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What is Pregnancy Testing?
A pregnancy test is done to determine if you are pregnant. These tests check for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which your body makes after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus (about 10 days after conception).
There are two main forms of pregnancy tests, including blood tests and urine tests.
“I highly recommend Dr. Tepper!He is highly professional, experienced, and calming. My pregnancy and birth were such a positive experience thanks to him and his lovely staff at the clinic.”
SEE MOREUrine Tests
Urine pregnancy tests can be done at home or in a doctor’s office. At-home urine tests involve urinating on the test stick, waiting a few minutes, and then reviewing the results. Be sure to follow the instructions that come with the at-home test for accurate results. After you take an at-home test, you should confirm your results by visiting your doctor.
If you are receiving a urine test at a doctor’s office, you will be asked to urinate in a test cup. Your urine will then be tested at the office.
Blood Tests
Blood pregnancy tests are offered at a doctor’s office and identify pregnancy earlier than an at-home pregnancy test. The two main types of blood pregnancy tests are:
- Qualitative hCG test: This test simply checks for hCG to determine if you are pregnant. It is often used to confirm pregnancy as soon as 10 days following conception, though it may detect hCG much earlier.
- Quantitative hCG test: This test measures the exact amount of hCG that is in your blood, and can find even very low levels of hCG. This option may help to track problems during pregnancy, and may also be used along with other tests to rule out an ectopic pregnancy or after a miscarriage.
MEET DR. ALEX TEPPER
Welcome to my practice. Let me introduce myself and my practice philosophy. I am a board certified OB/GYN in practice for over 20 years and have been a solo-practitioner on the Upper East Side of Manhattan since 2000. All deliveries are performed at The Mount Sinai Medical Center where I went to medical school and at Lenox Hill Hospital.
When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
If you believe that you may be pregnant, it is always a good idea to take a test to confirm your suspicions. For a more accurate result, you should wait until after you have missed a period to take a pregnancy test. If you take a test too soon the results may be negative even if you are pregnant. If you receive a negative result from a test but then miss a period, take another test or visit your doctor.
If you are pregnant, it is important to begin prenatal care with your OB/GYN, including taking prenatal vitamins and making sure to follow healthy habits. At our office, Dr. Tepper will speak with you regarding your health history and may perform some tests to ensure that you and your baby are healthy throughout your pregnancy.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Whether you are a new or returning patient, Dr. Tepper can assess your concerns and discuss your options to find the most comfortable and convenient care for you. To get started, call our office to set up an appointment.
CALL FOR APPOINTMENTContact Us to Learn More
If you have any questions regarding pregnancy testing, or would like to schedule a pregnancy test at our office, contact us today at (212) 828-0900. We will be happy to assist you!
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