There are so many options! What at-home pregnancy test should I use?

If you think you may be pregnant, most brands of at-home pregnancy tests are reliable. The main difference between brands is the sensitivity of the test, which means that they may give you a positive result sooner than others.

How do these tests work?

An at-home pregnancy test works by analyzing the HCG in your urine. HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy. There are three different ways you can take an at-home pregnancy test:

1. While urinating, place the pregnancy test strip in your stream.
2. Urinate in a clean cup and then put drops of your urine on the pregnancy test strip.
3. Urinate in a clean cup and put the test strip portion of the pregnancy test in the urine while it’s still in the cup.

It is important to read all instructions on the pregnancy test before using them to ensure accurate results.

When should you take an at-home pregnancy test?

Most at-home pregnancy tests are around 98-99% accurate, but there are things you can do to increase the accuracy. These include:

• Waiting until you miss your first period to take the test.
• Testing using your first urine of the day or urine from a full bladder.
• Excessive water intake before testing as this can dilute your urine.

My pregnancy test came back positive. Now what?

First off, congratulations! Second, follow these steps:

1. Call our clinic at (402) 644-4600 to schedule your first appointment with one of our OB/GYN physicians. This appointment won’t be scheduled for several weeks, but it is important to call early so we can get you on our schedule.
2. Begin taking prenatal vitamins if you haven’t already. Choose a prenatal vitamin with folic acid included as an ingredient. Folic acid can help prevent complications during the growth of your baby.
3. Begin focusing on healthy habits, such as not drinking alcohol or smoking. Also, you should limit the amount of caffeine you consume each day to no more than 200 mg. That is about two 6 oz cups per day.

We look forward to offering you high-quality, safe pregnancy care throughout this incredible journey. Thank you in advance for trusting us to care for you and your baby!