Discovering and Announcing Your Pregnancy

How Early Is Too Early To Take A Test:

-When Is the right Time?

-Which tests are available

-Choosing a home test

-The Accuracy of tests

Quiz - Should I Take A Test?

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Announcing The News

-Who to tell

-How to tell your parents and Partner

-Announcing to everyone

-Something to keep In mind

A Poll For First Time Moms.

Don't forget to take my poll!

Whether you're part of the trying-to-conceive world or simply just worried, the first thing you should know is that it takes at least three days to become pregnant after unprotected intercourse, if you do become pregnant. So if you had a slip up or the deed happened just last night, don't go rushing to the store to buy a home pregnancy test. With most great things, it takes time. Another thing with taking a test too soon is that most of your HCG levels won't be high enough to give you an accurate result, again, if you are actually pregnant.

So when would be the right time to take a test? According to Parents.com, most at-home pregnancy tests can detect a pregnancy up to 5 days before your missed period. But you should be aware that, as stated above, a test that is taken too early could give you a false negative. For me, my second month without a cycle was when I finally decided something was up, that I could be pregnant. As I'd predicted, the test had come up positive. But, if you planned on becoming pregnant or you're trying to conceive and you're too anxious to wait a whole two months, I don't blame you for wanting accurate results as soon as possible. So you decide it's time to buy a test.

Which pregnancy tests are available? WebMD has two pregnancy tests listed. The first is a urine test. For most women, a urine test is most convenient and private. It's also the more popular choice. You can take one either in the privacy of your own home or you could choose to go to your doctor's office. Usually, even though these tests state they can detect positive results within 5 days before your missed period, most women take them a week after rather than before.

The second test available is the blood test, only to be taken at your doctor's office. These tests are less popular but they can also detect if you're pregnant earlier than what a urine test could. With the benefit of that, there's also a downfall; you're left waiting in anticipation for results that take a longer amount of time to come back.

Choosing a home pregnancy test: If you decide a blood test is too long of a wait or blood simply makes you queasy, it's fine to rely on a home pregnancy test, but you shouldn't solely rely on just one. I'm not saying go crazy and take 10 or more pregnancy tests in a month, but I am saying to make sure you check with your doctor. Just because a test gives you a negative result doesn't mean you're not pregnant. In rare cases will you ever get a false positive result.

The accuracy of a pregnancy test: Most pregnancy tests state their accuracy on the box, but WebMD and Parents.com state that urine tests are 97% accurate. But many factors come into the accuracy of the test:

• how closely the instructions are followed
• the sensitivity of the test
• how far along you are in your pregnancy
• when you ovulated in your cycle

And I'll state again that it is rare that you will receive a false pregnancy test.

My personal experience: As previously stated, it took me two months of missing my monthly cycle before I finally decided it was time to take a pregnancy test. Unfortunately, I hadn't done my research on pregnancy until after I confirmed I was pregnant, so it took me three tests before going to the doctor. My first test was a .99 cent one from the local Save-A-Lot, just in case it was negative. I didn't want to waste $20 on a test if I didn't have to. To my own shock, it was positive. So we drove to Wal-Mart afterwards and bought a 2 pack of the ClearBlue brand, which is the most recommended. It's also very sensitive and a great example of why you should follow the directions. My first test out of the pack, I just winged it, figuring nothing special needed to be done for correct results. Until the control window wouldn't show, giving me an unavailable result. The second one out of the pack, and my third test in total, I followed the directions and got another positive answer.

Parents.com has an article with a list of 10 pregnancy tests you can take at home. If you're unsure of which brand to go with, this will provide you with good information that could help you decide.

Who Should You Tell? Now you're absolutely positive (pun intended) you're pregnant and you can't wait to spread the news! Most articles tell you not to tell everyone about your exciting information until at least the second trimester of the pregnancy. This is because in your first trimester, that's when your fetus is the most vulnerable to a miscarriage. So in the first trimester, only tell it to the father, if that situation is applicable, your partner, if he/she isn't the father, and the grandparents of the child. Anyone else doesn't need to know, because if you do have bad news later on, it'll be easier on you if you don't have to explain to the entirety of Facebook your loss. An exception could be your closest friend who you can't bear to hide the secret from.

How to Tell Your Partner and Parents: For me, I immediately called my mom to tell her the news. Her and I, we're not very close, but I knew she'd support me regardless. Unfortunately for Logan (baby's father), I was in the middle of discussing how to tell him with my mom, when he came outside to hear me talking. So there was no preparing him for what I was about to tell him. Unless you've been trying for baby for awhile now, there's no way to tell unsuspecting family that is the "correct" way. My best advice is, if possible, do it together. You two are the best support for each other, because it's YOUR baby. Do what you're comfortable with. If the timing isn't right, then wait until it is. It's probably important to do it over a phone call or in person. Chances are, you know your parents best and you know how to tell them big news. Go with your gut on this one. For those who've been waiting for pregnancy, this should be pretty easy. Either way, you should be excited!

Announcing Your Pregnancy To Everyone Else: This announcement is one of the most meaningful and fun parts of the entire pregnancy, not to replace the excitement of finding out the gender or actually having the baby. This is where you can get super creative, not that you couldn't before when you told your love and parents, but I saved the big maternity photos for when I could tell everyone. How I revealed I was having a little bundle of joy was me posting a picture of me holding a positive pregnancy test on Facebook, because I couldn't wait. Babycenter.com has a list of other moms' stories on how they told their family and friends.

Something to Keep In Mind: It's best to keep anyone who's working against you or only has negative remarks out of your great experience. You don't need anyone ruining something that's supposed to be so wonderful. Plus, as you raise this child, it'll be time to keep as much drama away as possible. In this time in life, all you need is the most support that you can get.