Do you think you might be pregnant? Finding out starts with pregnancy testing.
Learn more about the test types and the best timing for receiving accurate results below.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
When you’re pregnant, your body begins producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
A pregnancy test detects the presence of the hCG hormone in your blood or urine. HCG levels start very low but rise quickly. By the time you’ve missed your monthly period, hCG levels are typically high enough for most at-home pregnancy tests to provide an accurate result.
How Are Blood and Urine Pregnancy Tests Different?
Both blood and urine pregnancy tests work by detecting hCG in your body. However, they are administered differently.
Urine Pregnancy Test
At-home pregnancy tests use urine samples to search for hCG. Urine tests are the most common type of pregnancy testing because they are widely available at most drug stores and are affordable.
Most at-home pregnancy tests can detect hCG levels in your body as early as ten days after conception (the moment you become pregnant). If you take a pregnancy test too soon, you run the risk of receiving a false negative, which is when you’re pregnant but your hCG levels are too low for the pregnancy test to detect.
Blood Pregnancy Test
A blood pregnancy test uses blood instead of urine to detect hCG levels. However, unlike urine pregnancy tests, these tests are more expensive and must be done at a physician’s office or lab.
Blood pregnancy tests can measure hCG levels, so these types of pregnancy tests are usually reserved for situations where your hCG levels need to be measured (like if you’re at risk for miscarriage).
What If I Receive a Positive Result?
If you’ve received a positive result on an at-home pregnancy test, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But it’s essential to take a deep breath and know that there’s a second step for confirming your pregnancy—this second step is ultrasound.
An ultrasound is a simple scan that will confirm you’re actually pregnant (it’s possible to miscarry but still receive a positive pregnancy test result).
Visit The Legacy Center
At The Legacy Center, we understand what you’re going through. And we’re here to help give you the answers you need.
We offer free, lab-quality pregnancy testing with accurate results. If your result is positive, we will also offer you a limited ultrasound referral to confirm your pregnancy. But our support doesn’t end there. We also provide confidential Options Consultation appointments to help you understand your options.
Contact us today to get started.
