Your positive pregnancy test result may be confusing to you right now. Are you really pregnant? Keep reading to learn how pregnancy tests work, how to calculate the best time to take a pregnancy test, and what other health screenings we recommend after a pregnancy test.
If you are sexually active or recently became sexually active, there is always a chance for pregnancy, even with the best contraceptives. While a missed period can be an indicator of pregnancy, there can be other symptoms, too. They can include nausea, cramping and spotting, breast sensitivity, loss of appetite, mood swings, and overall fatigue.
You may have lots of questions as you face a possible unintended pregnancy. We know it’s not easy but we’re here to walk alongside you.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
The pregnancy tests you purchase at a pharmacy are designed to test your urine. If you want to do a blood test, you must visit a clinic.
The most common type, at-home pregnancy tests, are designed with a reactive strip that will detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced exclusively in your urine. If this is detectable, then the pregnancy test will read as positive. However, sometimes, you might receive a false negative result, which is when you’re pregnant but your hCG levels are still too low to be detected.
Even in the event of a positive pregnancy test, 26% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage. This statistic means that even if the test accurately confirms the presence of the hCG hormone, you could have miscarried, but the levels have not yet decreased due to the miscarriage. We can follow up a positive in-clinic pregnancy test with a limited ultrasound so you can learn more about your unique pregnancy details.
When Should I Take a Test?
According to the Mayo Clinic, taking it a day after your first missed period is best. If you wait or test again after a few more days, it will have even greater accuracy because the hCG levels double every 2-3 days and are more detectable.
Free Pregnancy Tests
We provide free and confidential in-clinic pregnancy tests, and our staff is here to walk with you. We can talk through the “what ifs” and help you understand your options and next steps.
Even if you’ve used a home pregnancy test, it’s important to have an in-clinic test and ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and figure out the date of conception. Once you get your pregnancy test and ultrasound results, we can talk with you about the details of your pregnancy and what options are available to you.
Because we don’t charge for our services, we don’t receive any financial benefit from your choice. Schedule a free and confidential in-clinic pregnancy test today to get the answers you need to make a confident decision for your future.
Non-Judgemental Care
Life Services is here to serve you as you navigate this unexpected time. We’re not here to judge or tell you what to do. We're here to listen to your needs and offer education. All of our services and support are confidential and at no cost to you.