Blood and urine pregnancy tests both determine if you’re pregnant by determining if the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone is present. However, blood pregnancy tests require drawing blood and urine pregnancy tests only require urination.
Blood pregnancy tests can tell you if you’re pregnant earlier than urine pregnancy tests, and some kinds (quantitative hCG tests) can tell you the exact amount of hCG in your blood.
What Is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)?
Once a fertilized egg (embryo) implants in the wall of a woman’s uterus, the placenta begins to form. This is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. It provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing embryo. It’s the placenta that produces human chorionic gonadotropin, known as the pregnancy hormone.
Human chorionic gonadotropin triggers a woman’s body to produce more estrogen and progesterone hormones. These will thicken the uterine lining and stop the body from menstruating or releasing eggs. The balance of hCG, estrogen, and progesterone supports the pregnancy and keeps it growing and progressing.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Pregnancy tests work by determining if the hCG hormone is present.
However, your body needs time to build up levels of hCG before they are detectable with a typical pregnancy test. Waiting one week until after your first missed period helps you more accurately determine whether or not you’re pregnant. A blood pregnancy test can tell you even earlier because it can detect smaller amounts of hCG.
Types of Pregnancy Tests
Qualitative hCG Blood Test
This pregnancy test works by drawing blood and will tell you whether or not you’re pregnant. It will not tell you the amount of hCG in your blood.
Quantitative hCG Blood Test
This pregnancy test also works by drawing blood. It will tell you if you’re pregnant and give the exact amount of hCG present in your blood.
hCG Urine Test
These come in many different formats such as in strips or plastic tests. They will tell you if you are pregnant or not. You can purchase these over-the-counter at many types of stores. They are pretty accurate, but timing and following the instructions is important.
The best time to take one of these tests is in the morning when your urine is most concentrated.
Free Pregnancy Testing and Services
Instead of purchasing an over-the-counter test, schedule a no-cost appointment at Alabama Pregnancy Test Center. We provide free pregnancy testing and follow-up services to make sure you know if you’re pregnant or not with certainty.
Contact us to schedule your free and confidential appointment today!