A home pregnancy test is convenient. You can pick one up at a store, take it in the comfort and privacy of your own home, and have a result within minutes.
Whether your home test was positive, negative, or difficult to interpret, following up can help you determine what the result means for you. Oasis Women’s Services provides no-cost, confidential pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds performed by medical staff.
Schedule an appointment today to get started.
Home Tests Aren’t Foolproof
Home pregnancy tests detect hCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy. They can be highly accurate when taken at the appropriate time and used according to the directions, but there is still room for error.
Timing is a common issue. If you test too early, there may not be enough hCG in your urine for the test to detect. In fact, Mayo Clinic notes that home tests are more likely to be accurate a day or two after a missed period.
Using an expired test or checking the result too soon can also interfere with getting a reliable answer.
A Negative Result May Need Another Look
You took a test, it was negative, but your period still hasn’t started. Now what?
If you tested early, repeating the test after several days may produce a different result because hCG rises quickly during early pregnancy. Ovulation can also occur later than expected, changing when a pregnancy becomes detectable via a test.
If you continue receiving negative results and your period still doesn’t arrive, contact your healthcare provider. There are other reasons for missed periods, including health conditions, stress, or hormonal changes.
A Positive Result Raises New Questions
Confirming a pregnancy isn’t only about repeating a test. Once you have a positive result, you need information that the test can’t provide.
An ultrasound can tell you how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is progressing, and where the pregnancy is located. Location is especially significant because an ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus and can become life-threatening if left untreated. Though this is a rare complication, it requires immediate medical attention.
At Oasis Women’s Services, limited obstetrical ultrasounds are performed by medical staff. We’re here to answer your questions and ensure you feel confident moving forward.
Know More About Your Result
If you’re holding a home test and wondering whether you can rely on what it says, you don’t have to leave the question there.
Contact Oasis Women’s Services for a no-cost, confidential appointment. Pregnancy testing can confirm your initial result, and if appropriate, a limited obstetrical ultrasound can provide further information about your pregnancy. We’re here to help you get the answers you deserve.