If you think you might be pregnant, you might be wondering whether you need a blood or urine pregnancy test and what the difference between the two is.
At-home pregnancy tests are typically urine tests, because they are easy to use and widely available. Blood pregnancy tests are mostly used by healthcare providers when needed.
At Lilli Women’s Center we provide free, confidential medical-grade pregnancy testing and free ultrasounds for women who are facing unexpected pregnancies and want clarity around their pregnancy.
We are here to support you and provide the information you need about your options in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Schedule your free confidential appointment today.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
Both blood and urine pregnancy tests have the same goal: to detect the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your body, which is also known as the pregnancy hormone.
Your body begins producing hCG as soon as a fertilized egg implants into the uterus, around six to ten days after conception¹. As the pregnancy develops, hCG levels continue to rise.
The difference between urine pregnancy tests and blood pregnancy tests is how they are performed and how early they can detect pregnancy.
Urine Pregnancy Tests Explained
These are the most common standards for at-home pregnancy tests. They work by detecting hCG levels in your urine and provide results within a few minutes. It is recommended to use hCG urine pregnancy tests first thing in the morning, as this is when your urine is more concentrated.
For the most accurate result, it is recommended to take a urine pregnancy test one to two days² after your missed period. However, there is a small chance of getting a false negative result if your hCG levels are not high enough.
Avoid testing too early, and if your period still hasn’t arrived a week after, you can take another pregnancy test to confirm if you are pregnant.
Other factors that can lead to false negatives are using the test incorrectly, expired tests, or checking the results outside the recommended time frame.
Blood Pregnancy Tests Explained
Blood pregnancy tests are not performed at home and are instead typically used by your healthcare provider to check if you are pregnant. Blood tests can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests, typically within seven to ten days of conception³ as they can measure smaller amounts of hCG in the body.
There are two types of blood pregnancy tests: qualitative and quantitative tests. Qualitative pregnancy tests confirm whether hCG is present, while quantitative tests measure the exact amount in the bloodstream.
Blood tests are not typically used for every pregnancy unless your healthcare provider needs to monitor your hCG levels closely or in certain medical circumstances where you need to know if you are pregnant early on.
Results from your blood tests may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days after they are sent to the lab.
Why an Ultrasound Is the Next Step
An ultrasound is the next important step if you receive a positive pregnancy test result. This is because an ultrasound provides you with important medical details that a pregnancy test alone cannot.
An ultrasound will tell you how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and the viability (if there is a heartbeat). These details are important as they affect your pregnancy options.
For example, an ultrasound can identify if you are having an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus. This condition requires immediate medical attention⁴.
It also confirms that you have not already miscarried, as it is possible to receive a positive pregnancy test result even if you have miscarried, as hCG levels can take some time to fall back down.
Get The Answers You Need
If you’re unsure about taking a pregnancy test at home and want accuracy, then you can take a free, confidential medical-grade pregnancy test at our center. After a positive result, we will then perform a free ultrasound to give you the important medical details you need.
If you think you are unexpectedly pregnant, we know how overwhelmed you might be feeling. We also offer no-cost, confidential appointments where you can ask questions, talk about how you feel, and learn factual information about your options.
We are here for you.
Contact us to make your appointment and get the answers you need.
- Cleveland Clinic. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.
- Mayo Clinic. Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?
- Cleveland Clinic. Pregnancy tests.
- Cleveland Clinic. Ectopic Pregnancy.
