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Pregnancy Testing

Whether you are excited about welcoming a new family member or you are worried because you missed a period, information is key. Pregnancy tests at Planned Parenthood can give you the knowledge to help you take whatever next steps are best for you.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Common symptoms of early pregnancy include:

  • nausea
  • tender or swollen breasts
  • a late period
  • feeling very tired
  • feeling bloated
  • frequent urination
  • mood swings

Am I Pregnant?

There’s only one way to find out for sure if you’re pregnant: take a pregnancy test. But it’s normal to wonder if you need a test or not. We can help you figure it out.

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How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?

The pregnancy tests offered at Planned Parenthood are simple urine tests. Your urine is tested for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone that is released after the fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus. This means that HCG is only ever found if you are pregnant.

When Can I Take a Pregnancy Test?

A pregnancy test can be taken:

  • After the first missed period. 
  • Or about 19 days after suspected conception. It takes between 6 and 12 days for a fertilized egg to implant in the wall of the uterus. It then takes a few more days for it to release enough HCG to be detected by the test. This, plus the fact that sperm can live up to 5 days leads us to the number 19.
How Accurate Are Pregnancy Tests?

When taken correctly, pregnancy tests are extremely reliable. When used by health care professionals, home pregnancy tests are 97.4 percent accurate; however, this drops to 75 percent when the pregnancy tests are self-administered by consumers. By coming in to Planned Parenthood, you can be assured that your results will be very accurate.

What If My Pregnancy Test Is Negative?

If your pregnancy test is negative, you probably are not pregnant; however, you might have taken the test too early to be sure. You should wait a couple days after your missed period and take another test.

What If I Can't Tell If My Pregnancy Test Is Positive or Negative?

The results of some pregnancy tests can be difficult to interpret. Schedule a visit at your local Planned Parenthood health center to talk to health care professionals and to get a pregnancy test with the highest accuracy.

What Do I Need to Do to Get a Pregnancy Test?

To get a pregnancy test at Planned Parenthood, please schedule an appointment with your nearest health center by clicking the button below.

What if My Pregnancy Test is Positive?

What if My Pregnancy Test is Positive?

If your pregnancy test is positive, then you are pregnant. False-positives (getting a test result that says you're pregnant when you actually aren't) are extremely rare. We can confirm the results and go over your options with you. We can also refer you to prenatal care, adoption resources or abortion services depending on your choice.

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Whether it's affordable birth control or the right to safe and legal abortion, tell us why Planned Parenthood matter to you. Your story will help us show lawmakers, the media, and supporters why Planned Parenthood matters and our impact in the community.

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