Test and Discharge
Home pregnancy tests are very accurate after the first day of your missed period. If you get a positive result on a home pregnancy test, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. An ultrasound will be used to confirm and date your pregnancy.
Pregnancy is diagnosed by measuring the body’s levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Also referred to as the pregnancy hormone, hCG is produced upon implantation. However, it may not be detected until after you miss a period.
After you miss a period, hCG levels increase rapidly. hCG is detected through either a urine or a blood test.
Urine tests may be provided at a doctor’s office, and they’re the same as the tests you can take at home.
Blood tests can be performed in a laboratory. hCG blood tests are about as accurate as home pregnancy tests. The difference is that blood tests may be ordered as soon as six days after ovulation.
The sooner you can confirm you’re pregnant, the better. An early diagnosis will allow you to take better care of your baby’s health. Get more information on pregnancy tests, such as tips for avoiding a “false negative” result.
An increase in vaginal discharge is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Your production of discharge may increase as early as one to two weeks after conception, before you’ve even missed a period.
As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll continue to produce increasing amounts of discharge. The discharge will also tend to become thicker and occur more frequently. It’s usually heaviest at the end of your pregnancy.
During the final weeks of your pregnancy, your discharge may contain streaks of thick mucus and blood. This is called “the bloody show.” It can be an early sign of labor. You should let your doctor know if you have any bleeding.
Normal vaginal discharge, or leukorrhea, is thin and either clear or milky white. It’s also mild-smelling.
If your discharge is yellow, green, or gray with a strong, unpleasant odor, it’s considered abnormal. Abnormal discharge can be a sign of an infection or a problem with your pregnancy, especially if there’s redness, itching, or vulvar swelling.
If you think you have abnormal vaginal discharge, let your healthcare provider know immediately. Learn more about vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
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