If you're a woman, it is important to manage your health and understand what is happening to your body. Once you become sexually active, you must also understand the signs and symptoms of pregnancy and how it affects your health. If you believe you are pregnant, take a pregnancy test. There are different types, so it's important to understand their differences.
Urine Test
All pregnancy tests are used to obtain some type of measurement for hCG, human chorionic gonadotropia. HCG is a hormone produced after a baby has been conceived, so its presence in the urine signals a pregnancy. A urine test is the most commonly used type of pregnancy test. A urine test can be performed at home with a home pregnancy test (HPT) or at your doctor's office. Timing of when the test is most effective can vary by brand and type. Urine pregnancy tests come in two forms--one that requires you to collect the urine in a cup or container and insert the testing strip or one that requires you to place the testing strip in your urine stream.
Quantitative Blood Test
A quantitative blood test, also known as a beta test, is a pregnancy test that uses blood to determine whether or not you are pregnant. A quantitative blood test measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood, even down to tiny amounts. This provides more insight for you and your doctor to determine when the baby was conceived and how far along you are in your pregnancy. A quantitative blood test must be performed by your doctor.
Qualitative Blood Test
A qualitative blood test is a blood test that is used only to detect the presence of hCG in the bloodstream. This test only provides a "yes" or "no" answer as to whether or not you are pregnant. A qualitative blood test must also be performed by your doctor. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the qualitative blood test and the quantitative blood test are considered equal in accuracy.
