Everyone talks about pregnancy tests and how helpful they are in protecting a woman’s health, but how do they work? Pregnancy tests look for the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
Also known as “the pregnancy hormone,” hCG is a hormone unique to pregnancy. Once the embryo (or fertilized egg) attaches to the wall of your uterus, the placenta begins to form, producing tremendous amounts of the hCG hormone for up to the first ten weeks of pregnancy.
When Is the Best Time to Test?
Time of Cycle
Usually, hCG can be detected in a person’s blood 11 days after conception, but it takes a little longer to be detectable in urine. Hence, it is best to wait until the day of your next expected period to take a pregnancy test.
Waiting until the day of your expected period also helps ensure you don’t miss early pregnancy detection. If you test too early, the hCG levels may be too low to be picked up by the test.
Time of Day
It is best to take a pregnancy test in the morning, as urine is most concentrated in the morning. The higher concentration of hCG in your urine at this time increases the chances of an accurate result.
Types of Pregnancy Tests
There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine tests and blood tests.
Urine Tests
Urine tests can be performed at home or in a medical office. Home pregnancy tests are convenient and provide quick results. A common mistake is waiting too long to read the test, which may result in a false positive. For the most accurate results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Ivy Women’s Center provides free urine pregnancy testing as a next step after a positive home test.
Blood Tests
Blood tests may be offered at your healthcare provider’s office and can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests. There are two types of blood tests: qualitative hCG tests, which simply confirm the presence of hCG, and quantitative hCG tests, which measure the exact amount of hCG in the blood. Ivy Women’s Center does not conduct blood tests at our office. If you are in need of a blood test, it is best to contact your healthcare provider.
Protect Your Health
While pregnancy tests are helpful, it is essential to protect your health by confirming you are pregnant with an ultrasound as well. Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of the inside of your body. For early pregnancy, a transvaginal ultrasound is often used to get a clear view of the developing pregnancy. This procedure can provide vital information about the location and viability of the pregnancy.
Ensuring you’re pregnant with a pregnancy test and ultrasound helps determine the age of your pregnancy so that you can know all your options. Having an ultrasound with a pregnancy test also confirms that your pregnancy is not a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy (when the fetus is implanted outside of the uterus), which can pose a risk to your overall health and well-being.
Can I Get No-Cost Pregnancy Testing?
Yes! Our medical staff offers urine pregnancy testing and ultrasounds free of charge. Contact us today to be sure you get all the information you need to be confident in your decision. You’re not alone.
Visit Ivy Women’s Center
At Ivy Women’s Center, we are dedicated to providing compassionate care and accurate information to support your health and well-being. Reach out to us to schedule your no-cost pregnancy test and ultrasound, and take the first step in understanding your pregnancy with confidence.