The fears surrounding the possibility of an unexpected pregnancy can feel all-consuming. While it can be easy to worry, the only way to be sure if you’re pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test.
Read on to learn more about at-home pregnancy tests and practical next steps after finding out you’re pregnant.
How Do At-Home Pregnancy Tests Work?
After an egg is fertilized, the pregnancy implants in the lining of the uterus, and once implanted, the placenta begins to form, and your body starts to produce hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). At-home pregnancy tests look for the presence of hCG in your urine.
While hCG levels may be detectable as early as 10 days after conception, they may not be at adequate levels to produce a positive result until after you miss your period, meaning testing too early can result in a false negative.
Tips for Testing At-Home
At-home pregnancy tests are relatively simple, but the following tips can help ensure you receive the most accurate results:
- Test after you miss your period
- Avoid chugging water before testing, which can dilute hCG levels
- Use your first pee in the morning
- Read the instructions prior to testing
Next Steps
If you receive a positive at-home test, confirming your pregnancy with a lab-quality test is important.
After confirming your pregnancy, a follow-up ultrasound can help you learn more about the pregnancy’s growth and development and provide more insight into your options.
Some women may be unsure of why they would benefit from an ultrasound if they plan to terminate their pregnancy. However, even for women planning to abort, ultrasounds provide essential information for the woman’s health and safety, including the viability, age, and location of the pregnancy.
A first-trimester ultrasound looks at:
- Viability: A pregnancy is viable if the ultrasound shows a detectable heartbeat. If no heartbeat is detected, then you have miscarried, and you may need additional medical advice/intervention to help the pregnancy pass.
- Age: Ultrasounds use measurements to determine the age of the pregnancy. To qualify for the abortion pill, the FDA states a pregnancy should not be beyond 10 weeks gestation.
- Location: A pregnancy should implant within the uterine lining; however, some pregnancies implant outside the uterus. When this occurs, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy and cannot be treated with an abortion but requires immediate medical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications.
Get Help Today
Lilli Women’s Center is here to help if you think you could be pregnant. We can help provide the information you need to make an informed pregnancy decision.
We offer no-cost, pregnancy tests and ultrasound scans. After learning more about your pregnancy, our team can answer your questions and discuss your options.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
