Pregnancy tests aren't exactly rocket science, but this one's worth a special mention because it not only tells you if you're pregnant or not, but also gives you an estimate of the gestation period.
I'd been trying for a baby for four long years, and when I finally got pregnant, it was a surprise, to say the least. We'd been preparing for IVF, had all the paperwork in order, and even got a free quota, but then we found out I needed a procedure to check my fallopian tubes. I'd had the paperwork, but the doctor didn't like the way the test was done, so we had to start all over again.
My gynecologist told me to wait for my next period to rule out pregnancy and schedule the laparoscopy. I waited and waited, but it never came. I'd always been regular, but this time, nothing. I thought about the possibility of pregnancy, but I didn't believe it could happen so easily, after all those years of trying and just when we thought we had it all figured out. But just to be sure, I found an old, cheap test that had expired, and to my surprise, it showed two lines.
'Come on!' I thought. 'This can't be! What pregnancy?' I'd been feeling queasy and weak, but I'd been wanting to hike and chop wood, not take it easy. I guess the baby was already making its presence known.
And just a few days before my expected period, I was experiencing symptoms similar to those before my period: cramps and a general feeling of discomfort in my lower abdomen. Now I know that's one of the early signs of pregnancy, as the blood flow to the uterus increases to help the fertilized egg implant.
So, to be sure, I decided to buy a new test – not just any test, but a digital one. That way, when I showed it to my husband, it would be more convincing, with the words and numbers on the screen.
Where to buy: the test is pretty common, and you can find it in most pharmacies, including online ones. I found it in the first one I visited.
Price: way higher than the regular test; it's currently going for 573 rubles on Apteka.ru. I bought mine 4 years ago for 381 rubles.
Description:
The Clearblue Digital test for determining pregnancy and gestation age is an innovative tool for self-determination of conception and approximate gestation age. The test is digital, making the result interpretation process very simple and accessible. Given the strong emotional aspect of pregnancy, many women experience anxiety and fear during family planning, and the Clearblue Digital test provides a quick and reliable answer to the main question. The test is easy to use, doesn't require special skills, and is suitable for use at home.
Packaging: The test comes in a box with instructions
and sealed in a waterproof, air-tight package.
Instruction:
What struck me about this test is its unique design, kind of like a highlighter: it's a marker for identifying pregnancy.
The tip is covered with a cap, and there's an electronic display on the handle.The tip is quite wide and long, making it easy to perform the procedure without getting the device wet.
How to use the Clearblue electronic pregnancy test.
The procedure is straightforward - just read the instructions:
If you're testing before your expected period, you need to use the first morning urine to get accurate results for the weeks indicator.
Method of use
1. Remove the blue cap from the test
2. Hold the absorbent tip under the urine stream for 5 seconds or dip it into a collected urine sample for 20 seconds.
3. Wait 3 minutes.
4. The result will appear on the screen with the number of weeks since conception:
a. Pregnant 1-2
b. Pregnant 2-3
c. Pregnant 3+
d. Not pregnant
I collected the urine in a container, which I found more reliable - I didn't want to miss the mark. I held it for the recommended 20 seconds, maybe a bit longer.
The result wasn't long in coming: I don't remember how many minutes passed, but time flew by, and on the little screen, the words I was waiting for appeared:
The wait was almost unbearable - I'd done another test beforehand, but I still struggled to believe it. Excitement and nervousness were building up inside me, and I had to find a way to break the news to my husband. I placed the test in a visible spot and waited, and he was just as stunned and thrilled as I was, taking a while to wrap his head around the fact that it was finally happening! Of course, we still had to confirm it with an ultrasound, but the test had already started the process of coming to terms with becoming parents.
The digital display shows the result for about 24 hours, then it goes dark.
I've also had a false negative test in the past, when there was a slight delay, but it turned out there was no pregnancy.
Reading those words was tough for me, but for others, they might be a welcome surprise, signaling an unplanned pregnancy that didn't quite work out.
What I value about this test is that it shows the pregnancy timeline, if there is one.
In many cases, the electronic test is just a fun bonus, a nice addition to the regular test and a reason to take cute photos. But there are situations where this test can really help and not delay seeking medical attention. I had a pregnancy once where I only found out a month later: there were no initial symptoms, just very light periods, and I thought it might be just a minor issue, like a vaginal infection. I even inserted some diclofenac suppositories with dimexide tampons. But a month later, I got a 'striped' test result, and a few days later, my period started. It turned out I was 7 weeks pregnant, but the pregnancy didn't stick. If I'd done the test earlier and gotten a digital reading, maybe we could've done something about it. But this time, it wasn't meant to be.
I've found that women with irregular cycles or delayed periods can get a lot out of this test, as it can give them an idea of how far along they are in case of pregnancy.
Misinterpretations of test results.
There are cases where the test shows a positive result, but there's no pregnancy: this could be due to medication, a miscarriage (which can happen early on), or another health issue in the woman.
And then there are cases where the test shows a negative result, but a pregnancy is later confirmed. This can happen if the test is taken too early, or if the woman's cycle is super unpredictable.
It's all clearly outlined in the instructions, so it's not the test's fault.
So, it's more about the woman's body and its quirks, rather than the test itself.
And this test is extremely accurate:
Tolerance for determining the pregnancy term is 92%.
The due date I got from the test matched the one from my ultrasound. I've used the test three times in different situations, and it never let me down. Of course, I've never had a regular cycle before.
You can use the test 5 days before your period is due (which is 4 days before your expected period starts).
When a test can be super important. I'm no doctor, but I can imagine that in these situations, the test would be more than just a fun little gadget:
For women with irregular cycles, it can help figure out how far along they are.
V If you want to know if you're pregnant without doing an ultrasound or blood test, this thing is a game-changer. Every week or two, it'll show you if your pregnancy is progressing or not.
V If you've had super light periods, it's possible you're pregnant, but there might be some complications.
The bottom line. This Clearblue electronic test is super informative and accurate. It clearly shows whether you're pregnant or not, and even gives you an estimate of how far along you are. That's a huge deal when it comes to managing your pregnancy.
I hope you get the results you're hoping for!
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