Today, there are a range of options when it comes to pregnancy testing. There was once a time when a pregnancy test was only available through a doctor. However, now you can buy at-home tests in grocery stores that are highly accurate if used correctly.
Still, the best way to know for sure and avoid errors is to seek the help of a medical professional. Wondering whether you are pregnant can be stressful, and the sooner you know, the better. If you need to know right away and cannot get to see your primary care doctor, urgent care can help.
The signs and symptoms of pregnancy are different for everyone. However, there are some common signs. The most well-known sign of pregnancy is a missed period, but other symptoms include the following:
People may not experience all of these symptoms, and some may start noticing changes early, while others will not notice changes until they are further along. In addition, these symptoms can be signs that one’s period is on the way or of other hormonal fluctuations. Therefore, people who have had any of these symptoms and a missed period should have a pregnancy test to know for sure.
In order to understand when to get a pregnancy test, it is important to understand a little about how they work. Pregnancy tests work by detecting an elevated amount of human chorionic gonadotropin, or “hCG.” This hormone only develops in the body during pregnancy. The hCG level starts to build up after a fertilized egg implants itself in the lining of the uterus.
Since the fertilized egg does not implant until about 10 days after conception, a certain amount of time must pass before pregnancy can be detected by a test. Some tests can detect pregnancy 10 days after conception. However, doctors recommend waiting until at least a week after a missed period for the most accurate results.
Urgent care practices may offer two types of pregnancy testing. The most common type is a urine test, where reactive paper detects the level of hCG. Though this type can be done at home, having this test performed at an urgent care clinic narrows the margin of error. The second type is a blood test, which is more sensitive than a urine test and can confirm a pregnancy sooner. However, this type is usually only used in special circumstances, such as if a patient's treatment may be affected by pregnancy or the practitioner thinks there may be a problem.
Urgent care clinics offer pregnancy testing by appointment or on a walk-in basis. The practitioner will start by asking relevant health questions, such as the first day of the last period and what symptoms the patient is experiencing. They will also want to know about any medications and conditions. Some medications can affect the results of the test.
The test results will be available during the appointment. Then the practitioner can advise the patient based on those results. If the test is positive, they will likely recommend making an appointment with one’s primary care doctor or OB-GYN to ensure they get the care they need.
Wondering whether you are pregnant can be stressful. Seek help from healthcare professionals who can get you the most reliable results. These practitioners can also advise you of your next steps. To learn more about pregnancy testing, call our team today.
Request an appointment here: https://hillendale.millenniummedicalcare.com or call Millennium Medical Care Woodbridge at (703) 945-1942 for an appointment in our Woodbridge office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Pregnancy Testing in Woodbridge, VA.
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