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A home pregnancy test measures the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, also known as hCG. For a pregnancy test to show positive, your body must be producing a level of hCG that the test can detect. Not all pregnancy tests are the same, however. Some tests are more sensitive than others and will show a positive result earlier than tests that are less sensitive. The box that the test came in should indicate somewhere what its sensitivity is. Sensitivity is measured in IU/L, which stands for milliInternational Units per Liter. A very sensitive test may have a sensitivity of 20 IU/L, whereas a test that is not as sensitive might have a sensitivity of 50 IU/L.
A very sensitive test may be able to produce a positive results as little as 7 days after ovulation. Implantation must occur before hCG is produced, and implantation will generally take place 6-12 days after ovulation. Thus, it makes sense to try to wait at least 12 days after ovulation to test for a reliable result. If you cannot wait that long and have other symptoms of pregnancy, you might use a test that is higher in sensitivity, but keep in mind that even if the result is negative you may still be pregnant, but just not implanted.
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| Each pregnancy, expectant mother, and unborn child is different. Your pregnancy may not progress the same as the information found here. The information here is based on the average pregnancy. It's not meant to be a replacement for any advice your may receive from your doctor. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, we advise you to contact your doctor. |
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