How Early Can Pregnancy Be Detected?

Pregnancy begins at the time when the egg meets the sperm. The body, however, does not share the news quite that quickly. The most common form of pregnancy test is the at home, hCG test but that test is by far not the only test available.

The at home pregnancy test is most accurate between 7 and 10 days after the last period was supposed to begin. The body, however, will reveal as early as 3 days after the last period was supposed to start that a baby is on the way. The pregnancy test will measure the amount of hCG in the urine. This is a hormone that is present in the urine as the fetus starts to grow.

For women who want to find out sooner than the next menstrual cycle, pregnancy can be detected much earlier using the pregnancy test ordered by their doctor. The blood pregnancy test will work as early as 6 to 8 days after the egg is released. The blood pregnancy test costs far more then the at home pregnancy test and is just as accurate.

For women who are planning to have a baby, the at home tests are the ultimate option. They are inexpensive and provide just as accurate results as the blood tests. The blood tests, however, can offer how much hCG is in the blood and that can be used to date the fetus and to note if the pregnancy is a possible multiple pregnancy. If the female is pregnant with multiples, the level of hCG will be far greater than the pregnancy time frame would normally present.