Electronic pregnancy test

An electronic pregnancy test allows you to determine the fact of pregnancy (or not) simply, quickly and, most importantly, almost without error: the manufacturers of such tests assure that their accuracy level is at least 99%.

Electronic pregnancy tests First Response (Gold Digital Pregnancy Test), ept Digital Pregnancy Test and CVS Digital Pregnancy Test are manufactured in the USA; Lloydspharmacy 2 Digital Pregnancy Tests are manufactured in the UK, and Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test is manufactured in Switzerland.

All of them determine pregnancy on the same principle as regular test strips, that is, based on the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. This hormone is a "marker" of pregnancy, because it begins to be produced approximately a week after conception (the implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterine lining) by the cells of the surface layer of the embryonic part of the placenta - the chorion.

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Clearblue Electronic Pregnancy Test

Today, our women are mainly offered the well-proven electronic pregnancy test Clearblue, which was developed by British specialists and has been produced by the Swiss company SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH since 2008.

The accuracy of test results is increased by their error-free decoding by a digital optical reader, which completely eliminates the human factor present when using traditional test strips.

The advantages of an electronic pregnancy test are that in addition to confirming pregnancy, this test has a Weeks Estimator, which the manufacturers call a time counter from the moment of conception within one to two, two to three, or more than three weeks.

The instructions for use for the electronic pregnancy test of this brand state that - according to the results of an experimental test - in terms of the accuracy of determining the term of pregnancy, the "clear blue" digital gestation test is practically equal to ultrasound and is more than 90%.

How to use an electronic pregnancy test?

The instructions contain clear step-by-step instructions on how to use the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test.

Basic rules for using the Clearblue test:

1. Testing should be done in a certain period - from the expected day of the next menstruation. Although it is possible to use it 2-3-4 days before the expected menstruation (but then the accuracy will be significantly lower).
2. Testing is not limited to the time of day, but maximum accuracy of the result is guaranteed when using the test on urine from the first urination after waking up.
3. It is not recommended to drink large amounts of fluids before your scheduled testing.
4. The test must be removed from the sealed packaging immediately before the procedure.
5. The protective cap from the absorbent test tip must be removed.
6. During urination, the urine stream should wet only the absorbent tip for 5 seconds. To avoid urine getting on other parts of the device, it is recommended to urinate into a dry, clean container and place the tip in the urine for 20 seconds.
7. The used wet tip must be covered with a protective cap.
8. The test should be held with the tip down, but it is best to lay it strictly horizontally.
9. The test time can be monitored by the flashing hourglass icon that appears on the indicator; the test should not be touched, turned over, shaken, etc.
10. When the hourglass icon stops flashing (after about 3 minutes), the indicator will show the results: the “+” icon means you are pregnant, the “–” icon is a negative indicator. The time elapsed since conception is indicated in weeks: 1–2, 2–3, or 3+. The test results remain on the tester screen for about a day.

Disadvantages of electronic pregnancy test

Experts highlight the following disadvantages of the electronic pregnancy test:

• If you use the test 3-4 days before the expected start of your next menstruation, the result may be incorrect;
• Not all women can get the correct result the first time, as their hCG level is not high enough at the time of testing; a repeat test is required 2-3 days after the first;
• The test results will be incorrect if the woman is being treated for infertility with hCG injections or ovulation stimulating agents.

Also, the results of testing using an electronic pregnancy test may be incorrect:

• if a woman has stopped using hormonal contraceptives shortly before the pregnancy test;
• for irregular periods;
• in case of a recent miscarriage, abortion or pregnancy.

An electronic pregnancy test will also be erroneous if a woman has germ cell or trophoblastic tumors (dysgerminoma, ovarian teratoma, choriocarcinoma, hydatidiform mole, etc.) that produce human chorionic gonadotropin.

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