When there is a chance that you might be pregnant, waiting to find out can feel like an eternity. You might also worry that you will somehow misuse the test or get a false response. We offer free pregnancy testing to help you alleviate some of your anxiety.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Other than in very rare cases, this hormone will only be detectable in a woman’s body during pregnancy.
For a urine pregnancy test, urine is applied to a test strip, and results will appear in the test window within a few minutes.
To avoid a false response, follow the directions included in the test.
Evaporation lines can appear, causing a false positive if too much urine is used or the pregnancy test is read after the indicated time.
When Should I Test?
When a fertilized embryo implants on the wall of the uterus, it develops a placenta that releases hCG. The hCG levels grow daily for the first part of pregnancy, but it can be difficult to detect in the early days. It is best to wait until after you have missed your period to take a pregnancy test. This gives the hCG time to build to a detectable level in your urine.
Are Pregnancy Tests Accurate?
Our pregnancy tests are up to 99% accurate when used correctly after a missed period.
A confirmation ultrasound should always follow pregnancy tests. This noninvasive test provides information about the pregnancy necessary to protect your health. It also is the only way to confirm a pregnancy reliably. Around 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and it is possible to test positive for pregnancy while miscarrying. An ultrasound confirms that a pregnancy is growing by detecting a fetal heartbeat.
After you test positive for pregnancy, we can provide you with a free referral for an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy and discuss your options with you.