When you think you might be pregnant, taking a home pregnancy test can feel like a big step. A pregnancy test can be a helpful starting point, but understanding how the test works and what it can and cannot tell you is important.
First Choice Women’s Center is here to provide you with clear information as you take your next steps. We offer medical-grade pregnancy testing to help you feel more confident about your results.
Schedule a no-cost appointment with us today.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
When pregnancy begins, the body starts producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. Home pregnancy tests are designed to detect this hormone in your urine.
During the test, if enough hCG is present, an antibody detects it, and a second antibody generates a signal indicating a positive result. That signal is usually a second pink or blue line.
The first line is the control line, which confirms that the test itself is working properly.
Can a Pregnancy Test Be Wrong?
Home pregnancy tests are useful, but they are not perfect. Both false negatives and false positives can happen.
A false negative is more likely if you take the test too early.
In the first week or two after conception, hCG levels may still be too low for the test to detect. In some cases, tests can also become less accurate later when hormone levels are especially high.
A false positive is less common, but it can happen.
This may occur if you have recently taken fertility drugs containing hCG or if you were recently pregnant. After childbirth, miscarriage, or treatment for an ectopic pregnancy, hCG can remain in the body for several weeks and may cause a positive result.
The accuracy of a home pregnancy test also depends on how you use it. Reading the result too late, using the wrong amount of urine, or missing a part of the instructions can affect what the test shows.
If you are unsure about your result, a blood test ordered by your doctor or an ultrasound is the most accurate way to confirm pregnancy.
Why Do I Need an Ultrasound?
A positive pregnancy test is only the first step. Step two is an ultrasound.
An ultrasound gives you a clearer picture of what is happening in your body. An ultrasound can confirm the pregnancy, determine how far along you are, and verify that the pregnancy is located inside the uterus.
First Choice Women’s Center can help you take the next step with pregnancy testing, a limited ultrasound if you qualify, and more. Schedule a no-cost appointment today. We’re looking forward to meeting you.