If you are unexpectedly pregnant, you may be wondering how pregnancy tests work and when to take one. First, know that you are not alone. 

Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone, normally through your urine, to determine if you are pregnant. With pregnancy tests, timing is key. In this blog, we share more about how pregnancy tests work and what’s next if you took an at-home pregnancy test already. 

What is a Pregnancy Test?

Maybe you’re experiencing nausea, a missed period, tender breasts, or moodiness. These are all common symptoms that could point to pregnancy.

A pregnancy test is a way to determine if you’re pregnant by measuring how much HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin is in your body. HCG is also known as the pregnancy hormone. This hormone starts to build about ten days after conception. 

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

There are multiple types of pregnancy tests, including a urine pregnancy test and a blood pregnancy test. Urine pregnancy tests are more common and easier to take.

A urine test can first be taken at home, and again with lab-quality pregnancy testing at a medical center like ours at BsideU For Life. 

At-Home Pregnancy Tests

You may have already taken an at-home pregnancy test. If not, it’s important to take the test at the right time—about one week after your missed period, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate if done correctly, but we recommend confirming the results with lab-quality pregnancy testing and an ultrasound to be sure.

Free Pregnancy Confirmation

Get pregnancy confirmation at BsideU For Life today to know what’s next in your journey. 

Schedule a free and confidential appointment to get started. Our caring staff is here to answer any of your pregnancy questions along the way, and help you learn your options if you’re pregnant.