When you become pregnant, the placenta produces the hormone called hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). At-home pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of hCG in your urine to determine whether or not you’re pregnant.
In early pregnancy, hCG levels rise quickly. However, most at-home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate if used after the first day of a missed menstrual period. This is why it’s a good idea to wait until that time before taking a pregnancy test (otherwise, you might end up with a false negative result).
While waiting until you’ve missed a menstrual period before taking a test is best, sometimes it’s hard to know when you should have been expecting a period. This can be especially true if you have irregular menstrual cycles. If this is the case, try taking a pregnancy test at least two weeks after unprotected sex or after noticing pregnancy symptoms.
However, if you receive a negative result, it’s best to retake the test a week later (since taking a test too early can give you a false negative result).
For the most accurate result, Mayo Clinic recommends taking a pregnancy test first thing in the morning, when your urine is most concentrated.
If you’ve taken a test at home and received a positive result, following up with an ultrasound is important. This harmless scan will confirm that you’re pregnant and reveal essential information that will help keep you safe.
Getting a pregnancy test and an ultrasound are two critical parts of confirming your pregnancy. We are here to help you access both for free. Contact us today to schedule a confidential appointment.