Do you think you might be pregnant? The first step is to take a pregnancy test. Choosing the right type and knowing when to take it is crucial for accurate results.
Keep reading to discover the different pregnancy testing options and what to do if your test comes back positive.
Need free, lab-quality pregnancy testing? Reach out to Hope of the Delta to book a confidential appointment.
What To Know About Pregnancy Testing
A pregnancy test works by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which your body starts producing when you become pregnant. As the pregnancy progresses daily, the levels of hCG in a woman’s body steadily increase.
Urine Testing
An at-home pregnancy test, which uses urine, can be purchased over the counter and is widely available. This test involves urinating on the test stick. If you’re pregnant and your hCG levels are detectable, the test will show a positive result.
Many at-home tests can detect hCG levels even before a missed period. However, waiting until the first day of your missed period before taking the test can reduce the chances of a false negative, which occurs when the test fails to detect hCG levels despite being pregnant.
Blood Testing
Another type of pregnancy test is a blood test. Blood tests are less commonly done because they are more expensive and generally yield similar results to urine tests. This test requires a small blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm. Unlike urine tests, blood tests can determine the exact amount of the pregnancy hormone hCG present in your body, which can be helpful for your provider.
Blood tests are slightly more sensitive than urine tests and can detect very small levels of hCG. This means they can provide a more accurate result very early in pregnancy, within seven to 10 days after conception. Your blood sample is taken at your provider’s office or a hospital and sent to a lab for analysis. Results can take anywhere from a few hours to two days.
Get Free Lab-Quality Pregnancy Testing
If you think you may be pregnant, don’t fret. You don’t have to rely on ambiguous signs and symptoms or even buy a test to find out. You can get accurate, free, and lab-quality pregnancy testing at Hope of the Delta.
If you receive a positive result, you may qualify for a free ultrasound. This can provide key details about your pregnancy and unlock your options moving forward.
Contact us today for a free and confidential appointment.