This time can be full of anticipation and nervousness. When you suspect you’re pregnant and want answers as soon as possible, determining when to take a test can seem unclear.
Life Center will answer your questions and help ensure you receive an accurate result. We know what you need at this moment is clarity.
Schedule a free pregnancy testing appointment today. You are not alone.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
All pregnancy tests (whether blood or urine-based) detect hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). The placenta produces this hormone shortly after implantation. This hormone’s levels rise quickly during early pregnancy—doubling every 2 to 3 days.
If you test for pregnancy too early, your body may not have detectable hCG levels yet. This means that you could be pregnant but receive a false negative.
Know When to Test
Women often test for pregnancy when they start experiencing symptoms like a missed period, nausea, or fatigue. While these can be good indicators of pregnancy, they can also occur due to health conditions like hormonal imbalances or weight changes.
Timing is crucial. If you have regular menstrual cycles, it’s best to wait until after a missed period to test—you can wait a week for more accurate results.
If you have an irregular cycle and can’t predict when you’ll have a period, you should test at least 21 days after unprotected sexual intercourse.
Taking the test first thing in the morning (when you wake up) is best because your urine is at its most concentrated.
Remember, you can’t determine you’re pregnant based on symptoms alone. Taking a pregnancy test is your best first step.
I Think I’m Pregnant. What’s Next?
Whether you’ve just received a positive result from an at-home test or haven’t tested yet, we can help.
Life Center provides self-administered pregnancy tests so you can receive accurate results.
If your test is positive, we’ll offer an ultrasound referral. Some pregnancy tests display a false positive when you’ve had an early pregnancy loss, but hCG is still present in your body. This scan will confirm your pregnancy is progressing and help identify your next steps.
We’re here to answer your questions and help you move forward. Make a free appointment today.