How is a Pregnancy Blood Test Performed?

How is a Pregnancy Blood Test Performed?

What is a pregnancy blood test?

A pregnancy blood test is a pregnancy test that is performed by using a sample of blood to determine whether or not there is hCG present in the blood. HCG is the “pregnancy hormone”, and it is the hormone that all pregnancy tests detect. Most pregnancy tests are done at home, with a urine sample. However, a blood pregnancy test is performed at a doctor’s office. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here

How is a blood pregnancy test performed?

Blood pregnancy tests are not complicated at all. They are performed in a doctor’s office setting. Your doctor will take a small blood sample from a vein. Usually they will use your hand or forearm to draw the blood. The blood sample will be collected into a syringe and then placed in a vial. The entire process is very quick, usually less than five minutes. It is not painful, you will just feel a sharp pinch when the needle is inserted. The blood sample will be sent to a lab where it will be determined whether or not there is hCG in your blood. The time frame that it will take to get your results back varies from doctor to doctor, so talk to your doctor beforehand to find out how long you will have to wait.

Different types of blood tests

There are actually two different types of blood pregnancy tests that are available. The two different types are called a qualitative test and a quantitative test. The qualitative test determines whether or not there is any hCG in your blood. It will give a simple “yes” or “no” answer. The quantitative test is a bit more detailed. Quantitative tests actually measure the amount of hCG in the body, and can give your doctor a more detailed idea about how far along you are.

Which test is better?

Home pregnancy tests and blood pregnancy tests both do the same things. They both test for hCG in the body to determine if you are pregnant. Home pregnancy tests are cheap, easy to use, and private. Blood pregnancy tests can be a bit more expensive and require a trip to the doctor’s office, but there is less room for human error when your doctor is doing the test, and you can sometimes test earlier than you can with a home pregnancy test. Either way, both tests are accurate when performed correctly, and both will let you know whether or not you are expecting.

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Dr. Christine Lee, MD
Dr. Christine Lee, MD | ConceiveEasy
Dr. Christine Lee earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Biology and Master of Science in Biomolecular Organization. Dr. Lee is Lab Director for ConceiveEasy and is board certified as a High Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD).

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