Pregnancy tests: urine (home tests)

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 a drug or grocery store without a prescription.

A urine pregnancy test is done with a small sample of urine. The test looks for a hormone called human chorionic gonadtropin, or HCG. The HCG hormone is present in your blood and urine 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.

Urine tests are almost, but not quite, as accurate as blood tests. But they are less expensive and more convenient. You can perform the test yourself and get the results right away.

To do the test, collect a sample of urine the first time you go to the bathroom in the morning, before you have had anything to drink. The urine is more concentrated at this time. So it contains higher levels of HCG and will give better results.

If the test is positive, schedule a visit with your provider to confirm the results and to begin your prenatal care. But remember, home pregnancy tests are not 100 percent accurate. They may show that you are pregnant, when you are not. This is called a "false positive" test. It can occur because HCG is present in the urine because of another medical condition you might have or medications you are taking.

If the test is negative, there is not enough HCG in the urine to show you are pregnant. This may be because the sample of urine was not concentrated enough. You can try to take the test again. Be sure you check your urine first thing in the morning, so it is concentrated. It may also be negative because you took the test too soon after missing a period. Wait for 1 to 2 weeks and try again.

If it is still negative, medications may be making the test results inaccurate; there may be a problem with your pregnancy or you just may not be pregnant. But you should contact your provider to discuss the results. Your provider may want to order a pregnancy blood test, since it is more accurate.

Be sure to see your provider though, if you have symptoms 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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