The wait for your period can feel endless when you suspect you might be pregnant. Maybe you’re especially aware of any small changes in your body or any potential symptoms, and you just want an answer.
Get an Answer with Pregnancy Testing
After you miss your period, most pregnancy tests will return an accurate result by detecting the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Life Choices offers medical-grade pregnancy testing with 99% accurate results. If you’ve missed your period or would like to confirm your at-home result, schedule your free and confidential appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome during our regular business hours.
We can also answer your most pressing questions, including the best timing and whether you can rely on your recent at-home result.
Where does hCG come from?
When a fertilized egg implants, the placenta begins to form and releases hCG. It takes time for hCG to rise to detectable levels in the urine, which is why waiting until a day or two after a missed period is recommended.
Can you trust a negative test before your period arrives?
Every woman’s pregnancy is different. Sometimes conception or implantation occurs later than a textbook might describe. This can delay hCG from rising to detectable levels and lead to negative pregnancy test results when you may be pregnant.
If you receive a negative pregnancy test result, we recommend taking another pregnancy test in a few days to a week. Try to relax, as stress can delay your period and lead to more confusion.
False Results: What to Know About Them
A pregnancy test gives a snapshot of a point in time. It tells you if hCG is detected at the time of the test. However, user error, faulty tests, and expired tests can also contribute to false results.
A false-negative result can occur if you take the test too early or if hCG hasn’t risen enough yet.
False-positive tests are less likely. These can happen due to certain health conditions or fertility medications that include hCG.
If you have had an early miscarriage or a chemical pregnancy, you can sometimes receive a positive test (accurate at the time of testing), followed by negative tests due to falling hCG.
Pregnancy Testing Only Tells You So Much
Pregnancy tests will tell you whether your body is producing hCG, but no other details. If you receive a positive pregnancy test result at Life Choices, we’ll offer you a limited OB ultrasound, which will tell you how far along you are, whether your pregnancy is progressing with a heartbeat, and if your pregnancy is located inside your uterus. All of these details play a role in the next steps and protecting your health and safety,