URINE PREGNANCY TESTS

Pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the urine or serum of a pregnant woman. HCG is produced when the pregnancy is implanted in the endometrium (ectopic pregnancies are implantations in other sites). Pregnancy tests are designed to detect this hormone.

Two types of urine pregnancy tests used by Family Planning Associates are the urine chorionic gonadotropin (UCG) and the Early Pregnancy Test (EPT). FPA does not routinely perform blood tests (or beta-HCG tests) to diagnose pregnancy.

The UCG is a urine test offered to patients whose menstrual cycle is at least two weeks late. This test is not as sensitive as the EPT and results are available within several minutes. There is no charge for this test at FPA.

The EPT is a urine test offered to patients whose menstrual cycle is not yet two weeks late, but wish to determine if they are pregnant. There is a $10 fee for this highly sensitive test capable of detecting the pregnancy hormone sometimes 7 days after conception. Results are available within several minutes.

A first morning urine specimen is preferred for pregnancy testing because the pregnancy hormone is more concentrated.

Pregnancy tests cannot be used alone as a diagnosis of pregnancy because false positive and false negative results can occur. False readings can be caused if the urine is too diluted, if the pregnancy is very early, or if the pregnancy is ectopic (outside the uterus). A pelvic exam and ultrasound are required to confirm pregnancy, as well as the location and gestation of the pregnancy.