Both blood and urine pregnancy tests are designed to detect hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, in your body. This hormone begins to be released by the body during pregnancy after a fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining.
The amount of hCG will increase as the pregnancy develops, but the levels may not be high enough to be detected by some pregnancy tests until after your first missed period.
While both blood and urine pregnancy tests are highly accurate, the uses and applications of the two types of tests can vary.
Wellspring Pregnancy and Health Center is here to help. Schedule a free appointment today to take a free, lab-quality pregnancy test and get your questions answered.
Blood Versus Urine Tests
Urine Pregnancy Test
This is the most common pregnancy test, as it can be purchased over the counter, taken at home, and provides results within minutes.
While at-home pregnancy tests are very accurate, it is possible to get a false positive. A urine test is also not able to detect a potential pregnancy as early as a blood test, so it is recommended that you do not test until after your first missed period for best results.
Blood Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test using blood can be more sensitive, detecting a pregnancy earlier than a missed period. However, because the test involves a blood draw, it can only be done at a medical facility.
A blood pregnancy test is not as standard as a urine test. Still, it can help detect a pregnancy earlier, or if a doctor wants more details about a pregnancy, such as determining if there are potential complications or a possibility of twins.
Best Practices for At-Home Pregnancy Testing
If you’ve already missed your period and are considering using an at-home pregnancy test, here are some simple tips for getting the most accurate results.
- Test your first-morning urine if possible (it’s most concentrated then)
- Avoid drinking excess fluids before testing (chugging water may dilute hCG)
- Read the directions carefully, as not every test works the same way
- Testing too early may lead to a false negative
- For the most accurate results, wait until the first day of your missed period to test
If your at-home test is positive, the next best step is to confirm the pregnancy using a lab-quality test to ensure accurate results.
Wellspring Pregnancy and Health Clinic offers pregnancy testing for your convenience and a free follow-up ultrasound scan to help you learn more about your pregnancy.
Schedule your free and confidential appointment today at Wellspring Pregnancy and Health Clinic, and start getting the answers you need to make the best decision for your health and future.
