What is Pregnancy Testing?
Pregnancy testing can be performed either at home or in your gynecologist’s office (and sometimes both). Usually, home pregnancy testing (HPT) is a first step in determining whether you’re pregnant (after you notice a missed period). HPTs work by measuring the amount of hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, that is present in your urine. This hormone is only produced when an egg is fertilized and implanted in the uterus. Similarly, this can be detected with a blood test in your gynecologist’s office. Often, in-office tests can be more accurate and can detect pregnancy earlier than at-home tests. In some cases, your in-office test may use a simple urine sample instead.
Why is Pregnancy Testing Important?
The earlier you detect a pregnancy, the sooner you can take the best steps for your health and your child’s. Additionally, it’s important to confirm whether you’re pregnant or not before beginning certain medications that might cause complications or birth defects. If you go and see your gynecologist for certain symptoms, they may want to rule out pregnancy before looking at other options. In short, pregnancy testing can be an important step in women’s health whether you’re looking to become pregnant or not.
How Can My Gynecologist Help?
Aside from performing an in-office pregnancy test, your gynecologist can help you achieve your ideal outcome for your reproductive plans. If you’re hoping to become pregnant, your gynecologist can provide preconception counseling and even refer you to a genetic specialist if they believe you might be at risk for passing on certain conditions. If you want to avoid becoming pregnant, your gynecologist can discuss the best birth control options for you and your partner. Finally, your gynecologist can discuss your next steps if your test shows that you are pregnant.
Schedule an Appointment
Your goals for reproduction should be partnered with an expert gynecologist who can help you through every step of the process. To get started, contact our New York City office by calling or filling out our online form.
