How does a Pregnancy Test Work?
- Marc Bernaldez
- Apr 26, 2023
- 2 min read
A pregnancy test is a medical test that is used to determine if a woman is pregnant or not. It works by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's urine or blood.
This hormone is produced by the placenta after a fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus, and its levels increase rapidly in the early weeks of pregnancy.
There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine tests and blood tests. Urine tests are the most common type and can be done at home a doctor's office or our laboratory. These tests are designed to be easy to use and usually involve collecting a urine sample and then applying it to a test strip or dipstick. The test will show a positive result if hCG is detected in the urine, indicating that the woman is pregnant.
Blood tests, on the other hand, are usually done in a doctor's office and are more sensitive than urine tests. There are two types of blood tests: quantitative and qualitative. A quantitative blood test measures the exact amount of hCG in the blood, while a qualitative blood test simply detects the presence of the hormone. Blood tests are often used to confirm a pregnancy or to check hCG levels if a woman is experiencing bleeding or cramping.
It's important to note that pregnancy tests are not 100% accurate and can sometimes give false negative or false positive results. If you think you may be pregnant, it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further testing and guidance.
EpicWave Laboratory offers quick, reportable pregnancy tests, administered by our healthcare providers. No doctor's note is required for this test. Each test is $18.00. If you have PPO insurance, this test may be covered with a doctor's note. To make an appointment, please click below:
What to expect for your appointment:
You will be given a form to fill out for basic information.
A sterile cup will be given to you to collect a sample.
The cup is returned to the laboratory technician.
The lab technician runs the test.
The lab personnel reports the test and results are ready by our portal and can be shared with your primary care doctor for interpretation and guidance.
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