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Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

If you’re concerned may be unexpectedly pregnant, then you may be feeling a bit nervous. It’s normal to worry about what you should do when your body gives you hints about a possible pregnancy. Knowing what steps to take next and what information you may need to gather can seem difficult. But you are not without support. How do you know when it’s the right time to take a pregnancy test? And what do you do next after receiving the results?

Are you uncertain about when you should take a pregnancy test? Avenue Women’s Center is here to provide you with everything you need, all at no cost. Schedule an appointment for a free, medical-grade pregnancy test, accurate just ten days after possible conception. Our expert staff will discuss your results with you afterward. We can also provide accurate information about abortion, adoption, and parenting, assisting you in a pregnancy decision.

Contact us today to receive answers to your questions about your choices and available resources!

What Are Some Unexpected Pregnancy Signs?

One of the most common symptoms associated with pregnancy is a missed period. If your menstrual cycles are usually regular, this may have caused you a bit of concern. But skipping a period does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. Some women’s menstrual cycles may be impacted by illness or other factors, such as stress. You may want to pay attention to what your body is telling you to see if it’s possible that you’re at the beginning stages of pregnancy.

Along with a missed period may be signs such as nausea, breast tenderness, cramping, or increased urination. If you’ve begun to notice a combination of these things is occurring, then you may want to think about taking a pregnancy test.

How Do I Know When It’s Time to Take a Pregnancy Test?

The accuracy of a pregnancy test may vary. For some tests, it’s recommended to wait until the first day of your missed period to achieve accurate results. This timeframe is typically two weeks after possible conception. The test is designed to detect the presence of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in your blood or urine, which is produced in the placenta after an embryo attaches to your uterine lining.

This hormone usually needs time to build up rapidly in your body within the first few days of your pregnancy. So, you may need to wait before you attempt to take a test. Test sensitivity varies by brand and product. And performing an at-home test before you’ve noticed that your period is late could lead to inaccurate results. It’s understandable that you may be eager to know if your suspicions are correct or not. But to ensure you do not get a false negative, it’s recommended you hold off on confirming before your pregnancy can even be detected.

Of course, there is always the option of seeking help from a doctor, a health clinic, or a pregnancy center to determine for sure if you’re pregnant. Not only is this likely to be more accurate than an at-home test, but you can have an expert with you to guide you through the process and help address your results.

In addition, having someone who can sit down with you and talk you through your different choices of abortion, adoption, and parenting can be of great benefit. Discussing your potential decisions with a trained resource lifts the burden of researching information from your shoulders. It can also give you the opportunity to hear your thought processes out loud and figure out the best plan for yourself.

Is There a Way to Assess My Pregnancy’s Health?

Some pregnancies end naturally and by no fault of your own. This can happen because of a miscarriage, or if a pregnancy has implanted outside of your uterus, commonly referred to as an ectopic pregnancy. These sorts of complications can happen early on and require medical intervention. That’s why when you find out that you are pregnant, you may want to seek early medical attention.

You can do this by scheduling an ultrasound exam to rule out any of these early pregnancy risks. An ultrasound can also help inform your decision by letting you know if you will need to seek alternative medical care, and provide you with an accurate assessment of your gestational age.

How far along you are can play a part in your eligibility for abortion based on state laws, what type of procedure you may have to undergo, and how much the abortion will cost.

Once you’ve taken a pregnancy test, you will have already set your next few steps in motion. When it comes to screening your health and contemplating your options, try to remember that you’re not alone.

Schedule an Appointment

If you think you might be pregnant, know that there is no shortage of resources available to help guide you through your next steps. Schedule a free pregnancy test at Avenue Women’s Center and find out your results today. Our expert pregnancy consultants will walk you through your test and any pregnancy options you’d like to discuss. Within a nonjudgmental and safe environment, our caring staff will invest themselves in your personal story and listen to any of your concerns.

Reach out today!

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References:

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.