Pregnancy Test (Urine)

The pregnancy test is used to detect a hormone called the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample of your urine. The test is also known as the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test, beta-hCG urine test, and total chorionic gonadotropin test.

The hCG is produced by the placenta, an organ that develops during pregnancy and supplies the growing foetus with oxygen and nutrients. The hCG levels appear in the blood and urine after conception and continue to rise until the eighth week of pregnancy. Therefore, this test is important for detecting pregnancy and for providing appropriate initial care.

A pregnancy test may be advised if the following symptoms of early pregnancy are present:

• Missed period
• Tender and swollen breasts
• Frequent need to urinate
• Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting

The test is also highly recommended for individuals who are about to undergo medical treatment and need to rule out pregnancy, as the treatment may harm the foetus.

A urine pregnancy test can only detect whether a person is pregnant. However, it can be used with other tests to help diagnose and monitor certain conditions, such as:

• Miscarriage – This is the unexpected end of a pregnancy before the 20th week.
• Ectopic pregnancy – In this condition, the pregnancy develops outside of the uterus.
• Molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) – This condition is characterised by the growth of abnormal tissue in the uterus.
• Certain tumours that produce hCG – Some rare tumours can increase the levels of hCG in the blood.

What to Expect Before the Pregnancy Test

Collect first morning urine - overnight urine has the highest bacterial concentration. Do NOT start antibiotics before collecting the sample. Clean the genital area before collection using a sterile wipe or clean water to reduce contamination. If the sample cannot reach the lab within 2 hours, refrigerate it at 2 to 8°C - bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature and can give a falsely high colony count.

What to Expect During the Sample Collection

Open the sterile container without touching the inside or lid. Clean the genital area with two or three gauze pads saturated with soapy water, using a forward-to-back motion, then rinse with sterile saline and water. Begin urinating into the toilet. After the first few drops, collect the middle stream directly into the container without stopping. This midstream clean-catch technique flushes out urethral bacteria before collection begins. Close and label the container with your name, date, and time. Hand it to the PharmEasy phlebotomist or deliver it to the lab within 2 hours.

What to Expect After the Pregnancy Test

No recovery time is needed - urine collection is completely painless and non-invasive. Continue drinking fluids normally. Do not start antibiotics until your doctor has reviewed the culture and sensitivity report. Results are available within 24 to 72 hours.

In the urine pregnancy test, the primary parameter being measured is:

• The presence of human chorionic gonadotropin in a sample of urine.

The pregnancy test normal range is indicated in the table below

The table below provides a general interpretation of the pregnancy test results based on whether the HCG is present or absent.

Note:

• A negative result may not necessarily mean that there is no pregnancy. Sometimes, if the test is done too early after getting pregnant, enough hCG may not have been produced to show up on the test.
• A positive result can show up even if the person is not pregnant. Consult the doctor for further advice on this.

Like any other medical test, this test also has some risks and limitations.

Risks:

• The pregnancy test is generally safe and has no known risks

Limitations:

• Certain fertility drugs can affect the test results. Talk to the doctor for further advice on this.
• One may need to avoid drinking large amounts of fluids before a urine test to prevent the hCG in the urine from being diluted.

Depending on the symptoms and results, the doctor may recommend certain additional tests to better understand the condition. These may include:

• Oestrogen levels test
• Progesterone test
• Beta-hCG test
• Amniocentesis
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
• Nonstress test
• Rh factor blood test