How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?

Are you anxiously waiting for your period to start and thinking about taking a pregnancy test? If you’ve recently had sex, whether protected or unprotected, a late period could mean you are pregnant.

Your next step is to take a pregnancy test. Liberty Women’s Clinic offers free and confidential pregnancy testing.

Two Types of Pregnancy Tests

There are two different tests to determine if you are pregnant: blood and urine. Both detect a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Your body only produces hCG during pregnancy.

HCG begins to build up once a fertilized egg implants in your uterus, which is about six to 10 days after conception.

Doctors perform blood tests in their offices or clinics. Blood pregnancy tests can detect hCG earlier, but the results take longer to obtain.

You can purchase urine pregnancy tests at pharmacies or other stores. Still, many do not detect hCG until after your missed period because most over-the-counter pregnancy tests vary in sensitivity levels.

When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

If you are taking a home urine pregnancy test, you should wait until after your missed period. The longer you wait, the more accurate the results. If you take a urine test too soon, the results will be a false-negative.

When taking a home pregnancy test, it’s vital to take it correctly.

• Check the expiration date.
• Read the directions thoroughly before taking the test.
• Test in the morning when your urine is most concentrated. Don’t drink a lot of fluids beforehand.
• Wait the recommended amount of time before checking the results.
• Retest in 3 to 5 days to confirm the results.

What Are Other Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

Your menstrual cycle could change for reasons other than pregnancy. Stress, a hormonal imbalance, increased exercise, or rapid weight gain or loss can all contribute to a late period.

Other pregnancy symptoms to look for include:

• Tender or swollen breasts
• The need to frequently urinate
• Feeling nauseous with or without vomiting (morning sickness)
• Mood swings
• Food aversions

Get Free and Confidential Pregnancy Testing

Whether you need to take your first pregnancy test or you want to retest to confirm your results, come to Liberty Women’s Clinic. In addition to free and confidential pregnancy testing, we offer free and confidential limited ultrasounds.

An ultrasound is vital to get as much information about your pregnancy as possible. Once you’ve received a positive pregnancy test result and confirmed your pregnancy with an ultrasound, it’s time to consider your options.

You have three choices: have an abortion, make an adoption plan, or consider parenting. We can review your situation and discuss all three. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we will give you factual, medically based information on procedures, side effects, and potential risks.

Contact us today if you would like free and confidential pregnancy testing. Schedule an appointment for a free nurse consultation. We are here for you.

This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional counseling and/or medical advice. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional counseling and/or medical advice.