When they suspect they might be pregnant, many women begin by taking a home pregnancy test and later have a clinic test to confirm their pregnancy.
Continue reading to learn more about how home and clinic pregnancy tests differ and the next steps if you decide to test.
Home Versus Clinic Pregnancy Tests
At-home or over-the-counter pregnancy tests use your urine, while clinic tests may use your urine or blood to detect pregnancy.
Pregnancy tests work by examining your urine or blood for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone released by the placenta after implantation.
While a urine pregnancy test done at home is usually very accurate, it is possible to get a false-negative result due to errors you may make during the test. Pregnancy tests done at a clinic can be more accurate due to trained medical staff providing guidance.
Additionally, many medical clinics use lab-quality pregnancy tests, which can ensure that the quality of the test meets industry standards.
Sometimes, a medical clinic recommends confirming a pregnancy using a blood test.
In-clinic blood tests are more sensitive to hCG than urine tests and may be able to detect a potential pregnancy before a urine test.
While blood tests are less common, they can help the healthcare provider determine the exact amount of hCG in your body. Blood tests are often used if your pregnancy is being monitored more closely due to fertility treatments or possible complications.
When Should I Test?
Whether you’re having symptoms that make you think you could be pregnant or your method of birth control failed, taking a pregnancy test can provide more insight into what’s going on with your body.
Symptoms of early pregnancy include but are not limited to:
- Missed period
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
- Moodiness
- Bloating
- Increased urination
- Constipation
- Nasal congestion
- Food aversions
Tips for At-Home Testing
If you decide to test at home, it’s important to do so correctly to get the most accurate results.
While a pregnancy may be detected by an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception, it’s best to wait until you miss your period to test.
Additionally, it’s advised to test first thing in the morning and avoid chugging water before testing, as this could dilute hCG.
Get Help Today
New Beginnings Pregnancy Center is here to help if you think you could be pregnant.
We offer free lab-quality pregnancy tests and follow-up limited ultrasounds. Our staff can answer your questions, discuss your options, and provide you with support resources.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.