How Does pregnancy Testing work?

You may be stressed after having unprotected sex and then missing your period. If you’re still wondering if you’re pregnant, we can help. Get the clarity and answers you need to move forward. We offer free pregnancy testing so you can be sure.

A pregnant woman’s body will produce HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone is called the “pregnancy hormone.” Production of this hormone happens after the embryo attaches to the uterine wall. It normally happens about six days after fertilization. The levels of hCG rise quickly, doubling every 2 to 3 days.

A pregnancy test works by detecting the levels of the HCG hormone in your urine. If present, your test will come back positive.

When Should I Take A Test?

It can be confusing to know when to take a pregnancy test. For the best results, take a pregnancy test at least one week after your missed period. This gives your body the accurate amount of time to produce a detectable amount of HCG (the pregnancy hormone) in your urine. By waiting longer, you will get more accurate results from your pregnancy test.

At-Home Pregnancy Tests

Even though at-home pregnancy tests are normally 99% accurate, it’s essential to get pregnancy testing done at a center like ours to be positive about your results. Some women get false positives because they take the test at the wrong time or the instructions weren’t followed properly.

At Next Step Pregnancy and Family Resources, our team of trained consultants can help you with any questions you have along the way. We are here to help and offer free pregnancy testing so you can take your next step with confidence.

What’s My Next Step if It’s Positive?

If your pregnancy test is positive, you will need to take one more step to confirm your pregnancy. The next step is either beginning prenatal care or obtaining an ultrasound.

An ultrasound will confirm how far along you are in pregnancy, the location, and if your pregnancy is viable (healthy and growing). It can alert you of any complications like miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy grows outside the uterus).

An ultrasound is necessary to determine what your pregnancy options are. Get a referral for prenatal care or a free ultrasound referral from our team today!

First schedule your free pregnancy testing appointment at our center to take your first step to pregnancy confirmation. Our safe and supportive team is here to help.