What to Know About Pregnancy Testing
If you think you may be pregnant, you have options for testing to help you move forward with the best medical care.
A medical professional can perform a urine or blood test to check for pregnancy. This can be done as a stand-alone test or to verify the results of a home pregnancy test. The skillful WellNow Urgent Care team will ensure you are comfortable and fully taken care of. We offer reliable pregnancy testing, health exams and pregnancy consultations. Here’s what you should know about pregnancy testing.
When should I get a pregnancy test?
There are a few early signs that can point to a potential pregnancy. Fatigue, breast tenderness, and headaches can occur early in the pregnancy. Missing your period is also a sign that you may be pregnant.
While you may be tempted to get a pregnancy test at the first sign of pregnancy, the results are most accurate after your first missed period. Pregnancy tests check for the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone produced during pregnancy. After conception, it can take up to two weeks for the hCG hormone to rise to levels detectable by pregnancy tests.
Taking a pregnancy test first thing in the morning, at least a week after your first missed menstrual cycle is best.
What kinds of pregnancy tests are available?
Urine tests and blood tests can both check for pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests are available over the counter and are the first test many people take. Because results of home pregnancy tests can vary due to human error, it’s best to get a urine or blood test done by a health professional. Urine tests and qualitative blood tests are accurate methods of testing for pregnancy. In some cases, quantitative blood analysis may be performed to provide additional information about the pregnancy.
Urine Pregnancy Tests
Urine pregnancy tests work by detecting hCG in the urine. At WellNow, urine pregnancy tests are carefully performed by our highly trained medical professionals. After you provide your urine sample, your health provider will perform the test using a dipstick. When hCG is present, antibodies on the dipstick react and show a positive result.
The in-clinic urine test can detect hCG levels as low as 25mlU/ml, and results are available in just a few minutes.
Where can I get a urine pregnancy test?
At-home pregnancy tests are available over the counter at pharmacies. To have a professional urine pregnancy test done in the clinic, contact your doctor or visit an urgent care provider like WellNow Urgent Care.
Blood Pregnancy Tests
Blood pregnancy tests are often chosen for their high accuracy and sensitivity. Two types of tests are available depending on your needs:
A qualitative pregnancy test is the most common type of blood pregnancy test used. This type of test checks for the presence of hCG in the blood. Because hCG levels are higher in the blood than in the urine, this test can provide results earlier in your pregnancy. Blood tests are a very accurate way to find out if you are pregnant or not.
A quantitative blood pregnancy test (or beta-hCG test) is a more detailed test that provides additional information about your pregnancy. Rather than simply checking whether hCG is present or not, this blood test measures the amount of beta hCG in your blood.
Levels of hCG generally increase daily throughout your first trimester of pregnancy. By measuring the amount of hCG in your blood once or over a period of time, quantitative blood tests can provide specific insights into your pregnancy. This may include whether you are carrying multiple fetuses or if the embryo has been lost. The quantitative blood test is usually recommended only when such information is needed.
Where can I get a blood pregnancy test?
Blood and urine pregnancy tests are available at all of our locations. Your health provider will draw your blood, label it and send it to our lab. The provider will discuss the results with you and provide consultation on your next steps.
WellNow Urgent Care is a series of urgent care clinics and virtual care serving the Midwest and Northeastern United States in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania.
Information contained in this blog is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to apply to any specific individual's medical condition. Always refer to the personalized information given to you by your doctor or contact us directly.