What Is the Difference Between a Blood and Urine Pregnancy Test?

Have you recently had unprotected sex? Is your period late? If you answered yes to either question, you could possibly be pregnant. 

A late period or feeling more tired than usual can point to pregnancy. But taking a pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure if you’re pregnant or not. 

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

All pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman’s urine or blood. HCG levels rise to a detectable level after a pregnancy implants in the uterus. 

As a pregnancy grows, HCG levels will continue to rise, doubling every 2-3 days. Except for in rare cases, hCG is only detectable in a woman’s body during pregnancy. 

There are two types of pregnancy tests, urine and blood.

Urine Test

An at-home pregnancy test you buy at a pharmacy or grocery store uses urine to detect a pregnancy. Urine tests boast up to 99% accurate results. However, it is best to take the test a day or two after your missed period for the most reliable results. 

False-negatives (a negative result when you’re pregnant) can happen if the test is administered too early or the urine is not concentrated enough. Similarly, false positives can occur due to the lower quality of a home test or if the test user doesn’t follow the instructions accurately. That’s why it’s important to confirm your pregnancy with a medical grade urine test with a medical professional. 

Blood Test

Just like urine tests, a blood test also works by detecting HCG levels in a woman’s body. One advantage of a blood test is that it can detect a pregnancy earlier than a urine test can. 

Blood tests are more expensive than urine tests, take longer, and they must be done in a doctor’s office. So there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of tests. 

Next Steps

Pregnancy can change a woman’s whole outlook on life. But before seeking solutions to an unplanned pregnancy, the next step is to confirm that your pregnancy is still viable through a lab-quality pregnancy test and a follow up ultrasound.

Women can visit Mendo Lake Women’s Clinic for a no-cost, medical grade urine pregnancy test and limited obstetrical ultrasound.

Text 707-272-3051 to schedule your first appointment. Our staff are compassionate and professional. You deserve to get answers to your questions. Contact our office today!