Early Pregnancy Tests & Cervical Stitching: What You Need to Know

Question
Hello,
I think I might be pregnant My next period is due on the 30th of April, I was thinking of taking one of those pregnancy test that can tell you five days before your pissed period. How accurate do you think those are. I just cant wait to know I'm so excited.

Also if I want to get my cervix stiched do I just tell the DR. Thats what I want I have had 2 premmies so I thought this way might help me go full term. Do you think That will help.

Thank you so much for listening.

Answer
Hi Jaime,

here is how those home tests work. they pick up on Hcg hormone which is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (the pregnancy hormone.)It MAY be too early, even though the tests say 5 days before your missed period, because you COULD very well be pregnant and just not have a high enough level of HcG in your urine to pick up. Most of the  home tests will read a positive at 100 HcG.  The doctors office urine tests usually are 25 and a beta Hcg blood test would pick up ANY number, even as low as 5.

So, I would give it a shot, it cant hurt- but KEEP trying, even if you get a negative. I have actually heard that the dollar store cheapo brand test works very well!  I spent WAY too much money on name brand tests. Again though, just because you get a negative on the Home test DO NOT GIVE UP because your Hcg might just be too low  for it to pick up yet.

As far as the cerclage (that is the stitching of the cervix) i just had to have this done a month ago in fact. I have always dilated a little early with both my two children and was really surprised to find that at  26 weeks with this pregnancy (the surrogate baby) i was 1 cm dilated! So the next day the Dr did the cerclage. I will tell you it was painless, I had general anesthesia and I am glad it was done, to safeguard things.  It may very well help you- does the doctor know WHY you go into such early labor? I didnt start labor, there were no contractions- just the dilating and some effacing. I would definitely talk to the doctor about the cerclage and see if it would help. I am told  my doctor will take the stitch out at 36 weeks or so.  

Good luck!  I am excited for you and hope all goes well.
andi