Blood and urine pregnancy tests are designed to detect a specific hormone known as hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is crucial for confirming pregnancy.
A woman’s body begins producing hCG shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. This process, known as implantation, typically occurs between six to ten days after the egg is fertilized by sperm.
Urine vs. Blood Tests
As the pregnancy progresses daily, the levels of hCG in a woman’s body steadily increase. This rise is essential to help maintain a healthy pregnancy. However, the timing of when hCG levels become detectable can vary.
In urine tests, hCG may reach detectable levels on the first day of a woman’s missed menstrual period, so experts suggest taking urine tests after this point.
On the other hand, blood tests for pregnancy are more sensitive compared to urine tests. They can detect lower levels of hCG and can, therefore, identify a pregnancy earlier—sometimes within days of implantation before the menstrual period is even missed.
Urine tests are often found in home pregnancy testing kits and can give you results within minutes. Doctors perform blood tests in their offices, which takes longer to get results.
Ultimately, blood and urine pregnancy tests are designed to be highly accurate when performed under the correct conditions. Properly administered, these tests provide reliable results that can help confirm whether or not a woman is pregnant, allowing her to make informed decisions about her health and pregnancy care.
Get The Answers You Seek
If you think you may be pregnant, Ohana Health provides no-cost, highly accurate urine-based pregnancy testing for you to get the answers you seek. We also offer ultrasounds to confirm key details about your pregnancy.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential appointment in a safe environment.