Think you're pregnant and want to know for sure??  If you're experiencing signs of pregnancy, a quick test should provide the answers. A pregnancy test works by measuring the levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine.  Once a fertilized egg has implanted in your uterus it produces hCG which occurs approximately 6 days after fertilization.  Over the next several weeks, the levels of hCG in your bloodstream will rise quickly at the rate of around twice the amount every 2 days. You should be able to detect the hCG hormone in your urine approximately a week after your normal menstrual cycle should begin.

The pregnancy test is a very easy to use. There are several options when choosing a test. You may need to collect your urine in a cup, urinate on a test stick or dip a test strip into the collected urine. Each test displays results differently. Some indicates results with a purple or pink line while others may display a minus or plus sign.  Most tests are work quickly showing results within five to ten minutes.

If your pregnancy test shows a negative result, do not assume you are not pregnant. If you do not begin your normal menstrual cycle within a few days, it is highly recommended you take another test or consult your physician to absolutely confirm or deny your pregnancy.  It is also possible for tests to show a false positive which can be caused by a so-called chemical pregnancy. This is a term for a fertilized egg that begins producing the hCG hormone but fails to continue developing.  In either case, the best results from a test is obtained by testing first thing in the morning as the hCG concentration is at it's highest

Here are several common signs of pregnancy that can give you additional confirmation of your pregnancy:

• Tender and Swollen Breasts - a result of increased hormone levels

• Fatigue - during pregnancy Progesterone levels rise and changes as it adapt to pregnancy thus causing you to feel more tired than usual

• Vomiting and/or Nausea - morning sickness usually affects most women approximate a month following conception and generally subsides by the end of the 2nd trimester

• Frequent Urination -  Extra fluids produced by your body presents more of a load for your kidneys to process as well as the pressure of the growing baby on your bladder.

• Heightened Sensitivity to Odors - You may find certain smells can trigger a gag reflex or cause you to feel ill even if they would not normally do so. This is caused by increasing levels of estrogen in your body.

If your pregnancy test shows a positive result and you are experiencing any one of the common pregnancy signs, you should contact your physician to confirm pregnancy and arrange necessary prenatal care during your pregnancy.