Think you might be pregnant? The first step toward finding clarity is to take a pregnancy test.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) becomes present in your body during pregnancy. A pregnancy test works by detecting hCG in your blood or urine.
Urine Pregnancy Test
The at-home pregnancy tests at most drug stores rely on a urine sample. These tests can only detect hCG, not measure your actual hCG levels, so it’s essential to take the pregnancy test at the right time to ensure accurate results.
Most at-home tests claim to be 99% accurate if taken on the first day of your missed period.
Blood Pregnancy Test
Blood pregnancy tests must be taken in a clinic and are more expensive than a urine test. However, they are more sensitive and can detect pregnancy earlier.
Most of the time, urine pregnancy tests are sufficient. But you might need a blood pregnancy test if you’re at risk for a miscarriage since a blood pregnancy test can measure hCG levels.
When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
While waiting until the first day of your missed menstrual period will give you the most accurate results, sometimes it can be hard to know when you should expect your period. If this is the case, it’s okay to take a pregnancy test around the time when you think you should have your period.
If the test is negative, but you still haven’t had your period a week later, you can take another pregnancy test. This will help ensure you don’t receive a false negative result (which is when you take a pregnancy test but your hCG levels are too low for the test to detect).
Where Can I Get No-Cost Pregnancy Testing?
At Reach Out Pregnancy Center, we offer no-cost urine pregnancy testing.
Preparing for your Pregnancy Test visit
Your Pregnancy Test appointment will typically last around one hour, and it’s important to be well-hydrated because you will need to leave a urine sample. If your pregnancy test is positive, we’ll discuss next steps, which may include scheduling an ultrasound and/or signing up for our Earn-While-You-Learn program.
What to expect:
- Remember to bring a valid photo ID. Our friendly staff will welcome you, offer you a snack and water, and make a copy of your ID for your records.
- A client advocate will escort you to a private room for paperwork and a private consultation.
Contact us today to schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment today.