Should I Take A Pregnancy Test?
This is a question many women ask at one point or another in life. The age-old question of “Am I pregnant?”, could be asked because you’ve missed your period, you have reason to believe your safe sex wasn’t so safe, or perhaps because you’re beginning to notice pregnancy symptoms. In each case, the first step in discovering your pregnancy is by taking a pregnancy test.
At Embrace, we support and empower women through their pregnancy decisions and beyond. Our community is built around the idea that life is valuable and we provide accurate information about STDs, pregnancy, adoption, and abortion to all who walk through our doors. If you have any questions at all you can always call Embrace at (316) 945-9400 or text us at (316) 530-1009.
What Are Common Pregnancy Symptoms?
Every woman is different, so women may experience different symptoms. Some women may deal with one symptom more so than another. Yet, there are many common symptoms that most women encounter when pregnant. So what are these early pregnancy symptoms? Let’s take a look at the most common ones:
- Missed period
- Aversion to certain foods or smells
- Morning sickness
- Breast tenderness
To learn more about early pregnancy symptoms, check out our article on this topic.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
A pregnancy test is an amazing tool and also works in a pretty simple way. A pregnancy test can be done in two ways: either by testing your urine or by doing a blood test. The majority of pregnancy tests are done by sampling your urine, while blood tests are much less common. Either way, the pregnancy test is looking for the presence of HCG. HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and are the cells that end up becoming the placenta.
When Should I Take A Pregnancy Test?
A pregnancy test is usually taken during the first trimester when you begin to first notice pregnancy symptoms and when your HCG levels will be the highest. You’ll want to take your pregnancy test first thing in the morning. This is due to the fact that drinking a lot of liquids can dilute your urine and therefore dilute your HCG levels and provide a false negative. To get an accurate result, you should wait two to three weeks after sex to take a pregnancy test.
How Embrace Can Help With Your Pregnancy
When you come to Embrace, you get more than a free lab-grade pregnancy test. You also get a free ultrasound scheduled for a later date, as well as a consultation with our resource manager. She can answer questions about insurance and give you information about our incentive parenting classes. She can also help you with any other needs you may have from housing to education and job searching. And the entire process won’t cost you a penny!
The only way to confirm a pregnancy is by having an ultrasound. It is also important for helping you to understand your pregnancy options. During an ultrasound at Embrace, a medical professional will confirm the viability of the pregnancy and determine how far along you are.
All of these services are provided to you by a team of women who genuinely care about you. We can help you understand your options when it comes to abortion, parenting, and adoption. After all, knowledge leads to empowerment. If you have any questions or you want to make a free and confidential appointment, call Embrace at (316) 945-9400 or text us at (316) 530-1009.