Understanding Your Pregnancy Test

When you take a pregnancy test, it detects a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine.

Your body begins producing hCG after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. In early pregnancy, hCG levels rise quickly. Once they reach a high enough level, the test can detect the hormone and return a positive result.

If you test too early, your hCG levels may not be high enough yet. In early pregnancy, hCG levels rise quickly, often doubling every 48 to 72 hours. That means you could receive a false-negative result even if you are pregnant.

This is one reason many women choose to come in for medical-grade testing they can trust.

The Role hCG Plays in Early Pregnancy

hCG plays an important role in supporting early pregnancy. It signals your body to pause your menstrual cycle and helps maintain the uterine lining so the pregnancy can continue to develop.

Levels typically rise rapidly in the first several weeks, peak at about 10 weeks in the first trimester, and then gradually level off as the pregnancy progresses.

If you have questions about your results or what your levels may mean, our patient advocates are here to help you understand your next steps.

When Should I Get Tested?

For the most accurate result, it’s best to wait until after your first missed period. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Testing first thing in the morning is often most reliable, since hCG is more concentrated in your urine
• Testing too early can result in a false negative, even if you are pregnant
• False positives are rare but can occur in certain situations, such as after a recent pregnancy loss or with some medications containing hCG
• If your period still hasn’t started after a negative result, testing again a few days later is a reasonable next step

Irregular cycles or recent changes in birth control can make timing less predictable. If you’re unsure when to test, we can help you think through the best next step.

What Comes Next?

A positive pregnancy test is an important first step, but it doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.

If your result is positive, you may be eligible for a free limited ultrasound performed by a registered nurse. This type of ultrasound can provide key details about your pregnancy, including:

• Gestational age: How far along you are, and provide an estimated due date
• Location: Whether the pregnancy is developing inside the uterus
• Viability: Whether cardiac activity is present and how the pregnancy is developing

Having this information can help you make informed decisions about your next steps.

Connect with us through a no-cost, confidential appointment.