FREE PREGNANCY TESTS IN OTTAWA

WHAT IS A PREGNANCY TEST?

A pregnancy test is a test that measures hCG, which is the hormone produced during pregnancy. This pregnancy hormone can be measured through a blood or urine sample. It can be detected in your blood 6-8 days after conception or typically 1-2 days before your next expected period.

You might be pregnant if you:

• Have missed one or more menstrual periods
• Have swollen and/or tender breasts
• Are nauseated or have had a change in appetite
• Are tired or dizzy
• Have to urinate more often
• Have recently gained or lost weight

The most accurate way to know if you are pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test. The free pregnancy tests at First Place Options are laboratory quality urine tests, that can detect pregnancy two days after a missed period and are 99% accurate.

Urine pregnancy tests like the ones offered at First Place Options, or ones that you can pick up at a pharmacy are considered to be reliable when taken according to the instructions. If you take a pregnancy test and it is positive, you are more than likely pregnant. False positive tests, where a pregnancy test shows a positive result, but the person is not actually pregnant, are rare. False negative tests (when the test is negative but you are pregnant) are more common. A false negative pregnancy test result can occur if the test is expired, failing to follow the test instructions or if the test is taken too early (before hCG the pregnancy hormone level is high enough to register on a pregnancy test). It is a good idea to take another pregnancy test a week after a negative test, if you still have not gotten your period.

Although some pregnancy tests are sensitive enough to pick up hCG levels in your urine 6-7 days before your expected period, it is commonly advised to wait until after the first day of your expected period before taking a urine pregnancy test. If you are taking a pregnancy test before your expected period or shortly after your expected period would have begun, it is helpful to do so first thing in the morning. The levels of hCG begin to rise after conception and continue to rise for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Taking a pregnancy test with your first morning urine, ensures the highest concentration of hCG in your urine. This can be helpful when taking a pregnancy test early on, when hCG levels may still be low.

There are different options available for where to get a pregnancy test. You can purchase a pregnancy test from your local pharmacy. You can visit the office of your doctor or nurse practitioner. Or you can book an appointment with us at First Place Options to take a free laboratory quality urine pregnancy test.

There are three ways to determine if you are pregnant: a urine-based pregnancy test, a blood test and an ultrasound. Blood tests and ultrasounds require a requisition from a doctor or a nurse practitioner. These tests can be used to get an idea of how far along the pregnancy is, if indeed there is a pregnancy. Urine-based pregnancy tests cannot determine the amount of time you have been pregnant. Urine-based pregnancy tests differ slightly depending on the brand and the sensitivity of the test. Some urine-based pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others and can pick up hCG (the pregnancy hormone) a few days before a missed period (typically 10 days after conception), while others require you to take them after your expected missed period.

As long as a urine-based pregnancy test is taken following that test’s specific instructions and parameters, they essentially all function the same way; by detecting the presence of hCG (the pregnancy hormone) in your urine. Most urine-based pregnancy tests are considered to be 99% effective when used correctly.

Pregnancy symptoms can start within a few days of conception or symptoms may not be experienced until several weeks into the pregnancy. Occasionally, the only symptom of a possible pregnancy is the absence of a period. Symptoms such as nausea, tiredness, fatigue, food cravings, tender breasts and mood swings can also be symptoms of PMS. Some of these symptoms can also be caused by significant stress, whether life related stress or the fear of a possible unwanted pregnancy. The only way to tell if you are pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test.

Getting a positive pregnancy test when you weren’t expecting it, can be very scary, overwhelming and stressful. During stressful situations, such as an unplanned pregnancy, our brain’s ability to make sound decisions becomes compromised. Therefore, it is important to allow yourself the time to process all of your options: abortion, adoption and parenting. An unexpected pregnancy can also be complicated by a number of things:

• School or career pressures
• Family tension
• Broken relationships
• Financial needs
• Health concerns

Talking with an experienced and caring counsellor can help you to explore your options in an unbiased and safe environment. At First Place Options we offer Pregnancy Options counselling, which is both free and confidential. We know that facing an unexpected pregnancy can leave you feeling alone and we are here to support you, so that you can make an informed decision that you feel is right for you. Click here to book a free appointment today.