If you’ve recently had sex and your period is late, you may be pregnant. Healthcare experts recommend waiting a day or two after your missed period before testing.
However, a pregnancy test is not enough to determine whether you’re truly pregnant. You need an ultrasound, too.
Contact Ramona Women’s Clinic to schedule free and confidential pregnancy testing. We’ll ensure you get accurate results.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
When you become pregnant, the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus and develops. If you aren’t pregnant, that lining sheds off and becomes your monthly period.
When the fertilized egg attaches, your body begins producing a hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG builds rapidly in your body, eventually entering your bloodstream and urine.
You will get a positive result if the test detects hCG in your urine. If the test doesn’t detect hCG, it’s either too soon to test, or you aren’t pregnant.
Why Would I Need an Ultrasound?
Many pregnancies end early in miscarriage. Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Even after a miscarriage, it’s possible to get a positive pregnancy test result because it can take days or weeks to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels.
The best way to determine if your pregnancy is developing or if you have miscarried is through an ultrasound. An ultrasound also protects your health and safety.
Although rare, some pregnancies implant and grow outside the uterus. These pregnancies are known as ectopic. Only the uterus can safely hold a growing pregnancy. If it develops elsewhere, it could pose a life-threatening risk.
Can I Take a Home Pregnancy Test?
Over-the-counter tests are reliable, but you need to follow the directions carefully. Here’s how to improve accuracy:
- Check the expiration date.
- Read the directions thoroughly before testing and follow them.
- Make sure the control line appears if your test includes one.
- Wait until at least the day after your missed period to test.
- It’s best to test in the morning when your urine is most concentrated.
- Check the test results after waiting the recommended amount of time.
- Retest in 3 to 5 days to confirm the results.
Get Free and Confidential Pregnancy Services
Whether you need to take your first pregnancy test or retest, come to Ramona Women’s Clinic. If your test is positive, we’ll provide a free and confidential ultrasound.
To make an appointment, schedule online. We want to provide the help you need because you matter to us!
