Student Health

The Latest (or earliest) in Pregnancy Tests

A new blood test for the early detection of pregnancy is now available in Wellington.

This test becomes positive at the time of a missed period or even earlier; compared to the conventional urine test which becomes positive about 14 days after a missed period.

The principal advantage is that a reliable diagnosis can be given 14 days sooner than previously. This can reduce the period of anxiety expecially when there are fears of an unwanted pregnancy, but there are many other situations where an early diagnosis is important. With the new abortion procedures requiring decisions by two certifying consultants there are bound to be delays in assessment of cases. All the more reason for early diagnosis.

One drawback is the cost, $8.00 compared to $3.00 for a standard urine test and free urine tests for students at the Health Service. However we've come a long way since the first pregnancy tests in 1928 when mice were injected with urine from the pregnant woman. And we've still got a long way to go. In many areas of New Zealand the new pregnancy test is not available.

The basis for most pregnancy tests is the detection of human chorionic gonadotrophin or H. C.G; a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It can be detected in blood or urine. The new test is technically known as a [unclear: radioimmuno]-assay or A.I.A. It uses H.C.G. labelled with radio isotopes of iodine.

Late Period? Report early!