If you think you might be pregnant, you probably have lots of questions. Top of mind may be how you can know for sure if you’re pregnant.
Pregnancy tests work by testing the amount of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) – the pregnancy hormone – in a woman’s body. This hormone is present after implantation, when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus and begins growing. Normally hCG is produced about 6 days following fertilization and doubles every couple of days afterwards.
Blood Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing through blood testing is less common and occurs at in a clinic doctor’s office. This type of testing can be slightly more sensitive, detecting hCG as early as six to eight days after ovulation, before a missed period. This type of testing is sometimes typically used by a doctor to alert them to other complications such as ectopic pregnancy, when a pregnancy is growing outside the uterus.
Urine Pregnancy Testing
In most cases of pregnancy, urine pregnancy tests are more than sufficient to accurately predict pregnancy. These tests can be 97 – 99% accurate when used correctly, and are easier to access than blood pregnancy testing.
Urine pregnancy tests can detect hCG in urine, typically about a week after a missed period depending on the type of test. Many women start with an at-home urine pregnancy test purchased from a drugstore, though it is important to have your pregnancy confirmed by a medical professional.
Confirming Your Pregnancy
While an at-home test is a great start, you’ll want to confirm with a medical-grade pregnancy test, confirmed by a medical professional. Although rare, it is possible to get a false negative result from a home pregnancy test. Your results can also vary depending on when you’re testing, and if your memory of the date of your last period is correct.
Our professional nursing staff at First Care Clinic can provide medically accurate pregnancy testing at no cost to you. Additionally, we’re happy to provide proof-of-pregnancy documentation for future medical care. If needed, we can also enroll you into BadgerCare at your appointment.
An ultrasound following medical-grade pregnancy testing can also answer lots of questions, including how far along you are in your pregnancy and what your next medical steps might be.
We’re here to help – schedule your no-cost appointment today.