercises you need to do to prepare for an easy delivery and quick post-partum weight loss, as well as which foods are safe to eat and what beauty measures will help you prevent things like stretch marks and varicose veins

Are Your Symptoms NORMAL?

With all the changes going on in your body, do you ever wonder, "Hmmm, is this normal? Is that normal? Should this be happening to my body?"

I literally get HUNDREDS of emails every week from women asking all kinds of questions – whether they’re either too embarrassed to ask a close friend/Doctor or if they just can’t find a straight answer.

To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of the TOP 5 most frequently asked questions so YOU can see if YOUR symptoms are in fact normal before you have to ask embarrassing questions. Plus I’ll also discuss the SECRET to a successful all-round pregnancy – keep reading, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Here are my TOP 5 "Am I Normal" Answers...

1. Yes, it IS normal for pregnant woman to have a little discharge. Wearing a pad and cotton underwear is the best solution. If you’re at all concerned, though, be sure to consult your doctor. This condition shouldn’t last long, so just hold tight.

2. Yes, it IS normal to develop pregnancy acne on your face. It should clear up after delivery when your hormones finally calm down. In the meantime, keep your face clean and NEVER stick your fingers in your foundation, or other skin care products because bacteria will fester in the bottles, causing more acne.

3. Yes, as much as it is normal to have a huge appetite during pregnancy, believe it or not, many women also experience NO appetite during pregnancy. You do want to make sure little one is getting all she needs, so eating a healthy well-balanced diet is a must.

4. Yes, it IS normal to have groin pain. However, I do think it would be a good idea to check in with your doctor. In the meantime, avoid exercises that involve jerky movements and/or rapid changes in direction (i.e. basketball, squash, and tennis) it will only make the situation worse.

5. Yes, it IS normal to have nosebleeds and bleeding gums (I had LOTS of nosebleeds!). Don’t worry though, both WILL stop after you deliver! For nosebleeds, try using a humidifier at night or putting Vaseline around your nostrils. And for bleeding gums, DO check with your dentist to rule out any larger problems (pregnancy gingivitis or a pregnancy gum tumor), and DO make sure to brush and floss your teeth daily.

If one of your MAJOR questions is “Am I gaining too much weight?” or “How am I going to lose my baby weight after delivery?”, I definitely have the answer for you! This blog is designed to help new moms like you melt your pregnancy pounds from the moment you leave the hospital.

Pregnancy Tests - Urine and Blood

How do pregnancy tests work?

Pregnancy tests look for a special hormone in the urine or blood that is only there when a woman is pregnant. This hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), can also be called the pregnancy hormone.

The pregnancy hormone, hCG, is made in your body when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 6 days after conception. But studies show that the embryo doesn’t implant until later in some women. The amount of hCG increases drastically with each passing day you are pregnant.

Many home pregnancy tests claim they can tell if you’re pregnant on the day you expect your period. But a recent study shows that most don’t give accurate results this early in pregnancy. Waiting one week after a missed period will usually give a more accurate answer.

What’s the difference between pregnancy tests that check urine and those that test blood? Which one is better?

There are two types of pregnancy tests. One tests the blood for the pregnancy hormone, hCG. The other checks the urine for this hormone. You can do a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test. You need to see a doctor to have blood tests.

These days, most women first use home pregnancy tests (HPT) to find out if they are pregnant. HPTs are inexpensive, private, and easy to use. Urine tests will be able to tell if you’re pregnant about 2 weeks after ovulation. Some more sensitive urine tests claim that they can tell if you are pregnant as early as one day after a missed period.

If a HPT says you are pregnant, you should call your doctor right away. You doctor can use a more sensitive test along with a pelvic exam to tell for sure if you’re pregnant. Seeing your doctor early on in your pregnancy will help you and your baby stay healthy.

Doctors use two types of blood tests to check for pregnancy. Blood tests can pick up hCG earlier in a pregnancy than urine tests can. Blood tests can tell if you are pregnant about 6 to 8 days after you ovulate (or release an egg from an ovary). A quantitative blood test (or the beta hCG test) measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood. So it can find even tiny amounts of hCG. This makes it very accurate. Qualitative hCG blood tests just check to see if the pregnancy hormone is present or not. So it gives a yes or no answer. The qualitative hCG blood test is about as accurate as a urine test.

There are many different types of home pregnancy tests, or HPTs. Most drugstores sell HPTs over-the-counter. They cost between $8 and $20 depending on the brand and how many tests come in the box.

Most popular HPTs work in a similar way. The majority tell the user to hold a stick in the urine stream. Others involve collecting urine in a cup and then dipping the stick into it. At least one brand tells the woman to collect urine in a cup and then put a few drops into a special container with a dropper. Testing the urine first thing in the morning may help boost accuracy.

Then the woman needs to wait a few minutes. Different brands instruct the woman to wait different amounts of time. Once the time has passed, the user should inspect the "result window." If a line or plus symbol appears, you are pregnant. It does not matter how faint the line is. A line, whether bold or faint, means the result is positive.

Most tests also have a "control indicator" in the result window. This line or symbol shows whether the test is working or not. If the control indicator does not appear, the test is not working properly. You should not rely on any results from a HPT that may be faulty.

Most brands tell users to repeat the test in a few days, no matter what the results. One negative result (especially soon after a missed period) does not always mean you’re not pregnant. All HPTs come with written instructions. Most tests also have toll-free phone numbers to call incase of questions about use or results.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests?

Home pregnancy tests (HPTs) can be quite accurate. But the accuracy depends on many things. These include:

• 
  
  How you use them - Be sure to follow the directions and check the expiration date.


• 
  
  When you use them - The amount of hCG or pregnancy hormone in your urine increases with time. So, the earlier after a missed period you take the test the harder it is to spot the hCG. If you wait one week after a missed period to test, you are more apt to have an accurate result. Also, testing your urine first thing in the morning may boost the accuracy.


• 
  
  Who uses them - The amount of hCG in the urine is different for every pregnant woman. So, some women will have accurate results on the day of the missed period while others will need to wait longer.


• 
  
  The brand of test - Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others. So, some tests are better than others at spotting hCG early on.

Many HPTs claim to be 99% accurate on the day you miss your period. But research suggests that most HPTs do not consistently spot pregnancy that early. And when they do, the results are often very faint.

In a 2004 study, researchers tested the accuracy of 18 HPTs sold in retail stores. They found that only one brand consistently detected the low levels of hCG usually present on the first day of the missed period. This was the First Response, Early Result Pregnancy Test. The other tests missed up to 85% of pregnancies on the first day of the missed period. Most tests accurately confirmed pregnancies one week after the missed period.

Which brand of pregnancy test is the most accurate?

Some brands of tests can pick up lower levels of hCG than others. But limited research makes it impossible to say for sure which one is the best. Even so, two studies suggest that First Response, Early Result Pregnancy Test may be more sensitive than others. So for women who want test early, this is probably the best product.

How soon after a missed period can I take a home pregnancy test and get accurate results?

Many home pregnancy tests (HPTs) claim to be 99% accurate on the day you miss your period. But research suggests that most HPTs do not consistently spot pregnancy that early. And when they do, the results are often so faint they are misunderstood. If you can wait one week after your missed period, most home pregnancy tests will give you an accurate answer. Ask your doctor for a more sensitive test if you need to know earlier.

When a home pregnancy test will give an accurate result depends on many things. These include:

• 
  
  How long it takes for the fertilized egg to implant in the uterus after ovulation. Pregnancy tests look for the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that is only produced once the fertilized egg has implanted in the uterine wall. In most cases, this happens about 6 days after conception. But studies show that in up to 10 percent of women, the embryo doesn’t implant until much later, after the first day of the missed period. So, home pregnancy tests will be accurate as soon as one day after a missed period for some women but not for others.
  
  
• 
  
  How you use them - Be sure to follow the directions and check the expiration date.
  
  
• 
  
  When you use them - The amount of hCG in a pregnant woman’s urine increases with time. So, the earlier after a missed period you take a HPT, the harder it is to spot the hCG. If you wait one week after a missed period to test, you are more apt to have an accurate result. Also, testing your urine first thing in the morning may boost the accuracy.
  
  
• 
  
  Who uses them - The amount of hCG in the urine at different points in early pregnancy is different for every woman. So, some women will have accurate results on the day of the missed period while others will need to wait longer.
  
  
• 
  
  The brand of test - Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others. So, some tests are better than others at spotting hCG early on.

I got a negative result on a home pregnancy test. Might I still be pregnant?

Yes. So, most HPTs suggest women take the test again in a few days or a week.

Every woman ovulates at different times in her menstrual cycle. Plus, embryos implant in the uterus at different times. So, the accuracy of HPT results varies from woman to woman. Other things can also affect the accuracy.

Sometimes women get false negative results (when the test says you are not pregnant and you are) when they test too early in the pregnancy. Other times, problems with the pregnancy can affect the amount of hCG in the urine.

If your HPT is negative, test yourself again in a few days or 1 week. If you keep getting a negative result but think you are pregnant, talk with your doctor right away.

Can anything interfere with home pregnancy test results?

Most medicines, over-the-counter and prescription, including birth control pills and antibiotics, should not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. Only medicines that have the pregnancy hormone hCG in them can give a false positive test result. A false positive is when a test says you are pregnant when you’re not.

Sometimes medicines containing hCG are used to treat infertility (not being able to get pregnant). Alcohol and illegal drugs do not affect HPT results. But women who may become pregnant should not use these substances.

Taking a Pregnancy Test

Taking a pregnancy test can be filled with excitement for some people, whereas for others it may be a little intimidating. Before you take a pregnancy test, you might check to see if you are experiencing any pregnancy symptoms. A missed menstrual cycle is the most common symptom leading a woman to take a pregnancy test. Below are several answers to common questions related to taking a pregnancy test.

How does a test tell if you are pregnant or not?

A pregnancy test detects the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood or in your urine. hCG is produced in the placenta shortly after the embryo attaches to the uterine lining and builds up rapidly in your body in the first few days of pregnancy.

How long do I have to wait before I take a test?

Most doctors recommend that you wait until the first day of your missed period before taking a home pregnancy test. A missed period is usually one of the first signs of pregnancy. This is usually around two weeks after conception. However, some tests are more sensitive (and more expensive) than others and can be taken earlier. Concentrations of hCG are reported in milliInternational Units (mIU) or amounts equal to 1/1000th of an IU per milliliter. A pregnancy test with a sensitivity of 20 IU/L is more sensitive than one with 50 IU/L.

A blood test administered by your doctor is more sensitive than the early home tests and can be taken between seven and twelve days after you conceive. ( It is possible that these tests can be done too early and show a false negative result.) If you receive a negative result and still do not start your period, another test should be done.

How accurate are home tests?

Home tests are very accurate (around 97%) when used correctly. Some kits come with two tests because mistakes do happen.

If you take a test too early, you may get a false negative (when the test says you are not pregnant but you are). Your body needs time for the hormone to rise to a high enough level to be detected in a test. If the test comes back negative but you still think you could be pregnant, wait a few days and try again.

False positives (when the test says you’re pregnant but you’re not) are possible, but rare. A positive pregnancy test is a pretty good indication that you are pregnant.