Pregnancy Test Specialist

When should I get a pregnancy test?

Anytime your period is late, you can take a pregnancy test. It’s important to take a test as soon as possible if you miss your period so you can learn whether or not you’re pregnant and take the appropriate steps to care for your body and the growing fetus. The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the sooner you can consider your options and what you need to stay healthy.

If you have irregular periods or often don’t get periods due to perimenopause or stress, take a pregnancy test about three weeks after unprotected sex.

Sometimes, a pregnancy test is recommended before you’re prescribed medications or undergo procedures that could adversely affect a pregnant woman. You might think you’re certain you’re not pregnant, but it’s medical protocol for your health provider to make sure.

What happens during a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test analyzes a sample of your urine for the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG. You urinate into a cup and the staff at PrimeCare evaluate it for hCG and give you the results. Your body makes hCG when the fertilized egg implants in your uterus, which happens about 10 days following conception. HCG levels in your blood build up quickly throughout your pregnancy.

What if I took a home pregnancy test?

If you believe you could be pregnant and took a home pregnancy test, you should still have a test at PrimeCare Medical Center to confirm the results. It’s possible to have false negatives and positives on home tests.

The accuracy of home tests vary due to a number of factors, including:

• Varying ovulation cycles in women
• When you took your test – taking it too early in the pregnancy can render a false negative
• Variations in when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus
• Different amounts of hCG in women’s urine

If you think you’re pregnant, call PrimeCare Medical Center to get a professional test for confirmation. Call the practice or book an appointment online today.