Pregnancy Testing

Administering a pregnancy test is an objective way to determine whether the symptoms being experienced are caused by pregnancy.  Women who call or visit the center thinking they may be pregnant are candidates for a free pregnancy test to verify whether they may be pregnant.

Two types of pregnancy tests are available.  The first is a blood test, usually performed in a doctor’s office or medical facility.  The second type-a urine test-is used at the Pregnancy Resource Center.  It requires a woman to provide a sample of fresh urine.

In order to obtain an accurate result, tests must not be administered too soon after intercourse has occurred.  Pregnancy Resource Center offers urine tests that work as early as fourteen days after sexual intercourse.  You will be told how to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Both the blood (used in the doctor’s office) and Pregnancy Resource Center’s urine tests determine pregnancy by detecting the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).  This hormone tells the uterus to continue nourishing the developing child.  It is secreted into the mother’s bloodstream by the embryo after implantation.  Detection of significant levels of hCG indicates a high probability that pregnancy has occurred.  Although a blood test is able to pick up the presence of this hormone earlier and with greater reliability, it can also be detected in urine.

The specific urine test that your center uses comes with instructions.  Most tests take only four to five minutes to complete with one of three results:

• Negative-no sign or insufficient level of hormone present
• Positive-the hormone is present in sufficient quantity
• Inconclusive (illegible result)-When a test cannot be read conclusively, the test will be repeated in a few weeks, following Pregnancy Resource Center guidelines.

Because pregnancy verification is considered to be a medical diagnosis, you will be told whether your test is positive or negative.