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What is a Urine Pregnancy Test?

A.E. Freeman
A.E. Freeman

A urine pregnancy test is one common method for a woman to find out if she is pregnant. She can take the urine pregnancy test at home or at her doctor's office. The doctor may choose to perform a blood pregnancy test instead. Both tests look for a hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), that forms in the urine or blood after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. While the blood test can detect the hormone earlier in a woman's pregnancy, it takes longer to get the results. A urine pregnancy test provides almost instantaneous results.

A woman can take an at-home urine pregnancy test about a week after she misses a period. It is important that she not take the test too early or else she may get a negative result when she really is pregnant. She also needs to follow the directions properly in order to ensure that she gets an accurate reading. At-home urine pregnancy tests are usually about 97% accurate.

Home pregnancy test showing positive and negative results.
Home pregnancy test showing positive and negative results.

In order to perform a urine pregnancy test, a woman needs to hold a stick under her urine stream or place a stick into a cup filled with her urine. Results usually appear after a few minutes. On older tests, a blue or pink line would appear if she is pregnant. Sometimes a plus sign appears or the word "YES," depending on the brand of test she uses. Newer tests may feature a digital read-out that displays the word "Pregnant" if the test is positive.

Blood tests are typically used to confirm a positive urine pregnancy test.
Blood tests are typically used to confirm a positive urine pregnancy test.

A urine pregnancy test can occasionally produce a false positive or a false negative. It is important that a woman repeat the at-home test or follow up with a test at her doctor's office. If a woman is on certain medications, such as tranquilizers, she may get a false positive. If her urine is bloody, she may also get a false positive.

Medications such as anti-histamines can cause a false negative. If the test is too old or if a woman did not wait long enough after her missed period to take the test, she may also get a false negative result. A woman who receives a negative result but still thinks she may be pregnant should repeat the test or see her doctor.

Blood tests can detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone earlier than urine tests.
Blood tests can detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone earlier than urine tests.

Urine pregnancy tests can usually be purchased at drugstores or supermarkets. A woman who is concerned about her privacy may wish to order an at-home test online. The tests usually cost less than $20 US Dollars, depending on the test's style and brand.

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    • Home pregnancy test showing positive and negative results.
      By: Tein
      Home pregnancy test showing positive and negative results.
    • Blood tests are typically used to confirm a positive urine pregnancy test.
      By: inkaone
      Blood tests are typically used to confirm a positive urine pregnancy test.
    • Blood tests can detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone earlier than urine tests.
      By: frog-travel
      Blood tests can detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone earlier than urine tests.
    • At home urine pregnancy tests are about 97% accurate.
      By: Monkey Business
      At home urine pregnancy tests are about 97% accurate.
    • A woman can take an at-home urine pregnancy test about a week after she misses a period.
      By: michaeljung
      A woman can take an at-home urine pregnancy test about a week after she misses a period.