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Two Types of Pregnancy Blood Tests

Pregnancy blood tests can reveal all sorts of information for doctors and their pregnant patients, including clues to potential birth defects and diseases. In this article we will look at the initial test – that of determining pregnancy by blood test.

There are lots of vague and misunderstood issues that come into play with pregnancy – especially with teens and first-time mothers. A healthy awareness of the whole process leads to understanding and a better chance of applied knowledge yielding good results which means a healthy and happy childbirth.

Pregnancy Testing

In today’s marketing and sales driven world, it is the rare consumer who has not seen TV commercials for do-it-yourself home pregnancy tests. Simply put, these urine based tests offer a color coded yea or nay answer to the pregnancy question. The issues of privacy and early detection have their own parameters; these are both social and medical issues.

A blood serum test is the preferred pregnancy blood test regularly performed by doctors and clinics. The results are similar but there are differing tests available using blood rather than urine as the test medium.

The thing being tested is called human chorionic gonadotpopin (HCG) and there are two different pregnancy blood tests with different goals.

Qualitative and Quantitative

The qualitative pregnancy blood test is a test designed to determine whether HCG is present in the bloodstream, and in a sense is similar to at-home tests – it gives a yes or no answer. This is a one-time pregnancy blood test and serves the purpose of confirmation of pregnancy.

With the quantitative method it is not a question of preference, but rather the need for more data. The quantitative method is definitely more involved – not just a yea or nay but an actual measurement of HCG. The qualitative followed by quantitative pregnancy blood tests combine to give physicians a powerful monitoring tool. Physicians use HCG levels in the bloodstream to gauge healthy and normal pregnancy.

When and How?

HCG levels are rather predictable at different times of pregnancy, starting with conception. Within regular intervals, the levels change in the body and measurements can help point to existing conditions that are linked to birthing difficulty. For this reason, the family physician, OB/GYN doctor or specialist may call for these quantitative pregnancy blood tests to be taken a number of times or in a weekly series, especially during a problematic pregnancy.

Enough Already!

Of course, pregnancy usually becomes visible at some point. Further testing is not just about the urine or blood during pregnancy, but rather potential problems are the concern. For a healthy and safe pregnancy, start early with a visit to a physician or clinic. Let learning be part of the process and try to enjoy every moment.