Are you feeling more tired than usual? Is menstruation a little late? Do you want to cry one minute and then sing with joy the next?
If your body is feeling any different than usual, you may be considering a pregnancy test. Here is everything you need to know:
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Pregnancy tests work by testing the pregnancy hormone hCG through urine or blood. Most women take at-home urine detection tests that you can purchase at any drug store. However, you can also get a blood test at a healthcare clinic.
Can A Pregnancy Test be Wrong?
If you take a pregnancy test too early, there may not be enough hCG in your system to be detected by a pregnancy test. This could result in a false negative.
The Cleveland Clinic recommends waiting until after you have missed your period before taking a test.
Generally, if your test is positive then you are pregnant. The only exception is when you get a positive pregnancy test because of an ectopic pregnancy, which happens when the egg attaches outside the uterus and is not a viable pregnancy.
According to pregnancy kit manufacturers, most at-home pregnancy tests are 98% to 99% accurate when you use them exactly as instructed.
What Should I Do If My Pregnancy Test is Positive?
If your pregnancy test is positive, you can rejoice to know there is a reason behind all of the unusual things your body has been doing lately.
Pregnancy is a normal experience for women, but when it is unexpected it might feel a little scary. The first thing you should do is confirm your results with our no-cost pregnancy testing and ultrasound.
An ultrasound is important so that you can discover how far along you are, and make sure it is not an ectopic pregnancy. Knowing more details will help you feel more confident about your situation.
After you confirm your pregnancy and get an ultrasound, we offer choices counseling that will help you learn about all the options available to you with your pregnancy. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation.