Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein hormone primarily secreted in significant amounts by the placenta during pregnancy. It consists of two subunits, alpha and beta; the alpha component is identical to that of TSH, luteinizing hormone LH , and follicle stimulating hormone FSH.
Other potential causes of elevations include ectopic pregnancy, 3 liver or gastrointestinal disorders, 4 — 6 trophoblastic or germ cell tumors, 7 , 8 and certain non-trophoblastic neoplasia.
Ectopic pregnancy is an implantation of a fertilized ovum outside the uterine cavity; 8 in 90 percent of the cases, the fallopian tube is the primary site. The two major categories of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma. Hydatidiform mole is usually benign or locally invasive, while choriocarcinoma may metastasize. Since newly hospitalized psychiatric patients are often compromised historians, screening the women for pregnancy is important. It remains a physician's individualized clinical judgment to determine at what age pregnancy testing is no longer required.
It is critical for the psychiatrist to know his or her patient's pregnancy status because many pharmaceuticals, like lithium or divalproex, are potentially teratogenic. Failure to elevate in this way excludes normal pregnancy, but an ectopic or non-pregnant condition then becomes a consideration.
Further elevations after menopause might suggest the presence of hepatic disease 5 , 6 or a tumor e. Other conditions may also raise levels, though not showing the rapid doubling characteristic as seen in normal pregnancies. A significant upsurge in 24 to 36 hours, for instance, is suggestive of pregnancy. In our clinical experience, a percent rise in the level is significant for a pregnancy; this degree of elevation may be detectable in as little as 12 hours. Moderately elevated concentrations generally prompt more evaluation and follow-up.
Ultimately, the clinical severity of the case dictates treatment decisions, but a rapid determination of pregnancy status is vital to improving outcomes. The authors wish to thank Jack Draper, medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine for his editorial and computer assistance on this article.
National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List Psychiatry Edgmont v. Psychiatry Edgmont. Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Corresponding author. Copyright notice. Ectopic pregnancies are medical emergencies. Ectopic pregnancies can be damaging to the woman if left untreated. Extreme blood loss or loss of the reproductive organs can occur. You may continue to test positive for pregnancy following the loss of a pregnancy, either through miscarriage or abortion.
During pregnancy, hCG levels continue to rise as the placenta grows, doubling every few days and peaking at around 10 weeks. The hormone can remain in your blood and urine for up to six weeks following the end of the pregnancy. This will cause hCG levels to remain elevated. When this occurs, a minor surgical procedure called a dilation and curettage D and C is often required to remove the tissue. Check the expiration date before using the test. Even with these safeguards, user error can occur.
One of the most common mistakes is taking the test too early during your cycle. This can cause either a false negative or a false positive. Use the test when your urine is very concentrated, like when you first wake up in the morning.
Leaving the dipstick in your urine stream for the exact amount of time allotted is also important. Consider setting a timer on a stopwatch or your phone.
That can help you track how long the dipstick has been in your urine stream. Checking your results during the result time frame is also important. Sometimes an evaporation line can be mistaken for a positive pregnancy test. The lines are usually a bright color, such as pink, red, or blue. Sometimes, a faint-colored second line will appear. This line may represent an early pregnancy or it may be an evaporation line.
It is essential that you make the exact kind of positive pregnancy test. Colored tape can be cut to give small thin strips.
Sticking this tape on the pregnancy test gives a realistic feel to the pregnancy test. Even if the positive result is a plus sign, you can make it look like that using a tape. Women who have tried this way say that drinking certain beverages alters your hormones.
They make the pregnancy test positive. You can make a thick paste of baking soda and water and use it. Baking soda has many volatile components that can give a fake positive pregnancy test. You can store urine for 24 hours. So ask some pregnant woman you know to give you an early morning urine sample. Then you can keep the urine in a container with a lid. Use this urine sample to make a pregnancy test positive. You can take a used pregnancy test that has a positive result and shows it.
It is the best way to make a pregnancy test positive. Make sure the pregnancy test is not dirty. It will be better to take a used pregnancy test with a cap on. If these physical changes come as a surprise—or if this is baby number one—you may find yourself facing a steep learning curve.
Of course, instinct may kick into gear and some things will come naturally. Other parts of pregnancy and early parenting will require a bit more time, patience and practice. The good news is that there are plenty of resources available to help you navigate this new stage of life, from books to podcasts and apps. You can also sign up for expert-led classes to gain a deeper understanding of labor and delivery issues, breastfeeding and newborn care; these sessions are often hosted at local hospitals or community centers.
Our advice? But there are a few foods that should be avoided : Steer clear of cold cuts, deli salads, unpasteurized cheeses and refrigerated smoked seafood, since these can house listeria , a bacteria that can cause pregnancy complications. You should also limit your caffeine intake to no more than mg a day. Tired of chugging plain water? Sparkling water, fruit-infused H20 and even watermelon smoothies just blend watermelon with a bit of frozen berries are excellent alternatives to not-so-appetizing flat water.
So what workouts are pregnancy-friendly? There are plenty of ways to stay fit safely—from prenatal yoga classes to walking, swimming and more. Anja Pierre , a personal trainer in New York City, recommends focusing on exercises like planks and squats that utilize the core and the pelvic floor. Try moves that engage the glutes and shoulders and work on the proper alignment of the spine, which in turn preps you for carrying your growing frontal load. You have just 18 years to squirrel away the money for a college education and they go by quickly!
Want to guess how much? What else is on the list of what to do after a positive pregnancy test? Head to the benefits department.
0コメント