Almost every woman with a suspected pregnancy gets a test in a pharmacy. This is a simple and quick way to confirm or exclude the fact of conception of a child. However, according to statistics, this method is not 100% accurate. The most reliable is a laboratory pregnancy test. In the early stages, it is possible to confirm or exclude its presence using a blood test for hCG. This is currently the only and highly accurate method for detecting pregnancy. Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor can not only confirm the fact of conception, but also evaluate the course of the gestation period as a whole. In the future, a woman needs to undergo a number of studies. Regarding which tests to take in the early stages of pregnancy, a doctor will also consult.
HCG research: the essence of the method
This abbreviation stands for "human chorionic gonadotropin." This is a hormone for the production of which syncytiotrophoblast is responsible - part of a fertilized egg. As soon as the latter is attached to the wall of the uterus, hCG begins to stimulate the active development of the placenta.
Human chorionic gonadotropin consists of two units: alpha and beta. However, only the second indicator is important in the diagnosis of pregnancy in the early stages. Analysis of the beta unit allows you to determine conception within 2 days after the onset of fertilization.
Functions performed by hCG:
- Promotes the synthesis of estrogen and progesterone.
- Prepares a woman's body for bearing a fetus.
- Preserves the corpus luteum.
- Stimulates the work of the adrenal glands and gonads in the developing fetus.
- Promotes the production of Leydig cells, which, in turn, synthesize testosterone in male embryos.
It is important to know that pregnancy tests are also based on detecting hCG levels. But in this case, the biological material is urine. In urine, the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin increases slowly. That is why manufacturers of test strips recommend conducting a study at least 1-2 days before the start of the proposed menstruation. In the blood, hCG is detected on average 2 days after fertilization. In this regard, this is the most reliable analysis to determine pregnancy in the early stages.
Preparation
Biological material is taken in the morning. Donate blood must be on an empty stomach. The last meal should take place no earlier than 10 hours before the intake of liquid connective tissue.
It is important 1 day before the blood test to exclude fatty foods and foods that contain a large amount of protein from the diet. This is due to the fact that blood can clot prematurely, which will make it unusable for research.
If a woman is taking any medications, you should inform your doctor about this. In some cases, the effect of medications can distort the results of the study.
How is it carried out?
Blood sampling is carried out in a standard way. As biological material, venous fluid connective tissue is used. Its fence, as a rule, is carried out from a vein located on the elbow. The blood tube is labeled, after which it is sent to the laboratory.
Deadlines
The study of liquid connective tissue is carried out by ELISA. In some institutions (for example, in Unilaba or Invitro), an early pregnancy test is ready in 1-2 days. Almost every independent laboratory provides a rapid test service. This means that results can be obtained after 2 hours. It is recommended to clarify the dates directly at the selected institution.
Interpretation of Results
For each person (an insignificant concentration of the hormone is present even in the body in men), the hCG index is individual. In this regard, only a doctor will be able to correctly interpret the results of an early pregnancy test.
There are average standard values expressed in honey / ml:
- In healthy and not pregnant women, the hCG index varies between 0-5.
- If conception has occurred, the level of the hormone changes constantly. 1 week - the minimum value is 20, the maximum is 150.
- 2-3 weeks. The indicator grows at times and can be 100-4870.
- 4 weeks. The level of hCG varies between 2500-82000.
- 5 weeks. The indicator reaches 151000.
- 6 weeks. The maximum value is 233000.
Thus, the analysis of hCG in early pregnancy is extremely informative. With its help it is possible not only to confirm the conception, but also to accurately determine the week of the gestational period. In addition, based on the results of the study, the doctor is able to identify various pathologies in the patient or fetus.
If the hCG index in a woman varies between 5-25 mU / ml, the study must be repeated again after 2 days. This is due to the fact that these results are not unambiguous.
Deviations from the norm
If a blood test for pregnancy in the early stages showed too high a value of human chorionic gonadotropin, this usually indicates the presence of the following conditions:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Toxicosis.
- Multiple pregnancy.
- Chromosomal abnormality in a developing fetus.
- Prolonged pregnancy.
In addition, a deviation of the hCG index to a greater extent is observed when taking hormonal medications, the task of which is to fill the lack of progesterone in the body.
Low concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin are the reason for immediate medical attention. If the indicator is half the norm, this may indicate a frozen or ectopic pregnancy, the threat of interruption, delaying, fetal death or placental insufficiency.
Early blood count
If the fact of conception is confirmed, a woman needs to undergo a number of laboratory tests. This is necessary in order to timely identify the development of the pathological process in the future mother or fetus. Information on what tests in early pregnancy should be taken is provided by a gynecologist or therapist. But the first in this list is always a clinical study of fluid connective tissue.
A general blood test in early pregnancy is extremely informative. In particular, the following indicators are most clinically significant:
- Red blood cells. The norm for the entire gestation period is from 3.5 x 10 12 to 5.6 x 10 12 . Deviation from the norm occurs with dehydration, anemia, obesity, prolonged exposure to stress, smoking. Each of these conditions in a pregnant woman requires immediate correction.
- Hemoglobin. In the first trimester, values from 112 to 160 g / l are normal. Too low an indicator may indicate hypoxia, iron deficiency, and a lag in the physical development of the fetus. In addition, a similar condition threatens the early development of the delivery process and significant blood loss. A high hemoglobin is typical for dehydration, intestinal obstruction, diabetes mellitus, hypervitaminosis.
- Platelets. Values between 180 x 10 9 and 320 x 10 9 are normal. A slight deviation does not always indicate the presence of pathology. If it is significant, the detection of the disease and its treatment is the task of the hematologist.
- White blood cells. In the first trimester, their indicator ranges from 4 x 10 9 to 9 x 10 9 . High values, as a rule, indicate the presence of infectious diseases (including sexually transmitted infections), low values indicate a weakening of the body's defense system.
- Lymphocytes The norm is from 18 to 44%. Deviation to the larger side may indicate the presence of dangerous infectious diseases. A low rate is not a cause for concern.
When interpreting the results, the doctor takes into account the ratio of many criteria. To consider each of them individually is impractical, since this leads to erroneous conclusions.
General urine analysis
Another important study. Despite the fact that the analysis of urine for pregnancy in the early stages is uninformative, it can tell a lot about the course of the gestational period, which is especially important in the first trimester.
For doctors, the following are significant indicators:
- Color. Normally, urine should be straw yellow.
- Transparency. It should not be detected impurities.
- Specific gravity.
- pH
- Protein. It should not be at all.
- Sugar, bilirubin, ketone bodies, nitrites, hemoglobin. They should also not be in the urine.
- Red blood cells. Norm - 1-2 pcs. in sight.
- White blood cells. Norm - from 0 to 5.
- Epithelial cells. Norm - from 0 to 3.
- Cylinders
- The amount of mucus.
- Salt.
No bacteria and fungi should normally be in the urine. If available, it is customary to talk about the development of a genitourinary infection. The study is conducted every 2 weeks. This allows you to timely identify the pathological process.
Blood chemistry
With the help of this study, the doctor gets the opportunity to make the most complete picture regarding the health status of the expectant mother. Analysis in the Russian Federation is not mandatory, it is only recommended by the Ministry of Health. However, all doctors prescribe it to pregnant women, as it is considered extremely informative.
The most significant indicators are:
- Protein is common. In the first trimester, its concentration should not be less than 63 and more than 83 g / l.
- Urea. In the early stages, values in the range of 2.5 to 7.1 mmol / L are normal.
- Glucose. Should not exceed 5.8 mmol / l (at any stage of pregnancy).
- Creatinine. The norm for the first trimester is from 32 to 70 μmol / l.
- ALT and AST - no more than 31 units / l.
- Alkaline phosphatase. In the first trimester, the indicator should not be less than 40 and more than 150 units.
- Iron. The norm is from 8.93 to 30.4 μmol / l.
The study is conducted every trimester.
Test for syphilis, hepatitis and HIV
The listed infections belong to the group of perinatal. In other words, they are transmitted from the woman to the fetus and can lead to irreparable consequences. In this regard, during pregnancy, blood for syphilis, hepatitis and HIV must be donated twice (before 12 and at 30 weeks).
The reliability of the results directly depends on how responsibly the woman reacted to the rules of preparation. Any relief may lead to false values.
1 day before the biomaterial is taken, pears, carrots, fatty foods and protein-rich foods should be discarded. Donate blood to an empty stomach. In addition, for 5 days it is important to be at rest. Physical activity and getting into stressful situations should be avoided.
TORCH infection analysis
Pathologies belonging to this group are extremely dangerous for both the fetus and the woman. This is due to the fact that the presence of these infections in 17% of cases leads to stillbirth. If the child survives, it is very likely that serious violations will be detected.
The group of TORCH infections includes: toxoplasmosis, herpes, rubella, cytomegalovirus. Each woman has a different course. For example, in the first week after the fertilization process, the embryo is fully restored or dies. The infection is transmitted through the placenta, in some cases, infection occurs during movement through the birth canal.
The study is mandatory at the planning stage of pregnancy. Early analysis for TORCH infections (up to 15 weeks) helps to timely detect the presence of an ailment and take all possible measures to preserve the fetus.
Blood type and Rh factor
Even if a woman in the past has already given birth, at the onset of each subsequent pregnancy, this study is conducted. This is necessary in order to exclude the likelihood of error if the patient due to any reason needs a blood transfusion. In addition, knowledge of the group and the Rh factor allows you to timely detect the conflict between the mother and the fetus and take measures to eliminate it.
Finally
Every woman with a suspicion of conception is interested in what analysis shows early pregnancy. To confirm or exclude the fact of fertilization, it is recommended to donate blood for hCG. This is a highly accurate study that currently has the highest degree of confidence. This blood test for pregnancy in the early stages allows not only to find out whether conception has occurred or not, but also to timely identify the development of various pathologies. In the future, a woman needs to undergo a number of studies.