Pregnancy tests are an easy, reliable way for women to determine if they are pregnant.
Pregnancy tests have been commercially available since 1976 and over the years have been continually refined and improved.
Our team of health and lifestyle experts have compiled the following list of benefits produced by the modern pregnancy test.
16 Benefits Of A Pregnancy Test
The primary benefit of a pregnancy test is, of course, knowing whether you are expecting or not. But being able to detect a pregnancy early can provide an array of secondary benefits as well. Here are the 16 most important benefits produced by a pregnancy test.
1: A pregnancy test is the easiest way to find out if you are pregnant.
With the exception of a blood test conducted by your doctor, the modern home pregnancy is the best way to determine if you are pregnant. It is also the most convenient since you do not have to take time from your busy schedule to go to the doctor’s office. You can perform the test after you wake up and have the results in just a few minutes.
2: A pregnancy test can alert you to a birth control failure.
While oral contraceptives are, for the most part, very reliable, they are not foolproof. 5% or more of women using the birth control pill wind up pregnant each year (1). When it happens, it can be extremely disconcerting, and the women involved need to know as quickly as possible so they can determine the right course of action. A pregnancy test can provide that information.
3: A pregnancy test can signal it is time to make changes.
Women wishing to have a healthy baby may need to make changes once the pregnancy test signals they are pregnant. Eating habits may need to be modified, and it will be essential to minimize contact with harmful chemicals. Alcohol consumption should be avoided (2), and those that smoke will need to quit immediately (3).
4: A pregnancy test is faster than a blood test.
Blood tests typically provide slightly more accurate results than urine tests. They also provide more information. But regardless of what a blood test is looking for, it will need to be sent to a lab. There, it will be put in line with everything else. So, it can take several days to get the results back. By comparison, a home pregnancy test can provide the information you need in as little as five minutes.
5: A pregnancy test can provide guidance for using medications.
If a woman is taking medication, she will want to discuss the matter with her doctor to ensure there is no chance the medication may cause problems. Some common medications are safe to take while pregnant others are not. For instance, something as simple as your antacid may increase the risk of birth defects (4).
6: A pregnancy test can be bought without a prescription.
There are not many things associated with healthcare that are available without a prescription today. But fortunately, the pregnancy test is one of them. They can be purchased quickly and easily by anyone who needs one either online or in a pharmacy. Many other types of stores sell them as well, including some convenience stores.
7: A pregnancy test puts an end to uncertainty.
Uncertainty and stress are inextricably linked (5). And few situations are as stressful as wondering if you might be pregnant. The degree of uncertainty is intense, as are the myriad feelings that wash over a woman as she waits to find out whether her suspicions about being pregnant are justified. A simple pregnancy test can put an end to the uncertainty in just a few minutes.
8: A pregnancy test is simple.
Lab tests tend to be extremely complex procedures. But the home pregnancy test is blissfully simple. All you need do is wet the end of the test strip as indicated in the instructions and wait a few minutes.
9: A pregnancy test can be conducted in private.
Pregnancy is an intensely personal experience from beginning to end. For a variety of reasons, when they first begin to suspect they may be pregnant, many women want to keep their suspicions to themselves until they know for sure one way or another. A pregnancy test can be purchased discretely and performed in private, so your business stays your business.
10: A pregnancy test is accurate.
When used as directed, most of the best pregnancy tests will provide an accurate result 99 times out of 100. In order to ensure the most accurate possible result, make sure you follow the instructions on the package to the letter.
11: A pregnancy test is affordable.
Americans spend billions of dollars every year on needed and unneeded medical tests (6). When compared to most medical tests today, home pregnancy tests are incredibly affordable. For just a few dollars you can find out if you are pregnant and start formulating the best response for you. Few other devices, except perhaps the thermometer, can provide such useful information so quickly and affordably.
12: A pregnancy test is not affected by most medications.
Pregnancy tests are not affected one way or the other by most common medications. So if you are taking NSAIDs for pain, antibiotics to deal with an infection, or most other medications, you can go ahead with your pregnancy test without worrying.
13: A pregnancy test can be an exciting thing to share.
Sharing a pregnancy test with your partner can be an exciting experience. It can help reinforce the bond between you and provide a way for both of you to deal productively with your uncertainty and even anxiety. It is likely neither one will ever forget the moment the pregnancy test came back positive.
14: A pregnancy test can be done virtually anywhere.
Blood pregnancy tests have to be performed in a doctor’s office under medical supervision. By contrast, you can perform a pregnancy test anywhere at any time. (Although it is recommended you do so first thing in the morning.) If you are on vacation overseas, on an epic road trip or away at college, you can perform a pregnancy test if need be.
15: A pregnancy test can eliminate other potential causes for your symptoms.
Numerous other conditions can cause nausea and other symptoms that mimic those of pregnancy (7). Viral infections, stress, ulcers, changes in diet, and more may produce pregnancy like symptoms. Performing a pregnancy test can eliminate these as the cause of your symptoms.
16: A pregnancy test can help you get out in front of work challenges.
There is little doubt that pregnancy is going to impact your professional life. So the sooner you start planning on how to accommodate and adjust to that impact, the better off you will be. No one should have to give up their career if they do not want to simply because they are pregnant. But finding a way to accommodate the needs of both job and baby will take time.
Conclusion
A pregnancy test is a safe and dependable way to determine if you are pregnant. But they also produce a number of other benefits, including altering you to a birth control failure, giving you time to adjust mentally and emotionally to the new reality and enabling you to make lifestyle changes that will promote a happy, healthy baby.