Pregnancy Testing – Earlier is Better for Your Baby

Pregnancy tests have improved dramatically in recent years allowing women to provide the best environment – their own bodies! – for their babies. In the past, it was necessary to wait until you had missed your menstrual period before you were assured of getting an accurate diagnosis. Newer blood tests, the quantitative blood test or beta hCG test, can provide accurate readings as early as 6 to 8 days after ovulation. If you are at least 2 weeks pregnant, this test can also determine the age of the baby. Although there are many HPTs or Home Pregnancy Tests on the market, these are much less accurate and cannot determine pregnancy before a missed period.

Some women may not realize the importance of finding out as early as possible whether they are pregnant or not. There are many reasons to find out as soon as possible:

• There are many common herbs that are contraindicated during pregnancy for various reasons. If you know you are pregnant and are taking these or eating these during meals, you can stop early enough to prevent complications for your baby.
• The March of Dimes lists many things to do during pregnancy to protect your unborn child, including some that are well known such as avoiding tobacco, illegal drugs, and alcohol as well as eating a diet of healthy foods and nutrients.
• There has been a lot of publicity recently about the high concentrations of mercury in some fish such as farm-raised salmon and canned tuna. Avoiding these foods early and eating healthy foods is one of the best things you can do for your health and your baby’s health.
• Finding out early that you are pregnant and finding a good prenatal care provider can assure that you are taking the appropriate prenatal vitamins, getting enough folic acid, and getting critical tests taken including urine tests, blood tests and blood pressure tests. These tests are all normal and assist you and your doctor in monitoring your health and the progress of the baby.
• Your doctor can discuss with you any health issues you may have such as diabetes or high blood pressure which may affect your baby allowing you time to take the right precautions to ensure a healthy child.
• Finally, if there is a possibility that you are at a higher risk for carrying a baby with specific birth defects, it is important to have these tests conducted early enough to make decisions about your next steps. These tests range from amniocentesis to ultrasound to chorionic villus sampling (CVS).

Advances in pregnancy testing as well as prenatal testing and care make a strong case for getting an early pregnancy test. Be proactive and take the best care possible of yourself and your unborn child!