about me

no spring chicken, 34, diagnosed with lupus and trying to conceive (ttc) come walk with me through my ttc journey!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

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! :)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

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.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

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.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

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!!


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Review :- Disclosure Pregnancy Test - Malaysia

Brand : Disclosure Pregnancy Test Cassette
(so-called "Product of USA")
(Comes in a 'single' pack)

Known Sensitivity :- Not Known
Format : Cassette
Cost : RM 6.00 per pc !!!
Total Spent :- RM 12 for 2 tests


Review :- 
This pregnancy test SUCKS!
I bought this at Watson. I hated it so much that I even scanned it!
(So that I can warn others)
I complained to WATSON via email but never received any reply.

My UPT at the doctor was clearly positive.
YET, THIS test gave me negative's' - twice.

Pros :  None - IT SUX

Cons : 100% CONS

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Review :- Clearblue Digital Mid-Stream (With Conception Indicator) - Malaysia

Brand : Clearblue Digital with Conception Indicator
(Comes in a 'single' pack)

Known Sensitivity :- 25miu/ml
Format : Mid-Stream
Cost : RM 29.90 per pc !!!
Total Spent :- RM 59++ for 2 tests


Review :- 
This test is pretty cool but expensive.
Good for confirmation.
No lines. Just words and numbers!
It has an internal battery that will run out after a day or so,quick must take photo!

I remember getting "Pregnant 1-2" back in Jun-11
Then, another "Pregnant 1-2" in Jul-11
Unfortunately one was chemical and the other ended in a miscarriage.



Pros : These digital tests are so cool! Good for confirmation. Not confusing!

Cons : $$$$

Review :- Guardian Pharmacy Pregnancy Test - Malaysia

Brand : Guardian Pharmacy Pregnancy Test Strips (similar to mid-stream BUT NOT!)
(Comes in a 'single' and 'twin' pack)

Known Sensitivity :- 25miu/ml
Cost : On average RM 6.50 per pc
Total Spent :- RM 65.00 for 10 tests or so.

Review :- 
Now that I've tried several pregnancy tests. This to me is a big width test strip, held together by a plastic holder so that we can pee directly on it! 
I bought this "Guardian Pharmacy Test Strip" as it was the most affordable on the shelf! 
Rests were (and still are) pretty expensive!

Tried in Jun-2011, when I first suspected pregnancy.
6 days before my expected period - Faint lines appeared near to the 10 minutes mark.
The lines were so faint that they were questionable if it was an evaporation or 'real'.






Finally confirmed 'both times' on a Clearblue Digital (with conception indicator).

Pros : These test strips are easily available at Guardian Pharmacy. Good to test if you are already 'late' for your period but not before. Definitely not an Early Pregnancy Test!

Cons : It says its sensitivity level is 25miu/ml but I doubt so, especially with the faint confusing lines.