Pregnancy Test

Pregnancy Test Q & A

What are the different types of pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests can be performed by analyzing your blood or your urine for the hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Your body produces this hormone after the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. As your pregnancy progresses in the first few days, hCG builds up in your body and starts to cause pregnancy symptoms such as sore breasts and morning sickness.

How does a urine pregnancy test work?

At home pregnancy tests evaluate your urine for hCG. You may place urine in a cup and dip in a special stick or place the stick in your urine stream. When performed at home, urine tests are extremely accurate, give fast results, and are easy to use. But, if they’re performed incorrectly or taken too early, the results can be inaccurate. If your test reads “negative” (meaning you're not pregnant) but your symptoms suggest otherwise, wait a few days and test again or schedule an appointment at Dr. Carlos Hernandez Obstetrics and Gynecology for a blood test.

What are blood tests for pregnancy?

At Dr. Carlos Hernandez Obstetrics and Gynecology, you may undergo a quantitative blood test, which measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood, or a qualitative hCG blood test, which merely tells you whether you’re pregnant or not.

A blood test can detect pregnancy earlier than a urine test. The quantitative blood test also tracks the concentration of hCG in your blood and may help evaluate certain problems in pregnancy.

When should I take a home pregnancy test?

For the greatest accuracy, wait until you have missed a period to take a home test. If you can’t wait that long, don’t take one earlier than 14 days from possible conception.

A blood test may be able to tell you if you’re pregnant sooner — you may be able to get confirmation of pregnancy within 7-10 days of conception.

What if I get mixed results from an at-home pregnancy test?

If you take a few home pregnancy tests and get different results — meaning some say you are pregnant, others don’t — you should get a blood test for a more accurate confirmation.

Call the office of Dr. Carlos Hernandez Obstetrics and Gynecology for confirmation of pregnancy; alternatively, schedule an appointment using the online tool.