Pregnancy test: when is it safe?

Am I pregnant or not? Can I take the pregnancy test at home or should I go to the doctor? We eliminate all uncertainties!

What are the first signs of pregnancy?

The missing rule is the best known – but not the only – sign of pregnancy. We tell you the most common pregnancy symptoms:

  1. The rule does not appear
  2. Implantation bleeding
  3. nausea
  4. Cravings
  5. Pulling in the breasts
  6. fatigue
  7. Increased sense of smell
  8. Frequent urge to urinate
  9. Slight bleeding
  10. High basal body temperature

When can I take a pregnancy test?

The classic one Urine pregnancy test delivers approx. 14 days after fertilization the egg cell, i.e. around the time of the actually due period, a reliable result. It is recommended that Pregnancy test only after the absence of the rule otherwise the error rate of this test is quite high.

When do you have pregnancy symptoms?

Some women are already noticing a few days after fertilization, how the egg cell implants in the uterus. At implantation (4-5 days after fertilization) can it be called a Implantation bleeding come: If the egg cell implants, blood vessels of the endometrium can be injured – the next sign of pregnancy. About a week after fertilization the body forms the pregnancy hormone hCG. It ensures that another hormone is released: progesterone. This hormone is the reason for the frequent ones fatigue at the beginning of pregnancy. Progesterone is for that too Failure to rule responsible. Especially between the 6th and 12th week of pregnancy Women often experience nausea.

How does an SST (pregnancy test) work?

When a woman is pregnant, her body forms it Pregnancy hormone beta-hCG (human chorionic gouadotropin) – a hormone that only pregnant women produce and which, among other things, ensures that our period is absent by preventing the endometrium from being rejected. Pregnancy tests measure the concentration of this hormone.

When is the pregnancy test reliable?

When the pregnancy test is reliable depends on the type of test: A distinction is made between blood and urine tests.

  • Blood test: The pregnancy test for everyone who wants to know it quickly and reliably
  • When is it safe? This examination can only be performed by the gynecologist and not at home: the hCG value can already be found here six to nine days after fertilization and before the absence of menstruation be detected. The gynecologist can tell you the result about 24 hours after the examination.

  • Early urine test: The quick pregnancy test for at home
  • When is it safe? These pregnancy tests are available from drug stores or pharmacies and can be done at home. In this case, the hCG value is measured in the urine – and according to the manufacturer, this is already the case up to four days before the bleeding is due. Due to the high error rate, this SST should only be used after the absence of the period.

  • Urine test: the classic
  • When is it safe? Eight out of ten women find out about their pregnancy in this way: the pregnancy test for at home, available in every drugstore or pharmacy since the late 1960s. 14 days after fertilization it delivers a reliable result – and can therefore be used shortly after the menstrual period has stopped.

  • Ultrasound examination: The reliable statement from the doctor
  • When is it safe? A few days after the menstrual period has stopped, an ultrasound can be used to make a reliable statement about whether you are pregnant: In this case, a small fruit cavity can be seen in the uterus. Of course, this test can only be carried out by a gynecologist.

Pregnancy tests with urine are usually too 90-99% sure – the more advanced the pregnancy, the more reliable the test result. If the test is negative, but the symptoms persist, see a gynecologist – and if the test is positive, to discuss how to proceed.

When is a pregnancy test possible? We clarify.
© Kamil Macniak / Shutterstock

What do I have to consider when taking a pregnancy test at home?

Anyone who takes a pregnancy test at home should always (!) Take it Read the package leaflet. As a rule, the test strip of the pregnancy test is held for a few seconds in the urine stream or in a glass filled with urine.

Next to the Control window you can usually still see a window that changes color or shows the respective lines, the meaning of which can be found in the instructions. You should always use morning urine for a urine test, as the hCG concentration is usually the highest.

When can I take a pregnancy test?

Test formWhen is the result safe?Where to do it?Error rate
Blood test

Six to nine days after fertilization – before the next menstrual period

Only at the gynecologist

Quite reliable
Early urine test

Up to four days before your menstrual period is due

At home

High error rate
Urine test

From 14 days after fertilization or from the absence of menstrual bleeding

At home

90-99% safe
Ultrasonic

A few days after your menstrual period has stopped

Only at the gynecologist

Safe statement

Pregnant? Nine things you should do right now – and what's wonderful in the next few weeks of pregnancy! Here you can calculate your week of pregnancy.

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