Pregnancy Test, Urine

Urine pregnancy tests that are conducted in a laboratory are considered to be more than 97 percent accurate. These tests are painless. Women simple need to visit a laboratory and provide a urine sample in a cup. This process takes only a few minutes. Results for laboratory urine pregnancy tests are generally available in as little as 24 hours. Many women prefer these types of tests because they are convenient and provide quick answers.

Laboratory urine pregnancy tests measure the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) present in the urine. The body produces this chemical throughout pregnancy. During the first four to five weeks of pregnancy, the levels of HCG in the body double every two days. Most women will receive more accurate results from a laboratory urine pregnancy test if they wait a few days after a missed period to take the test.

Urine pregnancy tests measure the same chemical that home pregnancy tests measure, but they tend to be more accurate. In the laboratory environment, urine samples are protected. This means that it is not likely that a sample will become contaminated or spoiled before it can be used for pregnancy testing. Urine pregnancy tests conducted in a lab are 100 percent pain free. Many women appreciate the quick results that they receive after taking such tests.

Urine pregnancy tests provide a simple positive or negative answer. They do not measure the overall levels of HCG present in the body. In some cases, women who take urine tests very early in their pregnancies may receive a false negative. Women who have received a negative result on a urine pregnancy test but continue to have symptoms of pregnancy should wait another week and have another test conducted. Every woman's body will produce varying amounts of HCG, which can account for some false negatives.

Women who order a urine pregnancy tests from Health Testing Centers should keep a few important points in mind. First and foremost, women should avoid drinking excess liquids before taking a urine pregnancy test. Urine can become diluted, leading to false negatives. For this reason, many women prefer to take urine tests early in the morning. Some medical professionals believe that this can make a significant difference in test accuracy in very early pregnancy.