If you think you might be pregnant, it’s hard to focus on anything else until you know for sure. EPT tests are easy to find, relatively inexpensive, and accurate enough to give most women peace of mind quickly and privately. Women who have used an EPT test should go to the doctor for confirmation early in the pregnancy, as earlier prenatal care leads to better odds of having a trouble-free pregnancy and a healthy baby.
How does the EPT Early Pregnancy Test Work?
Expecting? An early pregnancy test may be able to tell. The EPT early pregnancy test detects the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is generally only present during pregnancy and is released when the embryo adheres to the uterine wall. hCG levels increase rapidly from the point of implantation throughout the first few weeks of pregnancy. The more hCG present in a woman’s system, the easier it is for an EPT test to detect the hormone and produce a positive result.
Home pregnancy tests that are able to detect smaller amounts of HCG are typically able to give earlier results. The EPT early pregnancy test, for example, can detect HCG at levels as low as 20mIU/mL. Twenty is typically the most sensitive level, and can therefore be picked up earlier on in the pregnancy. Some women can get an accurate result on this test a few days before their menstrual period is scheduled to begin. If the test is not performed until the day the period is missed, the accuracy rate can be as high as 99%.
When conducting an EPT early pregnancy test, it is best to use a first urine sample in the morning. This will ensure that the highest potential levels of HCG are tested. In order to get the most accurate reading, the urine should be held under midstream for a few seconds before letting it hit the test stick. The test stick includes a control window so that a woman can know that the test is working properly.
If you suspect you might be pregnant, taking an early pregnancy test can give you peace of mind, one way or the other. The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the sooner you can start prenatal care, which gives you a better chance of having a healthy baby.
