Pregnancy Test Near Me

A pregnancy test can be used to confirm whether or not you are pregnant so you can get the prenatal care and support you need right away. Knowing more about available pregnancy testing methods can help you choose the type of test you feel most comfortable with.

What is a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test is used to determine whether or not you are pregnant. It can be performed as either a urine or blood test that checks for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your body. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), HCG is a hormone made only during pregnancy after an egg has been fertilized and implants in a woman’s uterus.

What types of pregnancy tests are there?

There are two types of pregnancy tests: a urine test and a blood test. Urine tests can reveal whether you are pregnant within just a few minutes, while results from blood tests usually come back within a few hours or days, reports the NLM. The urine test can be performed conveniently at home or a clinic, but the blood test can only be performed by a medical provider, reports the NLM

At-home test

An at-home pregnancy test can be performed one day after you have missed a menstrual period, notes the NLM. These tests usually come in small kits that require you to urinate on a stick or into a cup. According to the NLM, at-home pregnancy tests are between 97% and 99% accurate when used correctly.

Clinical urine test

A clinical urine test works much the same as an at-home pregnancy test, reports the NLM. Your medical provider will usually have you urinate into a cup. Then, your provider will dip a stick into your urine sample or transfer your urine into a special container that checks for the presence of HCG. notes the NLM.

Blood test

A pregnancy blood test requires your medical provider to draw a sample of your blood from a vein in your arm using a syringe. Then, your blood sample is sent to a lab where it is checked for the presence of HCG, states the NLM.

According to the NLM, there are two types of blood tests: a qualitative test and a quantitative test. The qualitative test measures whether HCG is present, and the quantitative test measures the amount of HCG present and can guide in the determination of how far along the pregnancy is

What happens during a pregnancy test?

At-home pregnancy tests usually come in kits with detailed instructions that tell you exactly how to perform the test, and how long it takes to get results. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and NLM, these kits require you to either place a stick directly in the stream of your urine for five to 10 seconds or urinate into a cup. Pregnancy test results usually appear within two minutes of taking the test according to the NLM.

During a pregnancy blood test, your medical provider will use a small needle to extract a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. Your blood will be collected into a small vial or test tube. The blood test usually takes no more than five minutes, reports the NLM. Any discomfort you may feel during this test usually occurs when the needle goes in or comes out, notes the NLM.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

The NLM says that you do not need to do anything to prepare for a urine or blood pregnancy test. However, it does recommend performing a urine test first thing in the morning because morning urine usually contains higher amounts of HCG.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is no known risk to doing a pregnancy urine test, reports the NLM. It adds that the main risk associated with a blood test is experiencing slight pain or bruising at the needle insertion site.

What do the results mean?

The results of your pregnancy test will show whether or not you are pregnant. If you are pregnant, the NLM recommends seeing your healthcare provider right away to receive prenatal care or discuss other treatment options.

If you had a quantitative blood test, your results can reveal whether your HCG levels are abnormal and indicate a possible miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, reports the NLM. It adds that an extremely high level of HCG may indicate multiples (such as twins or triplets) or a molar pregnancy. Your provider will talk to you in greater detail about the meaning of your HCG level if you had a quantitative blood test as it relates to how long you have been pregnant, notes the NLM.

Is there anything else I need to know about a pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests are relatively straightforward and done to determine whether or not you are pregnant. According to the NLM, a quantitative blood test can also help you determine whether you have an abnormal health condition that could raise your HCG level. Consult with your healthcare provider if you learn that you are pregnant, or if you want to talk more about the results of your pregnancy test.

What’s next if the results are positive?

If your pregnancy test results are positive, the DHHS recommends contacting your doctor to schedule an appointment. Your doctor can perform a blood test to confirm your pregnancy and discuss prenatal care treatment options.

False positives

According to the NLM, pregnancy tests come back positive only if the pregnancy hormone HCG is detected in your body. Therefore, according to the University of California, a false positive is highly unlikely. If you doubt that you could be pregnant, the University of California recommends taking another test to confirm the original results.

What’s next if the results are negative?

If your results are negative but you think you are pregnant anyway, the DHHS recommends taking another pregnancy test in a few days. It adds that during early pregnancy, your HCG levels should double every 48 hours. In some instances, you may be pregnant, but your HCG levels are not quite high enough to show up on a pregnancy test notes DHHS..

False negatives

You may have a false-negative result if your urine isn’t concentrated enough, or you do the pregnancy test too early, reports the University of California. See your doctor for additional testing and treatment if you think your result is a false negative.