If you’re wondering if you’re pregnant, you want trustworthy answers. Pregnancy can be a challenging time, so understanding your next steps is vital.
There’s a lot of information out there about pregnancy testing, and you likely have questions about how to move forward. Ava Health helps you verify a potential pregnancy with medical-grade urine pregnancy testing.
All services are offered in a confidential environment and at no cost to you. Continue reading to learn more about pregnancy testing.
Does It Matter Which Type of Test I Use?
You’ve likely heard of at-home pregnancy testing before. Those test kits use a urine sample.
Blood-based testing is typically performed at a doctor’s office or hospital. It requires a small blood sample from a vein in your arm.
Both urine and blood-based pregnancy testing detect hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin. This pregnancy hormone rises rapidly during those initial weeks.
Many women test for pregnancy at home; it’s a convenient way to get an initial result. However, healthcare providers may want to verify a pregnancy with blood-based testing if hCG levels need to be monitored or if you have other health conditions.
Both types are accurate, but blood-based testing is more sensitive because it can detect smaller levels of hCG.
Urine pregnancy testing can provide a result in minutes. A blood sample, however, must be sent to a lab for analysis, and you’ll need to wait for your provider to contact you with the result.
If you take a urine pregnancy test, it’s crucial to wait a few days after a missed period or several weeks after sexual intercourse. By waiting, any hCG in your body increases to detectable levels. You’ll also want to follow the instructions carefully to lessen your chances of receiving a false result.
How We Can Help You
Ava Health’s licensed medical team knows this can be a stressful time. That’s why we’ll help you confirm a potential pregnancy with urine pregnancy testing.
If you receive a positive result, you may be eligible for a limited ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy’s viability (whether it has a detectable heartbeat), gestational age (how far along you are), and location. You need this information to weigh your options and protect your health.
We care about our patients and want you to get the answers you need. Request a no-cost, confidential pregnancy testing appointment today.