Both blood and urine pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone a woman’s body creates during pregnancy. While blood and urine tests have about the same accuracy, blood tests can usually detect hCG sooner.
At-Home Testing
If you think you are pregnant, you might want to test as soon as possible. However, testing too early can result in a false negative. For the best accuracy, test the day after you expect your period to start or at least 28 days after your last bleed.
Urine-based pregnancy tests can be bought at any local pharmacy or grocery store.
Urine is most concentrated in the morning, which makes hCG more detectable. If possible, test first thing in the morning when you wake up.
Read all the instructions provided with the pregnancy test before performing the test, as failure to do so might lead to an inaccurate result.
Lab-Quality Pregnancy Testing
Whether or not you’ve done a pregnancy test at home, the next best step is to obtain verification of your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test at a clinic.
In most cases, an hCG test in a medical office will also be a urine test. Urine tests have the following benefits:
- Urine tests are just as accurate as blood tests when administered correctly.
- Urine tests offer immediate results, while a blood test could take days.
- Urine tests are less expensive than blood tests.
- Urine tests are painless and non-invasive.
Confirm With An Ultrasound
In order to get the information you need to plan your next steps, you will need an ultrasound if you receive a positive pregnancy test result. Ultrasounds provide vital information about the pregnancy, including:
- Viability- is the pregnancy progressing?
- Date- how far along is the pregnancy?
- Location- is the pregnancy within the uterus?
With this information, you can narrow down your options as you prepare to make decisions about your pregnancy.
Alpha Center Is Here To Help
If you think you might be pregnant and don’t know where to start, we are here for you. Don’t wait and wonder; give yourself peace of mind. At Alpha Center, we offer free, lab-quality pregnancy testing and consultations. During the consultation, our trained staff will review results and answer any questions you might have. We can also discuss your eligibility for our free, limited obstetrical ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy. Contact us at any time or go ahead and schedule an appointment with Alpha Center today.