Happy New Year 2012!!!

May 2012 brings renewed energy, happiness, health, wealth to ALL!

Good luck!

Baby Dust to ALL!

Are All Pregnancy Test Kits / Strips The Same?

Unfortunately, No ...

There are good, so-so and 'questionable' pregnancy strips / test kits out there.

Above are pregnancy test strips / kits (HCG) taken when beta HCG level was at about 70 miu/ml.

(What is beta HCG? It is a 'quantitative' HCG level using blood serum)

The top one, claims to be 10 miu/ml ... - and only register a very, very faint line, visible only at certain angle with light.

Second one is Wondfo - 25 miu/ml, line is visibly there. (Yay! This, I am selling!!)

Third is also 25 miu/ml test strip. Also a very faint line. Need super eyes to spot.

Note to self :- POAS is not a cheap hobby! :)

Folic Acid - Take Now!!

Folic Acid, also known as Vitamin B9, folate.

To be taken once-a-day.

100 tablets for RM 6.00 - available from your nearest pharmacy!

(I am not selling!)

Why is Folic Acid important for us?

It is known that sufficient folate intake right before and just after a woman becomes pregnant can help to prevent neural birth defects. Neural tube defects produce malformations of the spine, skull, and brain including spina bifida and anencephaly. 

The risk of neural tube defects is significantly reduced when supplemental folic acid is consumed in addition to a healthy diet BEFORE and during the FIRST FEW WEEKS OF PREGNANCY, often before a women knows she is pregnant. 

Since some pregnancies may be unplanned, it's important that all women of childbearing age (even if not trying to get pregnant) get the recommended daily amount of folic acid. This can be achieve easily via your daily multi-vits, check the label to ensure it contains folic acid or folate.

Yay! A Positive Ovulation (LH) Test / OPK!

 :) :) :)

A positive OPK or Ovulation (LH) is when, the intensity (colour) of the test line, equals or darker/stronger than the control line.

Promotion! Free 2 Ovulation (LH) + 1 Pregnancy (HCG) Strips with Any Purchase

Promotion!
Promotion!
Promotion!

With any purchase, you will receive additional 2 Ovulation (LH) + 1 Pregnancy (HCG) test!
Limited to one set per household!
(While stock lasts!)

Eg.
Buy 20 pcs of either Ovulation (LH) or Pregnancy (HCG) tests @ RM 38.00 (including free handling & shipping), you will receive additional 2 Ovulation (LH) + 1 Pregnancy (HCG) test strips!!

Quick!

Positive @ Home but Negative @ Hospital / Clinic Urine Pregnancy Test?

Is it possible?
Yes, very!

Most of the UPT (Urine Pregnancy Test) in Government Hospital / Clinic can be less sensitive.
Not sure what's their sensitivity level is BUT, through personal experience, at a beta HCG (blood) of 70 miu/ml, the Government Hospital's UPT came back "negative", several times.

Even when my beta HCG was at 180+ miu/ml , UPT was first reported as negative, then 'faint positive'.

HCG in theory will double every two days, so, if you are getting a faint positive on your UPT at home, give it a couple of days and test again.

Also, sometimes "chemical pregnancy" happens.
Or in a simpler term, 'lil bean did not manage to stick on.

So, if you are planning to test early (days before your period is due), you must remember the possibility of  "chemical pregnancy". It can be emotionally devastating.

Review :- One Step HCG Urine Pregnancy Test (Made In USA)

Brand : ONE STEP HCG URINE PREGNANCY TEST

MADE IN USA (as stated on pack)

Known Sensitivity :- 10miu/ml (seller claims)

Format : 2.0 mm (width)

Cost : On average RM 1.20 per pc

Total Spent :- about RM 120.00 for 100 tests (UK Seller) 

Review :- 

These test strips occasionally gave me false faint positive when I am quite sure I'm NOT PREGNANT.

It could be evaporation line that forms within the test period (5 minutes).

Some argue that certain women may have little HCG in their system all the time,

I agree 

BUT,

In my case, same sample, two strips (from the same purchase), one negative, one a very faint positive.

That's why I like to use 25miu/ml strips. 

Common lab standard states 25 miu/ml and above as being "PREGNANT"! 

Pros :- 

Cheap in bulk. When you are indeed pregnant, and HCG is rising, results are quite consistent.

Cons :- 

Confusing false faint positives (probably evaporation) occurring within test time limit.

UPDATE : This UPT totally sucks ... try to avoid. Have heard of similar experience in a forum!!