For the most reliable results, take a pregnancy test after a missed period. This is the point at which your body is most likely to have started producing a measurable amount of hCG, the hormone that pregnancy tests detect. (HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone produced in the early stages of pregnancy.)
Taking a test before missing a period may lead to a false negative: The test says you’re not pregnant, but you really are.
Here are some facts to know as you consider taking a pregnancy test.
The sensitivity of pregnancy tests at Choices Pregnancy Center is better than typical home tests.
Our pregnancy tests will detect hCG levels as low as 20 mlU/mL. Over-the-counter test kits usually require hCG levels over 25 mlU to signal a positive result. This means that Choices’ tests are more sensitive and will be more likely to accurately detect a pregnancy earlier than a home pregnancy test.
The medical-grade tests used at Choices Pregnancy Center are 98-99% accurate within 7-10 days after conception.
Learn more about what to expect from a pregnancy test appointment on our Pregnancy Testing page.
Besides a missed period, watch for other pregnancy symptoms.
Some pregnancy symptoms can begin even before you miss your period. Other common symptoms of early pregnancy include:
- tender breasts
- extra tiredness
- nausea
- frequent urination.
Symptoms can vary from woman to woman, and from pregnancy to pregnancy in the same woman.
Also know that these symptoms can also be signs of stress. That’s why it’s important to check for pregnancy with a high-quality pregnancy test like the medical-grade tests used at Choices Pregnancy Center to get clear answers.
A positive pregnancy test is not the whole story.
A positive pregnancy test indicates the presence of the hCG hormone, which confirms a pregnancy has begun. However, it does not tell you where the pregnancy is located, how far along it is, or whether it’s viable (likely to continue rather than miscarry).
For this reason, Choices Pregnancy Center offers free, limited obstetrical ultrasound scans to clients with positive pregnancy tests. Along with providing that essential medical information, our nurses will take time to listen to your concerns and talk through options with you.
It is our goal to provide both the caring support and complete medical information you need to take your next steps with confidence.
Schedule a free pregnancy testing appointment at Choices Pregnancy Center to get your questions answered.
Contact us as soon as you know you have missed a period. We understand how important it is for you to get answers quickly, so we will find the earliest appointment that works for you.
Both our Redwood Falls, MN, and Marshall, MN, centers have trained nurses on staff to serve you.
On some days, our nurses may have openings for walk-in pregnancy testing appointments. This can’t be guaranteed, however, so scheduling an appointment is recommended.
Call or text either of our locations to schedule your appointment. For office hours, check our Contact Us page.
We can also address pregnancy questions after hours.
Even after hours, you can talk with a real, live person right from this website through our online chat. The professionals on the other end partner with us to make sure you’re never without answers even when we’re away from the office.
If you have pressing concerns about being pregnant, you can call or text our friends at Option Line at 800-712-4357 for immediate help and support.