How Pregnancy Tests Work

Most pregnancy tests are accurate after the first day of a missed period.  Many women’s cycles are not regular, and the earliest a test can be taken varies depending on the cycle as well as the timing of implantation (between 1 and 6 days after fertilization).  Pregnancy tests rely on the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG),  secreted by the placenta shortly after fertilization.  hCG levels double about every two days in a pregnant woman, so the test is much more reliable two weeks after conception than one week later.

Basically, you can wait a while and then do a test, or drive yourself (and your bank account) crazy by trying them early and often.  Just don’t throw away the instructions.

You might also want to read about early pregnancy signs and reasons for late periods.

“While there is plenty of evidence that a mom’s drinking during pregnancy can cause problems for the baby, there is no evidence that the  father’s drinking at the time of conception poses any direct risk. Even if you were drinking just on the night of conception, problems would be unlikely.” Dr. Marjorie Greenfield  www.drspock.com

Experts agree that worrying about alcohol consumption prior to learning of a pregnancy is not productive, and attention should be focused on ensuring a healthy pregnancy now and in the future.

Please also see our articles on breastfeeding and alcohol, prenatal vitamins and conception preparation.

Photo: Waterford

1.  Stress
2. Dietary changes
3.  Changes in exercise levels
4.  Lack of sleep
5.  Resumption of menstruation after a time without
6.  Inconsistency or a change in birth control
7.  Intense emotion – death in the family, or falling in love
8.  Jetlag, time changes or a change in schedule
9.  Illness
10.  Changes in medications
11.  Being under or overweight
12.  Peri-menopause
13.  Menopause
14.  Pregnancy, baby.

In case you are still unsure, you can see also our very early signs of pregnancy and take a test.  Trust your body.  You know it better than anyone.  Our ovulation predictor may also be helpful.  Good luck, and you’d better take some folic acid, just in case.

- Jill Amery just loves it when her period is late.  It sets the imagination aflutter.

What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that causes developmental delay (formerly called mental retardation), certain characteristics of physical appearance and, in some cases, defects in the ears, eyes, digestive system and heart among other physical health problems. Individuals with Down syndrome have distinct facial and body features such as shorter-than-average limbs, a flattened nose and almond-shaped eyes. The most distinctive characteristic of Down syndrome is a lower than average intellectual ability. Their IQ deficiency ranges from mild to severe (averaging at about 55 whereas the average for humans is 100) but is greatly affected by the environment in which they are raised.

What causes Down syndrome?

Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is caused by an extra chromosome being present in the affected individual’s cells. DNA is organized into pairs of chromosomes and human beings have 22 pairs plus 2 pairs of sex chromosomes. Individuals with Down syndrome have a third copy of the chromosome that makes up the 21st pair and this is the cause of the disorder and all of its associated characteristics. In other words, where the average human has 22 pairs of chromosomes, a person with Down syndrome has 21 pairs and one trio of chromosomes (plus the sex chromosomes). This extra chromosome is essentially caused by a random genetic mutation that can occur at several different points in cellular development both before and after conception. Symptoms do vary dependent on what point the mutation occurred and whether the extra chromosome is complete or incomplete. Approximately 75-95% of individuals with this extra chromosome gained it from their mother’s egg with the other 5-25% gaining it from their father’s sperm.

Down syndrome can occur in a baby born to a mother of any age but the likelihood of it occurring increases with the mother’s age. For example, if the mother is under the age of 29 there is a 1 in 1000 chance that she will bear a baby with Down syndrome. If the mother is 35-39, that chance increases to 1 in 220. If the mother is 45-49, the chance increases to 1 in 25. Why is that? The leading theory as to why that is is called the “aging-ova hypothesis.” All of a woman’s ova or eggs are present when she is born. Men produce new sperm throughout their fertile life. But a woman’s eggs are as old as she is. It is thought that some older ova may have weakened due to age or exposure to toxins in the environment. Yes, the older a mother is, the risk of her child having a genetic anomaly increases, but genetic anomalies are still relatively rare and there is no need for concern until the mother is in her 40s. Even then, abnormalities are still uncommon and it is still very likely that a woman in her 40s will have a “normal” child, although never a better child. Down syndrome is not linked to the age of the father.

However, women of any age who do not have enough folic acid in their diet are more likely to have a child born with Down syndrome. A lack of folic acid in the diet prior to conception can increase the likelihood of many abnormalities in the baby. Thus it is important for women of all ages who are intending to conceive to have a diet rich in folic acid which can be found in eggs, beans, tuna and vegetables such as spinach.

What will a baby with Down syndrome be like?

Babies with Down syndrome can behave and develop a little differently from an infant without the syndrome. They may have feeding or breathing difficulties, smile less frequently, and engage in eye contact and exploration less frequently. However, all of these problems can be helped by extra, patient attention and encouragement. Individuals with Down syndrome, however, are known to have a sweet temperament and with the right support, soon the child will have the bright and happy face and demeanor of any thriving child.

What can be done to assist a child with Down syndrome?

Down syndrome can be detected prior to birth by a number of different tests and it is best to discuss such detection with your doctor. Early detection can help you prepare to raise a Down syndrome child by learning ahead of time the details of how your child might be different and what educational and social support systems are in your community for your family. Once the child is born, health problems can be detected and treatment courses can begin. Like all children, how far they develop intellectually, socially and emotionally depends largely on you. If you put effort into ensuring that your child is included in all family activities and receives the patient and dedicated support and stimulation that he needs, he will likely prosper. You must be an advocate for your child by finding the best educational and social opportunities for his individual optimal growth. This is true for all children. Support for children with Down syndrome varies with each community so it is good to do your research early in terms of what programs are available. Always start with talking to your pediatrician who will point you in the right direction.

There may be concern, as a new mother, that if you have a child that has a disability or disease of some form that will prevent him from having a “normal” life, then your child and your family will be consumed by this abnormality and will not be happy. This is simply no longer the case. If you treat an “abnormal” child as normal as is possible, there is no reason why your life or their life will be consumed by their abnormality. All children, no matter what they are like, need the same amount of love, attention, support and nurturing. But all children need different kinds of support and attention. Children with Down syndrome will have the best intellectual and social outcomes if they receive a great deal of love, acceptance, stimulation and support….just like all children. If your child will have or has Down syndrome, your life and his life may be a little different, but it will be no worse. To paraphrase the fantastic children’s author Mem Fox remember that we all laugh the same and cry the same, bleed the same and love the same. It doesn’t matter how quickly or far a child develops intellectually, as long as the child can smile and laugh and enjoy life.

How will a child with Down syndrome live as an adult?

That really depends on his childhood and the support system he has had since birth. Most adults with Down syndrome require some sort of supportive living situation. They often can hold down jobs, but are not financially independent. They can take care of themselves to a certain extent, but usually not enough to be entirely independent. There are group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities and other supportive systems in place. There are many social opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome as there is a strong network of sporting leagues for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Some adults with Down syndrome can be even busier than an average adult with their job and their sports and hobbies. Individuals with Down syndrome have been known to have a shorter life expectancy than average but a shorter life does not preclude a fulfilled life.

-Danica Longair

Urban Mommies has found two great paper pregnancy wheels you can order online:

The Pregnancy Wheel and Ovulation Calculator

by FertilAid and available on Amazon.com
Pictured above, this wheel is great for women trying to conceive and women who are already pregnant. It is adjustable for different menstrual cycle lengths, a unique feature. It can be used to predict fertility with an ovulation calendar and includes ovulation, peak fertility, implantation, when to test for pregnancy and when your missed period will be, well, missed. It also includes a chart for fetal weight and length by week and other pregnancy milestones. The wheel also suggests what points during the pregnancy you should visit the doctor for specific tests and check-ups. This wheel is $8.50 at Amazon.com.

The Personal Pregnancy Calculator and Fetal Development Charting Wheel

by Craigmedical.com
This easy to use wheel automatically calculates your due date and provides great info on physical symptoms and “discomforts” and pregnancy development milestones. There’s also a weekly chart for fetal growth and development. The makers of this wheel report that pregnancy is about 38 weeks in length but most doctors use the Naegele Rule of 10 lunar months or 9 calendar months (40 weeks). With this rule, the due date is 9 months + 7 days (280 days) after the first day of your last normal period. This pregnancy prediction kit is $6.50 and is available at the craigmedical website.

Urban Mommies also found two great electronic pregnancy wheel applications for your phone:

Blackberry “Pregnancy Wheel” – (FREE!) : includes due date calculation based on your ultrasound or the date of your last period as well as the gestational age of the fetus based on the due date.

iPhone “The Wheel” – ($5.99 US) : a gestational age calculator, this application also calculates your due date based on the date of your last period or another “known date” such as the date of an ultrasound measurement. It also includes a fetal development calendar. Available in 5 languages, it also includes a lunar calendar.

For more about conception and pregnancy visit our “The Belly” page.

-Danica Longair
With additional reporting by Jill Amery, Urbanmommies.com CEO

This Chinese Gender Prediction Chart was supposedly discovered in a tomb, and is rumoured to be over seven centuries old! The original is said to be on display at the Beijing Institute of Science in China. How accurate is it? Reports vary of course, with some reporting greater than 50% accuracy. You’re probably thinking “Hey isn’t it all in the sperm? Doesn’t the gender have nothing to do with me?” Well, recent studies have revealed that your body may be more receptive to sperm that carry a certain gender at different times and under different circumstances. So perhaps there is a little truth to this chart.

How to Use the Chart

The charts are below the article byline. To make it easier to read, we have separated the Chinese Gender Chart into two: one for women aged 18-31 and one for women aged 32-45. For the purposes of this chart, your “age” is how old you were at the time of conception in lunar months (known as your “lunar age”). To calculate your lunar age add nine months to your current age. Remember, you need your lunar age at the time of conception and not the time when the baby will be born. Next, find your lunar age along the top row of the appropriate chart below and cross reference it with the month of conception down the left-hand column. The cell where your lunar age at conception and month of conception meet reveals the ancient Chinese prediction for your baby’s gender!

Note that this chart is for entertainment purposes only. It is of course not a guarantee and we make no claims as to its accuracy…so don’t paint the nursery just yet. Yes, the original birth chart is said to be real, but it is here just for fun.  We’ve got a heap of other tools and cool pregnancy and kid charts – make sure you’re on our monthly newsletter list so you don’t miss any articles and additions.

For more great articles about conception, check out our Conception Page. Once you’ve used the charts, and you have an indication of what your baby’s gender might be, why don’t you visit our Baby Names Page to get some great baby name ideas. But make sure to have names ready for both genders, because you never know! Finally, don’t forget to check out our great Pregnancy and Baby sections for all your need to know mom-to-be information.

-Danica Longair
Content Editor
With additional reporting by Jill Amery, UrbanMommies CEO

If you had sex while you were ovulating (that is when your egg was released from your ovaries about 10 days after your period ended and about 2 weeks before your next period is due) then spotting could be a sign that you are pregnant. Spotting sometimes occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself into the wall of your uterus. Your uterus is lined with nourishing blood for the growing baby and some of this blood can be expelled at implantation. Implantation is a necessary step in pregnancy and allows mom’s body to start nourishing the growing baby.

However, not all pregnant women experience spotting, and in fact few do. So you may be pregnant but experience no spotting. Spotting also is not always a sign of pregnancy, so you may also be spotting and NOT be pregnant. If you experience spotting and your period does not follow a week or so later, of if you’re concerned about what it means, it’s time to see a doctor to find out if you could be pregnant. Spotting could mean nothing and could be nothing to worry about, just a minor blip in your menstrual cycle. If you’re worried about an unplanned pregnancy and you experience spotting, your period may soon follow. If you’re hoping that you’re pregnant and you experience spotting and then no period a week after, you might be pregnant. As always, if you have any concerns about your menstrual cycle or any other aspect of your body’s normal functioning, it is best to consult your doctor.

For weekly, informative and quick info, subscribe to our hip newsletter.  For further information and for links to our factual sources for this article, read our Signs of Implantation and Implantation Pain articles.  You might also check the top reasons for a late period.

-Danica Longair

The most common—but still rare—sign of implantation is spotting a week before you expect your period to occur. Essentially, a very small amount of blood will appear in your panties or perhaps a bit of pink or brown discharge. Some women also experience some unusual cramping during implantation and even a change in their normal body temperature.

Every woman’s cycle is different but here is how your cycle approximately goes. It begins on the first day of your period. Approximately 2 weeks after your period begins, you ovulate (an egg is released from your ovary into your fallopian tube) and this is the time you are most likely to get pregnant. Then if conception occurs (a sperm cell has fused with your egg) implantation will occur about a week after ovulation, and a week before you would expect your next period. So if spotting occurs a week before you expect your period, and you had sex about a week prior to the spotting, then it is likely that implantation has occurred and you are pregnant. Congratulations!

But don’t send out those baby announcements just yet! Spotting before your period does not guarantee that you are pregnant as spotting can be a normal part of the menstrual cycle. According to the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms of pregnancy include tender, swollen breasts, fatigue, nausea sometimes with vomiting, food aversions or cravings, headaches, constipation, mood swings and fainting or dizziness. Of course all of these are occasional symptoms of being a woman so it’s always best to check with a doctor if you think you might be pregnant or experience unusual symptoms.

You could be pregnant and experience no spotting or other symptoms of implantation whatsoever. Spotting at implantation does not always occur or can be so minimal that it is not noticeable so don’t worry if you don’t experience any signs of implantation a week after ovulating. Essentially, implantation spotting is a normal but infrequent symptom of pregnancy. Therefore the best way to determine if you are pregnant is to see a doctor. If your periods are irregular, if you find more than just a bit of blood between periods, if you have unusually large amounts of pain or if spotting occurs and then your period follows days after, it would be good to see a doctor to make sure everything is OK with your menstrual cycle and fertility. It is always good to see a doctor to confirm pregnancy before you start decorating the nursery!

Sign up for our newsletter to get more exclusive pregnancy and parenting information!

For further reading, see our Spotting Before Your Period, Implantation Pain and Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms articles.

Our factual sources for this article include the following. You may visit them for further information.

Stanford.Wellsphere.com

PregnancyToday.com

TheMayoClinic.com

WikiHealth.com

Amazingpregnancy.com

Child Development (Canadian Edition) by Laura Berk

-Danica Longair

For more information and to view links to our factual sources for this article, see our articles on Signs of Implantation and Spotting Before Your Period.

For further reading: Visit Babyzone.com for the aboce nurse’s response to the issue and our factual information source for this article.

-Danica Longair