How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
If your period is late and you’ve recently had unprotected (or maybe even protected) sex, you could be pregnant. A late period is usually the first sign of pregnancy. However, other health issues can cause a change in your menstrual cycle.
Your first step is to take a pregnancy test. Elevate Women’s Center offers no-cost, confidential pregnancy tests. Our tests are 99% accurate and can detect pregnancy as early as the first day of your missed menstrual period. You can be sure of the results.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
When a woman becomes pregnant, she produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone builds rapidly and eventually enters her bloodstream and urine.
A pregnancy test uses your urine to determine if you’re pregnant. If the test detects hCG, you will get a positive result on the test.
Can I Use a Home Pregnancy Test?
At-home pregnancy tests are reliable, but carefully following the instructions is vital. Here’s what the Cleveland Clinic recommends to avoid getting a false test:
- Check the expiration date.
- Read the instructions thoroughly before taking the test.
- Wait until the first day of your missed period before taking the test.
- Take the test in the morning when your urine is the most concentrated.
- Check the test in the recommended amount of time.
- Test again in 3 to 5 days to verify the results.
What If the Test Is Positive?
A pregnancy test is an indication of a possible pregnancy. Your next step should be to get a limited OB ultrasound to confirm the test results. Why an ultrasound?
An ultrasound answers three critical questions:
- Is my pregnancy progressing or have I gotten a false-positive result on my pregnancy test? Experts estimate as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. That’s over one in four pregnancies! Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, it’s possible to get a positive pregnancy test result and no longer be pregnant. Ultrasound detects if you have miscarried.
- How far along is my pregnancy? The number of weeks you have been pregnant will determine your options.
- What is the location of my pregnancy? It may seem strange, but some pregnancies implant and grow outside of the uterus. These pregnancies are known as ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy can be extremely dangerous, even life-threatening.
Get No-Cost, Confidential Pregnancy Testing
Conveniently book an appointment online at one of our locations or call to get the location of our mobile unit. We provide no-cost, confidential pregnancy tests at both.
Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, confirm your results with one of our no-cost tests. If it’s positive, we’ll schedule you for a no-cost ultrasound to get more information about your pregnancy.
We’re here for you.
Pre-Abortion Screening
After finding out that you are pregnant, you may be considering an abortion. Regardless of whether you are wanting a medical or surgical abortion
Pregnancy Testing
Wondering if you might be pregnant? The first step to understanding your pregnancy options is by confirming your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test.
Ultrasounds
Ultrasound scans identify critical health details about your pregnancy so you can protect your health and know your options.
Pre-Abortion Screening
After finding out that you are pregnant, you may be considering an abortion. Regardless of whether you are wanting a medical or surgical abortion
Pregnancy Testing
Wondering if you might be pregnant? The first step to understanding your pregnancy options is by confirming your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test.
Ultrasounds
Ultrasound scans identify critical health details about your pregnancy so you can protect your health and know your options.
