Your period is late. It could just be stress or fluctuations in your menstrual cycle. It could also mean you’re pregnant. You take a home pregnancy test, but the result isn’t quite clear. Maybe you don’t want anyone to find out just yet. Perhaps you don’t have medical insurance right now. What can you do if you want to know for sure if you’re pregnant? Where can you get affordable and confidential pregnancy test results?
If you think you might be pregnant and you want to know for sure, find out at an Avenue Women’s Center nearest you today! We offer free medical-grade pregnancy tests to women in the Chicagoland area, with accurate results just 10 days after possible conception. Our expert client advocates will walk you through each step of the test to ensure both accuracy and understanding of the results. You’ll receive confidential and nonjudgmental support as you take the first steps of learning about a possible pregnancy. Contact us today to set up an appointment!
The Uncertainty of Home Pregnancy Tests
You took a pregnancy test at home and think you did everything correctly, but the result is unclear or too faint to read with certainty. Though many home tests claim a 99 percent accuracy rate, it can still be difficult to detect a pregnancy. A lot of factors can affect a home pregnancy test’s accuracy:
Did you take it with the morning’s first urine sample to ensure the highest concentration of the pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)? Was the test exposed to urine for ample time according to the instructions? Was it laid out flat on a clean surface while waiting for results to appear? Did you wait long enough or too long to read the results? Did your results change hours or days after the test was taken? Did you take the pregnancy test too soon after a missed period?
Questions like these are just some of several things that can impact a home pregnancy test. Nerves and stress can also affect how you move through each step of the test’s directions. Even when you’re trying to be extremely cautious and careful, your mind is likely focused on a possible pregnancy and not entirely on the tasks at hand. Regardless if you’re hoping for or against a positive result, distractions can happen and influence a home pregnancy test. What are your next steps if you’re uncertain about the results of a home pregnancy step?
Knowing for Sure If You’re Pregnant
If you took a pregnancy test that was negative, but still think you could be pregnant, it might be time to take another one and find out for sure. If you aren’t certain about a possible positive result, you may want to take another test to confirm. Do you take another home pregnancy test or seek professional help this time? Costs can add up quickly and add to your concerns—especially if you aren’t insured or have limited health insurance. Or even if you’re on your parents’ health coverage and don’t want them to find out about the test. Where can you turn for a confidential, accurate, and free pregnancy test? How can you know for sure if you’re pregnant? Seek help at a pregnancy center nearest you with experts trained in walking you through each step of a pregnancy test, as well as offering important information about your options.
You don’t have to face a pregnancy test on your own. When you need confidential and caring support to confirm a pregnancy, Avenue Women’s Center is here for you! Our free medical-grade pregnancy tests offer accurate results you can trust. We help you understand each step of the test in a private, confidential, and nonjudgmental atmosphere. We also take the time to listen and address your unique concerns while you wait for the test results. Learn more about a possible pregnancy and your pregnancy options from our expert staff. Reach out to us today for a free appointment in Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago or Wood Dale, Illinois!
References:
- Modern Mom®. Barlowe, Barrett. (2019). Factors Affecting the Accuracy of At-Home Pregnancy Tests. Retrieved from: https://www.modernmom.com/b1799f7a-3b45-11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health. (2019, January). Pregnancy tests. Retrieved from: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/pregnancy-tests.
Reviewed by Patricia Kuenzi, APN-CNP, MSN, ANP, PNP.
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.