Have you ever asked yourself this question? If you recently received a positive pregnancy test and blinked in disbelief, you probably considered taking another test to confirm the result.
So, let’s discuss how home pregnancy tests work and if you need to take more than one to be confident in the results.
How Does A Pregnancy Test Work?
A home pregnancy test uses specially formulated paper strips to detect levels of hCG present in urine. When hCG levels are high, this indicates a pregnancy. So, what is hCG? It’s a hormone created by the placenta and is only present in the body during pregnancy.
The levels of hCG continue to rise as the pregnancy grows. This is why women are encouraged to wait until they have missed their menstrual cycle to take a test.
Reasons You Might Need Another Test
If a home pregnancy test is taken after a missed period, the results are very accurate. However, certain situations may call for taking additional tests to confirm the results. These situations include:
- Your test has expired.
- You drank a lot of fluid before testing.
- You think you may have used the test incorrectly or you got a test error.
- You’re not sure if you calculated your menstrual cycle correctly.
If you experienced any of the above scenarios, you may want to take an additional pregnancy test. If you do not have access to another test or cannot afford to buy another one, we can help.
Finding Help
Fayette PRC is here to serve you. We offer no-cost pregnancy testing and education in a friendly and private environment.
When you visit our office for the first time, a nurse will provide you with free pregnancy testing and then discuss the results and your medical history. Women will also have the option to meet with a peer counselor, discuss their questions, and explore pregnancy options.
You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to your pregnancy. Our desire is simply to support your journey along the way.
Call us at 770-719-2288 to schedule an appointment.