Pregnancy Testing Clinic Q&A

Pregnancy symptoms can manifest differently from person to person and vary in timing. While some women may experience a multitude of early pregnancy symptoms like breast changes, and fatigue, others might encounter very few or even none of these signs until several weeks into their pregnancies.

It can be particularly challenging to distinguish these early signs of pregnancy from symptoms that typically precede menstruation.

If you’re of childbearing age and have gone a week or more past your expected menstrual cycle start date, pregnancy could be a possibility. However, irregular menstrual cycles and other factors can also contribute to such delays.

Early in pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can lead to breast tenderness and swelling. The heightened levels of the hormone progesterone can induce pronounced fatigue in many individuals. Morning sickness, characterized by nausea that can occur at any time of day or night, usually commences one to two months after conception, though some women may experience it earlier.

Another common sign, increased frequency of urination, becomes noticeable around two to three weeks following conception.

Given the wide range of inconsistent early pregnancy signs, the only definitive way to confirm pregnancy is through testing at a women’s health center, such as Pacific Women’s Center.

Pregnancy tests function by detecting the presence of a hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in either your urine or blood. Your body produces this hormone in response to pregnancy, specifically when a fertilized egg implants itself into the lining of your uterus.

If your pregnancy test yields a positive result, it signifies that you are pregnant, while a negative result indicates that you are not pregnant.

Blood tests to determine pregnancy are conducted at your healthcare provider’s office and involve the collection of a blood sample. An alternative method to confirm pregnancy is through an ultrasound, performed by your healthcare provider in their office. Home pregnancy tests, on the other hand, analyze your urine for pregnancy.

These tests offer the advantages of privacy, convenience, and swift results. When properly used following the provided instructions, home pregnancy tests are highly accurate.

However, it’s important to note that even with a positive result from a home test, a visit to the doctor is necessary to officially confirm the pregnancy.

Upon suspecting that you might be pregnant, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider who specializes in pregnancy care, such as gynecologist at Pacific Women’s Center.

Even if you have already confirmed your suspicion through a home pregnancy test, seeking a follow-up appointment is an important step. The early stages of pregnancy are critical for the development of your baby’s vital organs and structures.

Confirming the pregnancy promptly allows you to take the necessary measures to ensure both your well-being and your baby’s health.

When you have the pregnancy test conducted at your healthcare provider’s office, you can typically expect to receive the results within a matter of minutes. Alternatively, if the test is performed at a laboratory, the lab will promptly communicate the results to your doctor’s office.

A pregnancy test typically does not yield a positive result immediately after conception. It requires some time for the body to produce a sufficient amount of HCG for the test to detect. HCG levels tend to increase progressively, and these increasing levels can be identified through both blood and urine tests.

For individuals who have regular menstrual cycles, HCG can typically be detected shortly after missing a period. However, for improved accuracy, the FDA recommends taking a pregnancy test approximately 1 to 2 weeks after missing a period. This time frame allows for a more reliable determination of pregnancy.

Pregnancy testing is available at Pacific Women’s Center. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 911 Country Club Rd. Suite A-222, Eugene, OR 97401. We serve patients from Eugene OR, Coburg OR, Springfield OR, Irving OR, Goshen OR, Cresswell OR, and surrounding areas.