Pregnancy tests are relatively easy to take and, for the most part, even the over-the-counter ones, are reliable. The key is knowing when to take one.
When a woman becomes pregnant, her body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) found in her blood and urine.
No-Cost Pregnancy Testing
At AscentCare, we offer you lab-quality urine pregnancy testing with a 99% accuracy rate at no cost. A positive result means the pregnancy test detected hCG in your urine.
What If You’ve Taken An At-Home Test?
While at-home pregnancy tests are reliable, they are only accurate if taken correctly and at the right time. Many women take them too early or don’t follow the directions carefully.
Here’s how the experts recommend taking a home pregnancy test:
- Check the expiration date on the test.
- Read the directions before you start and follow them closely.
- Take the test first thing in the morning when your urine is most concentrated.
- Time it right by taking it after the first day of your missed period.
- Wait for the correct amount of time for the result.
- Repeat the test in a few days to confirm.
Different at-home tests are more sensitive than others. As a result, some tests properly detect hCG earlier in the pregnancy. It’s essential to verify your pregnancy with a lab-quality test. Make an appointment at AscentCare for no-cost pregnancy testing.
When Should You Take A Pregnancy Test?
If your monthly period is like clockwork (coming every 28 to 32 days), you may get anxious and take a pregnancy test too early. If your period is usually regular, you can take a pregnancy test a couple of days after your missed period.
If your periods are irregular, wait at least a week after your missed period to test. Your body needs time to build up enough of the hCG hormone for it to be detected.
Can My Pregnancy Test Be Wrong?
Although rare, there is a possibility your home pregnancy test result is incorrect. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. That’s over one in four pregnancies! The majority of miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks.
Because it takes your body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test result days or even weeks after a miscarriage.
If you take a pregnancy test too early, before hCG rises to detectable levels in your urine, you might get a negative result. A false negative result means the test indicates you aren’t pregnant when you are.
What Should You Do If The Test Is Positive?
You would think a positive pregnancy test would have all the information you need to determine what to do about your pregnancy.
However, an ultrasound is the only way to tell if your pregnancy is viable (growing) or if you’ve had a miscarriage. Ultrasound will also tell you how long you’ve been pregnant and whether your pregnancy is in the correct place. If the pregnancy develops outside the uterus, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening.
No-Cost Ultrasound Exam
In addition to no-cost pregnancy testing, we offer ultrasounds at no cost, too. We never want financial concerns to prevent you from getting the necessary information.
A no-cost ultrasound is your next step after a verified positive pregnancy test from AscentCare. Now is the time to get answers you can trust. Contact us to make an appointment for no-cost pregnancy testing.
Get the confirmation you need. We’re here to help and support you in any way we can.