Pregnancy Tests at Walgreens
Think you may be pregnant? Of course, you want to know quickly and accurately whether you're soon to become a parent. Early care is essential to a healthy pregnancy and baby. With a home pregnancy test, you can get results without leaving your home. Home pregnancy tests are highly accurate and simple to use and interpret so you can get the answers you need.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG. After an egg is fertilized and pregnancy has taken place, levels of this hormone begin to rise. Some of this hormone enters your urine and a pregnancy test can detect it. Because HCG levels begin to increase quickly after you become pregnant, some pregnancy tests can tell you whether you're pregnant even before you've even missed a period.
How easy is it to use a home pregnancy test? The way you perform a pregnancy test depends upon the test you choose. For most at-home pregnancy tests, you urinate into a cup and put a dipstick into the urine. For some, you place the dipstick directly into your urine stream. The dipstick changes colors or forms a plus sign if you're pregnant. Some pregnancy tests are digital and flash the results - "pregnant" or "not pregnant" onto an LCD screen on the indicator stick.
Types of Pregnancy Tests
Some home pregnancy tests are labeled "early pregnancy tests." You can perform this test as early as four days before your period is due. At this stage, it's possible for the test to be falsely negative. A false negative test means the test indicates you're not pregnant but you are. This is more likely to happen if you perform the test before your period is due. When you test before your scheduled period is due your HCG level may not be high enough for the test to pick it up. For added reassurance, you can repeat the test again after the day of your scheduled period has past. Some people prefer a digital pregnancy test because it's so easy to interpret. The results are displayed on an LCD screen as soon as the test is complete. This means you don't have to interpret the results yourself. Sometimes it's hard to interpret a non-digital pregnancy test that uses a "plus" or "minus" or a color change.
Using Home Pregnancy Tests Correctly
Always read the instructions carefully before beginning a pregnancy test. Complete instructions are included with each kit. Be sure to time the test accurately. If you read it too soon, the results may be inaccurate. The best time to take a home pregnancy test is first thing in the morning. Your urine is most concentrated at this time and HCG levels will be easier to detect. Urine that's too dilute may give a falsely negative result for some women.
The Bottom Line
Home pregnancy tests are convenient and simple to perform. Walgreens offers an assortment of pregnancy and fertility products for your every need. If you discover you're pregnant, see your doctor as soon as possible so you can get the care you need to protect the health of you and your baby.