The most accurate method of determining whether a woman has conceived is a pregnancy test. Blood or urine is required as samples to perform the tests.

There are certain pregnancy hormones that are detected by these tests in blood or urine to confirm or negate pregnancy. However, there is a specific time period after which these tests should be performed. Tests taken before time could lead to false negative results.One of the earliest tests that can be taken to diagnose pregnancy is the rosette inhibition assay for early pregnancy factor or EPF. This test can diagnose conception within 48 hours of fertilization since EPF starts circulating in the blood of a pregnant woman within this short time span itself. Many may not prefer to take this test owing to the high expenditure involved.

The next test that can help determine pregnancy at the earliest is blood test that measures the hCG levels in blood. In the year 1930, research highlighted the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG released by the trophoblast cells of the fertilized ovum into the blood of a pregnant woman. However, the surge in hCG occurs only after implantation, which may require a duration of 6 to 12 days after ovulation. A blood human chorionic gonadotropin test can give results after 10 to 12 days of ovulation, which means about a week prior to the actual date of one’s menstruation.

Pregnancy can be tested via home pregnancy kits as well. These were launched in the mid 1970s. These kits are also based on the detection of the surge in hCG level but in urine, not in blood. However, since it takes a certain number of days for the hCG to show up in urine, therefore it is advisable to perform these tests after the missed period. The sensitivity of the particular kit determines the time at which it is to be taken. Some of most sensitive brands yield results on the first day of the missed period.   

Apart from blood or urine tests, pregnancy can be detected through obstetric ultrasonagraphy as well. This branch of science established in the 1960’s can help in visualizing pregnancy as early as two and a half weeks after ovulation. In case of pregnancy, the gestation sac is visible by this time and the heart beat is evident as early as 6 weeks in some cases.

At times results may turn out to be false negatives mainly due to the miscalculation of the day of ovulation. As the accuracy of pregnancy tests is based on ovulation, at times the signs of pregnancy may showcase as late as 17 days of copulation. Also, there may be false positive results at times. The reasons for this include high level of hCG due to administration of fertility injections or diseases of the liver and cancer that naturally elevate the level of this hormone in the body.

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