How do I know if I’m pregnant? Should I take a pregnancy test?

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Pregnancy Test

If you believe you’re pregnant, you should take an at-home pregnancy test or see a medical provider. Understanding if you are pregnant will help you decide what action to take.

How do pregnancy tests work?

Pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone hCG in your urine. hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is the pregnancy hormone produced by the cells that form the placenta and nourish the growing embryo.

It is released when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. HCG can be present in the blood and urine around 10 to 14 days after conception. It peaks between 8 and 11 weeks of gestation.

Are at-home pregnancy tests accurate? 

Getting a false-negative or false-positive result from an at-home pregnancy test is possible.

False Negative: There may be cases when you might be pregnant, but the test is negative.

False positive: If you take the test wrong, read it after the suggested 3 to 5-minute reaction time, use test kits past their expiration date, or have been given an hCG injection during infertility treatment.

The Mayo Clinic suggests waiting seven days after your missed period before doing a pregnancy test. Taking the test after you miss your period reduces the chance of getting a false-negative result.

A home test’s accuracy depends on the following:

  • How closely do you follow the instructions
  • When you ovulate and how soon the egg implants
  • How soon after pregnancy you take the test
  • The sensitivity of the pregnancy test

 Is a medical pregnancy test different from an at-home test?

While both tests detect hCG in a woman’s system, tests done by a medical professional tend to be more accurate. In addition, most medical professionals will confirm a positive test result with an ultrasound, which can detect an ectopic pregnancy.

What type of pregnancy test confirms pregnancy first?

A blood test confirms pregnancy first. It can detect a smaller amount of HCG than a test that uses your urine.

Contact Us:

If you need help finding where to take a pregnancy test, call or text The Adoption Law Offices of Madonna Finney at (850)308-1836. We can help you locate a provider in your area. If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy in Florida, we can also provide confidential, no-cost options counseling.