Consult by instant messaging with a Pregnancy test

Pregnancy test

Are you hoping to get pregnant, or on the contrary taking steps to avoid a pregnancy? Do several symptoms make you think you might be pregnant? A pregnancy test is a reliable way to find out for sure.

What are the first signs of pregnancy?

Interpreting the body's signals is not always easy, especially since the signs suggesting pregnancy can differ from one woman to another. A missed period is often the most obvious and easiest sign to notice when a pregnancy may be underway. Some women do not have very regular menstrual cycles, which can make this sign unreliable in their case. You may notice implantation bleeding. These small spots of blood can be an early sign of pregnancy, occurring when the fertilised egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Some pregnant women, early in their pregnancy and before they even know they are expecting a baby, experience fairly mild uterine cramps. In early pregnancy, some women feel a sensation of warmth. This is because pregnancy hormones can raise body temperature and speed up metabolism, so the woman feels a little warmer than usual and may sweat more, as the body tends to sweat more than usual to compensate and try to cool itself down. Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy can lead to an increased heart rate. Other women find their breasts more tender, another possible symptom of early pregnancy. Bloating, constipation and heartburn can also be linked to early pregnancy, as the digestive system can slow down slightly, leaving you feeling a little bloated. Morning sickness, an aversion to certain foods and sensitivity to certain smells can also be among the first signs of pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique, however: some women will notice many symptoms suggestive of pregnancy, while others will not realise they are pregnant straight away. The best way to be sure is to take a pregnancy test.

When should you take a pregnancy test?

There are two ways to take a pregnancy test. The most accessible, easiest to do, and perhaps best known, is the urine test, which can be bought at a pharmacy and done quietly at home. It is also possible to have a blood test, which requires going to a medical laboratory to have blood drawn. A pregnancy test should not be taken just at any time, or you risk missing a pregnancy that is nonetheless very real. The pregnancy hormone, also known as hCG, is only present in urine from around the 8th day after fertilisation, and at a low level. It is recommended to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after unprotected intercourse that took place during the woman's ovulation period. Both a urine pregnancy test and a blood pregnancy test can be done from the supposed third week of pregnancy onwards. Ideally, you should wait until the 4th or 5th week of pregnancy, as the hCG hormone will be more present in the blood and the results will be even more reliable. A urine pregnancy test should preferably be used in the morning, when urine is most concentrated in hCG, whereas a blood test can be taken at any time of day. Whichever type of urine test you choose, always follow the instructions that come with it to the letter. A urine test is estimated to be 99% reliable. A blood pregnancy test carried out in a medical laboratory is even more reliable and can help date the day of the baby's conception.

The benefits of taking a pregnancy test

A visit to the doctor is often a good way to confirm a pregnancy after a positive urine test, and to review the woman's overall state of health. The general practitioner will prescribe a blood test to be carried out in a medical laboratory, which makes it possible to confirm with certainty that the woman is pregnant. There are indeed false positives that a blood test will detect. If the test is positive, the general practitioner can start pregnancy follow-up or refer their patient to a gynaecology specialist. It is entirely possible to consult a general practitioner on Feeli, remotely and online. The doctor can prescribe a blood test during your online consultation. Easy and convenient, you don't need to travel to get your prescription! Consultations are easily accessible and require no appointment. If you have a positive urine pregnancy test, try Feeli!