As a woman, an ob/gyn, and a mother, Dr. Shari Brasner understands the many emotions involved in pregnancy testing -- and the importance of getting accurate results. According to her, it's critical for women to educate themselves on the facts about pregnancy and the use of home pregnancy tests.
Read on for Dr. Brasner's advice in response to commonly asked questions about pregnancy and testing.
What does it feel like to be pregnant? Is there the possibility that I will know that I'm pregnant without taking a test?
How does a home pregnancy test work?
Is a home pregnancy test as effective as a clinical test?
Can I test immediately after sexual intercourse?
When is the best time to test?
When is the best time to test if I don't know when to expect the first day of my cycle or if my menstrual cycle is irregular?
Is it possible to get my period and still be pregnant?
If I receive a negative reading, but I suspect I might be pregnant anyway, how much time should I wait to take another test? Should I see my doctor?
What are the chances of receiving a false negative response?
What causes a false negative and is there any way to avoid it?
During my ovulation cycle, when is the optimal time to get pregnant?
If I'm trying to get pregnant, what are some things I can do to improve my chances?
Are there any nutritional guidelines I should follow when trying to get pregnant?
Are there any behaviors I should avoid when trying to get pregnant? Is it ok to wait until I know I'm pregnant?
How does anxiety from not knowing if I'm pregnant affect the fetus?
If I take any prescription medications, when should I stop taking them?
About Dr. Shari Brasner, MD
What does it feel like to be pregnant? Is there the possibility that I will know that I'm pregnant without taking a test?
Some women develop symptoms as early as two weeks after conception. The most common symptoms include nausea, fatigue and breast tenderness.
How does a home pregnancy test work?
A home pregnancy test relies on detecting a substance called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) -- the "pregnancy hormone" -- in a woman's urine. Using a home pregnancy test, such as e.p.t® , is effective and easy. e.p.t® uses a plus (pregnant) or minus (not pregnant) reading. There is also a version available that offers a digital reading with an unmistakable " Pregnant" or " Not Pregnant" read-out.
Is a home pregnancy test as effective as a clinical test?
A blood test administered by a doctor can detect lower levels of the hCG hormone than a home pregnancy test. But there are downsides to using blood tests to diagnose early pregnancy such as the expense; the pain of drawing blood; needing to see a doctor; and the potentially longer wait.
Can I test immediately after sexual intercourse?
Testing immediately after intercourse is not something I recommend because doing so could result in a false negative. Home pregnancy tests rely on an accumulation of the hormone in the urine, which generally will show a positive test at the time of an expected period.
When is the best time to test?
I recommend that patients wait until they've missed at least the first day of their expected period before performing a home pregnancy test.
When is the best time to test if I don't know when to expect the first day of my cycle or if my menstrual cycle is irregular?
If a woman's cycles are irregular, I suggest keeping a record or your cycle every month to identify the shortest and longest intervals between periods. If a woman gets to the end of the longest interval recorded without a period, testing is certainly advised. Also, testing is recommended if any symptoms that might suggest pregnancy are present (breast tenderness, fatigue or nausea.) Some women with irregular cycles benefit from using ovulation predictor kits when attempting to get pregnant. A pregnancy test can be used two weeks after an LH surge, but re-testing 2-3 days after a negative result is also recommended if a woman is not certain of the date of her expected period.
Is it possible to get my period and still be pregnant?
There are several reasons why a woman who is pregnant may experience some vaginal bleeding. Usually this bleeding differs in either quantity or quality from a usual period. Many women may interpret this bleeding as her expected period, but if there is reason to believe that the woman is pregnant, she should do a home urine test.
If I receive a negative reading, but I suspect I might be pregnant anyway, how much time should I wait to take another test? Should I see my doctor?
If you've already missed the first day of an expected period, I recommend waiting 2-3 days before repeating the test with a new e.p.t® stick. There are many reasons why any given menstrual cycle can be atypical and a woman should consult her doctor if she suspects a more serious condition. If testing before the first day of your expected period, then wait until the day of your expected period to test again. If you are uncertain when your period is, then wait until two weeks after you suspect conception occurred.
What are the chances of receiving a false negative response?
The result of a home pregnancy test depends on timing. From my experience, if the test is done too early (before an expected period), the risk of a false negative test is significant.
What causes a false negative and is there any way to avoid it?
A false negative test is one that registers negative even though the woman in fact is pregnant. Her test will become positive if she simply waits for the hormone levels to rise. The best way to avoid a false negative test is to wait to perform the test until the first day of your expected period.
During my ovulation cycle, when is the optimal time to get pregnant?
Women need to understand that they typically ovulate 14 days before the next period is expected. Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary. Most conceptions seem to occur with sex in the few days leading up to and including the day of ovulation.
If I'm trying to get pregnant, what are some things I can do to improve my chances?
I recommend that patients keep track of the interval between periods. It is simplest to count from day one to the next day one. If you subtract 14 from that interval, then you have calculated the likely day of ovulation. Start trying about five days before that and have sex about every other day through the day of ovulation. Sexual intercourse after the day of ovulation is less likely to result in a pregnancy.
Are there any nutritional guidelines I should follow when trying to get pregnant?
The FDA recommends that pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant avoid eating mackerel, tilefish, swordfish, and shark because of their high levels of mercury. I also recommend that women start a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid at least three months prior to conceiving.
Are there any behaviors I should avoid when trying to get pregnant? Is it ok to wait until I know I'm pregnant?
I recommend that women cut down on their caffeine intake and moderate their alcohol consumption as well. Obviously, I try to get all smokers to quit. Making these changes before you have a positive pregnancy test always makes sense. Once pregnant, many women look back on the weeks before they could have known and worry about the exposures to the fetus.
How does anxiety from not knowing if I'm pregnant affect the fetus?
Many women experience some anxiety when they are trying to conceive. If anxiety is extreme and interfering with ability to eat or sleep, it might affect a pregnancy in the early stages. I remind patients that there may be anxiety before and during pregnancy, so it is important to focus on relaxing even before getting pregnant.
If I take any prescription medications, when should I stop taking them?
Never stop a prescription medication without talking to your doctor first. While there are many prescription medications that are safe and even advisable for a pregnant woman to take, be sure to speak to your doctor about taking or changing any medications.
About DR. SHARI BRASNER, MD
Dr. Brasner knows a thing or two about pregnancy. In addition to being an obstetrician/gynecologist in private practice on Manhattan's Upper East Side, she co-authored Advice from a Pregnant Obstetrician (Hyperion, April 1998) – and is the proud mother of nine-year old twins, Samantha and Zachary. She also teaches obstetrics and gynecology at Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she is affiliated and is an assistant clinical professor.
Dr. Brasner shares her knowledge about pregnancy and gynecology issues on radio and television, including 20/20 and Living it Up with Ali and Jack. She has made almost 20 appearances on ABC's The View since Star Jones introduced her as "The View's Gynecologist." Most recently, Dr. Brasner delivered View host Elizabeth Hasselbeck's baby in March 2005.
She also has been quoted in numerous publications including Parents, Pregnancy, New York Magazine, The New York Observer, Woman's Day, and US Weekly. (Patients love her, too. Read their comments at www.urbanbaby.com.)
Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Brasner graduated from New York University's School of Medicine as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and holds a bachelor of science with distinction from Cornell University. She completed her post-graduate residency training program at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.
In her extremely small amounts of free time, she enjoys knitting and planning the next family vacation.
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