Uncertainties about one’s pregnancy status can make it difficult to think about anything else. Pregnancy testing can give one confidence and peace of mind about what to expect and how to proceed. Whether you plan to keep the child or not, it is crucial to know if the pregnancy exists so that you can consider your options. This article will discuss how soon you can take a pregnancy test and whether to rely on at-home tests or those at an urgent care or primary care clinic.
Most people want to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible after their missed period. However, taking the test too soon or too late (especially if opting for urine pregnancy testing at home) could give an inaccurate result. Pregnancy testing works by measuring the levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) — a hormone the body develops once a fertilized egg has attached to the uterine lining — in the urine or blood. Early in pregnancy, hCG levels may be too low in the urine for detection.
The right time to take a pregnancy test depends on several factors, mainly which type of test the patient takes. Most home pregnancy tests will have instructions on how soon they could give accurate results. Some highly sensitive tests may show results as soon as 10 days before a missed period. However, waiting until one has missed their period is best to ensure hCG levels are high enough to be detected. Another major consideration is whether the patient’s cycle is irregular. If the patient has unpredictable periods, they should wait at least three weeks after the date of unprotected sex to test for pregnancy.
Besides a missed period, other symptoms could indicate pregnancy. If the patient misses their period and experiences these symptoms, consider taking a pregnancy test. (Keep in mind that many of these are also premenstrual symptoms.) Signs of early pregnancy are:
In theory, home pregnancy tests should be as accurate as clinic pregnancy tests — and they often claim to be. Unfortunately, many of these tests are inconsistent in detecting hCG levels. There is also room for human error with home tests, such as testing too early or too late. If the urine is too diluted, it could also yield inaccurate results.
There is less room for error with clinic pregnancy testing. Healthcare providers complete the proper training in how to conduct pregnancy testing accurately. Many urgent care and primary care doctors can administer urine or blood tests. The latter tends to cost more, but they detect both the presence and level of hCG. (Urine pregnancy testing only detects the presence of hCG.) Further, blood testing can detect a pregnancy in as few as seven days after conception.
No medical test can deliver 100% accurate results. There is always the chance for a false-negative or false-positive result. This margin for error is larger with home pregnancy tests. Take a closer look at the difference between false negatives and false positives below.
A negative pregnancy test means the patient is not pregnant. Therefore, a false negative means the test came back negative despite the fact that the patient is pregnant. This can happen if the patient tests too early or too late when the hCG levels are lower or if the patient has an ectopic pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterus (typically in the fallopian tubes).
A positive result indicates that the patient is pregnant. However, a false-positive result is when the patient is not truly pregnant. Human error and medications may cause false positives. They are also sometimes rooted in ectopic pregnancies and chemical pregnancies, two types of nonviable pregnancies.
A chemical pregnancy is when the fertilized egg does not implant or develop early on in pregnancy, leading to a chemical miscarriage. Most healthcare providers recommend waiting until after a missed period to test because chemical pregnancies are common and can lead to a false positive.
Trying to figure out whether you are pregnant can be stressful, no matter which outcome you are hoping for. If you are looking for reliable and accurate pregnancy testing, call our office. We will help you find certainty and discuss your options.
Request an appointment here: https://tx-urgentcare.com or call Texas Urgent Care & Imaging Center at (832) 941-1894 for an appointment in our New Caney office.
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