The first pregnancy test that any woman generally does is a home test. It is a very quick and flexible way of testing the pregnancy. This test can be done a little before the due date of your menstrual cycle. However, the result is much more accurate if it is done a week after missing the period. These kits are easily available at any pharmacy. The tests claim that these are 99% accurate but many a times, they can be misleading also. One has to make sure that the instructions are read very carefully before carrying them out.

As soon as you are aware about the positive home test, the next step should be to plan a visit to your ob/gyn where a series of tests are done to confirm the pregnancy. Besides the regular urine test, the doctor also performs a blood test. The pregnancy hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) is detected in the urine test. At the first visit, there are series of tests that are performed by your doctor. The overall physical assessment of heart, lungs and thyroid are taken care of. This is to ensure that there are no infections and nothing can be passed on to the baby. If there is anything that needs extra medical attention, then this is the right time to do it.

During the woman's regular pregnancy visits, the nurse or the mid wife always checks her weight, blood pressure and urine. In the course of time, especially at the end of the second trimester, Diabetes screening is also done. If this is present, then special attention is given to managing the sugar levels.

Hemoglobin tests are done to determine if the pregnant woman has enough iron in her body. Some women become a little anemic as the pregnancy progresses.

Many a times the doctors do get a little suspicious about the growth of the fetus before its birth. Some times, a history of genetic or any other medical disorders may lead to a high risk pregnancy. At this point of time, the patient is advised to go for an ultrasound test. This test uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the uterus and the fetus. There is no exposure to radiation. Some gel is applied on the belly of the pregnant woman and then the transducer is moved across. One will get the images of the uterus and the surrounding area and the fetus. At the 20th week ultrasound test, the sex of the fetus can be determined provided the baby is cooperating. Most of the times, the images of the developing fetus are given to the parents.

Every time a test is performed on the woman, she should feel free and ask if there are any questions about the test.