Abstract

Capillary (finger-prick) blood collection, commonly used in diabetes care could also be used for monitoring pregnant women. Repeat blood tests for human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) levels are often needed for early pregnancy management, including molar pregnancy and requires multiple hospital visits for venous blood collection (phlebotomy). This study evaluated patient views and the clinical performance of capillary blood collection in the home, as an alternative to standard blood collection for hCG measurement. Seventy-one women attending an early pregnancy unit participated in the study and collected capillary samples using the Mini-Collect® device in clinic and provided a matched venous sample for hCG comparison. Participants also collected capillary blood samples at home, returning samples by post with a user-satisfaction survey. Statistical analysis demonstrated excellent agreement between venous and capillary hCG results across a wide range of values. Home capillary collection provided enough blood for testing in 39% of cases, with 77% of survey responders finding the device easy to use and 80% expressing willingness to use the service again. This study establishes capillary blood as a reliable alternative for hCG measurement, with a strong patient preference, and offers a convenient alternative to standard blood collection for pregnancy care.