Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the hormone that confirms pregnancy.
Understanding hCG
hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone produced by the cells surrounding a developing embryo. This hormone is only present in the body during pregnancy. Its presence is the key indicator used by pregnancy tests to determine if a woman is pregnant.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
Pregnancy tests, whether home tests or those conducted by medical professionals, detect the presence of hCG in urine or blood. The amount of hCG present increases significantly during the early stages of pregnancy.
- Home Pregnancy Tests: These tests are convenient and readily available. They detect hCG in urine.
- Blood Tests (Quantitative hCG): These tests, performed by healthcare providers, measure the exact amount of hCG in the blood. This provides a more precise assessment and is used to monitor pregnancy progression and detect potential complications such as ectopic pregnancy. A blood test can often detect pregnancy earlier than a urine test.
Several reputable sources confirm this information:
- Healthdirect: "[The hCG test] can be used to both confirm and monitor a pregnancy." https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hcg-test
- Cleveland Clinic: "Pregnancy tests work by checking your pee or blood for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone your body makes if you're pregnant." https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9703-pregnancy-tests
- MedlinePlus: "A pregnancy test measures a hormone in the body called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or hCG). HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003432.htm
- Better Health Channel: "Tests to confirm pregnancy detect a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG)." http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/pregnancy-tests-and-scans
- American Pregnancy Association: "HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is often called the pregnancy hormone... confirm a pregnancy." https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/hcg-levels/
