The main use of a pregnancy test is to evaluate if you are pregnant. Both urine and blood tests for hCG can be used for this purpose, and repeat testing may be done to confirm a pregnancy. Very early in a pregnancy, tests that measure the amount of hCG may also help assess the age of a fetus.
Less often, hcG tests can be used to:
A pregnancy test measures a hormone in the body called hCG, which is created at higher levels during pregnancy. There are two different ways hCG results are reported:
A pregnancy test is most commonly done when you believe you may be pregnant. Testing may detect a pregnancy as soon as 10 days after conception. The accuracy of pregnancy tests usually increases if taken at least one to two weeks after a missed menstrual period.
It may also be done when there are signs and symptoms that suggest an ectopic pregnancy or a pregnancy that is failing.
Signs of an ectopic pregnancy may include:
Additional and more severe symptoms may develop if an ectopic pregnancy is not identified and treated, so it is important if you’re of childbearing age to talk with a doctor if you notice these symptoms.
Pregnancy testing may also be done as a routine test prior to some medical treatments, such as surgeries or chemotherapy, that could potentially harm a fetus.
A doctor can best determine if a pregnancy test is appropriate.
Get TestedLaboratory tests such as blood draws and urine samples generally need to be ordered by a health care professional. Either of these tests can take place in a doctor’s office, hospital, or laboratory. Urine pregnancy tests can ordered or be taken at home. If you suspect you are pregnant, talk with your health care professional about how to get a blood pregnancy test.
At-home pregnancy tests are a fast and convenient way to take a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy testing is very similar to qualitative urine hCG testing performed in the laboratory, but there are some important differences to be aware of:
When used correctly, most at-home pregnancy tests produce the same result as the qualitative urine hCG test done by a medical provider.
If your test is positive, it is important to reach out to your health care provider to learn more about the next steps in your care, including if other tests are needed to confirm that you are pregnant.
The cost of testing, whether it’s a blood pregnancy test or a urine pregnancy test, depends on several factors, including your insurance coverage, the type of pregnancy test, and where the test is performed.
If the pregnancy test is ordered by a doctor, insurance normally covers most of the cost, except for copays and deductibles. It’s important to check with your health insurance and health care provider for more information about specific costs.
Get TestedA pregnancy test is done using blood or urine samples.
You usually do not need to fast or do any special preparations before a urine or blood pregnancy test. However, you should always ask your doctor to clarify or confirm any pretest instructions.
When a pregnancy test is conducted in a medical facility or lab, a health care professional will instruct you on whether a blood or urine sample will be needed.
If a blood sample is needed, it will be taken with a needle inserted into a vein in your arm. Before drawing the blood, an elastic band is tied around your upper arm to increase blood in the veins. The puncture location is then wiped clean and disinfected. A needle blood draw may cause a brief sting but normally lasts less than a minute.
To collect a urine sample, you urinate into a sterile cup provided by your health care provider. In most cases, a urine sample taken the first time you urinate in the morning is best. Collecting a urine sample normally takes only a few minutes.
When the blood draw is completed, a bandage or cotton swab will be used to prevent bleeding. You will likely be advised to keep the bandage on for an hour or more.
Providing a urine sample does not require any post-test instructions or restrictions.
Get TestedThe time it takes to get the results of a pregnancy test depends on the type of test that is ordered. It may take anywhere from a few hours to more than a day to get the results of a blood test. Results from urine tests are generally available in one to two minutes.
Because both of these tests are generally done in a clinic setting, you will likely receive the results from a health care professional.
How pregnancy tests are reported depends on whether the test was qualitative or quantitative.
Qualitative test results are reported as positive or negative:
Quantitative test results are reported in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL). hCG should not be detectable if you are not pregnant. If you are pregnant, hCG doubles approximately every two to three days during the first one to two months of the pregnancy. The level of hCG keeps rising throughout the first trimester and declines slowly during the second and third trimesters.
The results of quantitative test results may also be considered if hCG testing is being done related to an abnormal pregnancy or other health conditions.
Talking with a health care professional is the best way to learn more about your test results and the next steps in your care. Here are some questions you can ask your doctor after taking a pregnancy test:
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