Health Topics for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Department of Pediatrics

UI Family Care Center

Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders

Pregnancy tests: blood

The most common sign of early pregnancy is a missed period. If you have missed one or more periods, you should find out if you are pregnant. There are two types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood. Both urine and blood tests can be done in the healthcare provider's office or family clinic. Urine tests can also be done at home with a home pregnancy test kit. These kits can be purchased in drug and grocery stores without a prescription.

The tests look for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG. The HCG hormone is present in your urine and blood when you are pregnant. HCG can be found 10 days after ovulation. So tests can be done as soon as a period is missed. However they will be more accurate if done 1 to 2 weeks after missing a period.

Blood tests can detect the pregnancy earlier and are more accurate than a urine test. But they may take longer to get the results, since they are done in the lab. Also, they are usually more expensive than urine tests.

A blood test will be done if a urine test is negative, but the woman has signs of pregnancy such as:

• episodes of nausea and vomiting
• swollen or tender breasts
• spotting or bleeding that is not like a period
• tiredness or
• frequent urination

If there is a chance you could be pregnant, act as though you are, just to be safe. Eat well, exercise, take vitamins and folic acid, and avoid alcohol and smoking. If you are taking any over-the- counter or prescription medications, call your provider to see if you should stop taking them. They may cause harm to your baby. Even before a pregnancy test is positive, a baby's nervous system, heart, and lungs are beginning to develop.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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