Home pregnancy tests are usually pretty reliable, but you may want to confirm your results with a medical professional. Zappy Health mobile care units offer fast and affordable pregnancy tests, including those that use urine samples. You can even receive a prescription for a home pregnancy test if needed. Zappy Health is open seven days a week, 365 day a year. There’s no appointment required. Visit us online to make an appointment today.
When to take a pregnancy test
The most accurate way to check whether you’re pregnant is to use a home pregnancy kit. But since you don’t want to give yourself unnecessary stress, there are some things you should know about how to do this correctly.
According to WebMD, the ideal time to take a pregnancy kit is around the time of ovulation, which is typically 10 days prior to your next menstrual period. If you’ve had unprotected sex within 72 hours of taking the test, you’ll likely see a positive result. However, if you haven’t been having regular periods, it could take up to two weeks for the pregnancy hormone to show up. In addition, you might experience a false negative if you take the test too soon — even though you’re technically pregnant, the hormones won’t be present in your body yet.
If you think you’ve conceived, you can try another method called a urine stick test. This involves collecting a small sample of urine and testing it for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a protein produced by the placenta during pregnancy. While this method isn’t quite as reliable as a home pregnancy kit, it does allow you to determine whether you actually are pregnant without relying on your cycle.
How much does a pregnancy test cost?
The cost of a home pregnancy test depends on several factors including the brand name, how many tests are being purchased, and whether you buy online or go to a brick-and-mortar store. Prices range from $0.88 to $20 or more per test, according to Good RX Health.
Home pregnancy tests typically include instructions and come in three different types: urine, saliva, and blood. They’re usually sold individually and often contain multiple tests. Some brands offer kits containing up to 10 tests.
A pregnancy test bought from a licensed medical provider can cost more because it includes training materials and counseling. You might find yourself paying $10-$25 for a single test. If you want to take more than one test, some providers charge extra.
Urine pregnancy tests are the cheapest option. They don’t require any special equipment and can be found at drugstores and grocery stores. However, they aren’t always reliable. For example, they won’t detect ovulation, and they may give false positive results if you’ve recently had sex.
Saliva and blood tests are slightly more expensive, ranging from $9 to $19 each. These tests use specialized strips that measure hormone levels in your body. Depending on the brand, they may tell you if you’re pregnant, if you’re ovulating, or if you’re infertile.
You’ll pay less for a pregnancy test if you buy it online. Online retailers like Amazon and Walmart sell both home and professional versions for around $5 per test. This makes sense since there’s no middleman taking a cut.
How soon do pregnancy symptoms appear?
The earliest signs of pregnancy include changes in body odor, breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headaches, spotting, and weight gain. You might notice some of these things before your menstrual cycle starts, but it can still take several days to a week for the pregnancy hormones to show up in your bloodstream.
While most pregnancy tests are fairly accurate after a missed period, there’s no way to know whether your test will give you a positive or negative result until at least two weeks later. If you think you’re pregnant, don’t worry about waiting that long—a blood test can tell you much sooner.
What Types of Pregnancy Screening Tests Should I Have?
Pregnancy screening tests are usually done during the first and second halves of gestation to detect abnormalities. Some tests are used throughout the entire pregnancy, while others are only performed during specific times.
Ultrasound scans are one of the most common types of prenatal testing, and they provide detailed images of the fetus. They are often recommended during the first trimester, although they can be performed up until 24 weeks into the pregnancy. These exams are especially useful in determining whether the baby is growing properly.
Blood tests are another type of test that is commonly used to assess the health of both the mother and her unborn child. A blood sample is taken from the mother, and it is sent off to a lab where it is analyzed for markers of disease. This information helps doctors determine how healthy the baby is and what medical treatments might be needed.
Blood tests are particularly helpful in detecting problems related to Rh incompatibility, which occurs when a woman carries Rhesus negative antibodies, and her partner is positive. If she gets pregnant, there is a chance that the baby will develop red cells that do not react well to the Rhesus factor found in her partner’s blood. When this happens, the baby needs treatment to prevent complications such as jaundice, bleeding, and low platelet count.
Other blood tests are sometimes used to screen for diseases like syphilis, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These tests are generally only recommended during the third trimester because they require multiple visits over several months. However, they can be performed earlier in pregnancy if a doctor suspects a problem.
Gestational diabetes is another condition that requires regular monitoring. In this case, blood samples are drawn periodically to measure glucose levels in the blood. Women who experience high glucose levels are encouraged to eat healthier diets and exercise more frequently.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women undergo a complete physical examination every four to six weeks during the first half of pregnancy, and once a month thereafter. During each visit, the doctor checks for signs of infection, monitors fetal growth, and performs routine measurements. She may recommend additional tests based on symptoms or findings.
Where to get a pregnancy test?
Zappy Health offers uber-like pregnancy tests Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm, and we’re always here to answer questions about STIs, too. If you’re looking for a place where you can feel safe getting tested, come see us. You’ll find friendly professionals ready to help you get accurate results.
Visit Zappy Health Pregnancy Test Urgent Care to get tested.
