Watching for pregnancy symptoms can cause so much anxiety when you think there is a chance you might be pregnant. Don’t wait; stop wondering about pregnancy symptoms and find out for sure if you are pregnant with a free and confidential pregnancy test. Contact the Pregnancy Resource Centre of Jamaica for your free pregnancy testing appointment.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
Pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman’s urine. This hormone is only detectable in a urine test when a woman is pregnant or in rare conditions. When a urine pregnancy test strip is exposed to hCG, it returns a positive result within just a few minutes.
When Can You Test
While some pregnancy tests claim to offer accurate results before your missed period, it is best to wait until a week after you missed your period to test. Knowing when to test if you don’t track your period or if it is irregular can be challenging. If you’re unsure when to expect your period, waiting about 3 weeks after you had unprotected sex will improve the test’s accuracy.
If you test negative, but your period does not arrive, you will want to wait another week before testing again.
Are Drug Store Tests Accurate?
Some brands of home pregnancy tests claim an accuracy of up to 99% when used correctly. If you test at home, follow these tips to ensure an accurate response.
- Follow the directions included in the test.
- Do not apply too much urine to the test strip; this can cause a false negative.
- Do not read the test past the timeframe indicated in the instructions; this can also cause a false negative.
- Test first thing in the morning when your urine is most concentrated.
What’s Next
Even if you take a pregnancy test at home, follow it up with a free, highly accurate test at the Pregnancy Resource Centre of Jamaica. You deserve the support we offer.