How to Confirm Pregnancy (and Why It’s So Important)

If you think you may be pregnant, there are many thoughts that might race through your mind—different things to do, questions to answer, and people to talk to. However, it’s essential to try to quiet all of those thoughts because the most important thing to do first is to confirm your pregnancy. Confirming whether or not you are pregnant is the first step to take, and it will determine how you move forward. We at Life Forward are here to help you on your journey.

We have a team of medical professionals that you can talk to and ask questions. They will provide some answers and offer free pregnancy testing and an ultrasound to confirm whether or not you are pregnant. We also have experienced Client Educators who are trained, willing to listen, and provide a safe and neutral environment. We want you to feel heard and understood as you share intimate thoughts and feelings. Please reach out to Life Forward to get started today!

In this article, we’ll focus on the main tests that indicate you may be pregnant, how to confirm pregnancy, and why it’s such an important thing to do.

Different Ways to Indicate That You May Be Pregnant

There are a few symptoms and early signs that indicate that you might be pregnant. These include fatigue, nausea or vomiting (often referred to as “morning sickness”), frequent urination, and breast changes. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have missed your period, it may be time to take a pregnancy test.

When you get pregnant, your body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that can be found in your blood and urine. Your body begins producing hCG once a fertilized egg has attached to the wall of your uterus—generally about 6 days after fertilization. Pregnancy tests check for hCG in your body to determine whether you may be pregnant or not.

Here are the main tests to indicate that you may be pregnant:

• Urine Test - Urine tests can be taken both at home and at a doctor’s office or medical clinic to determine whether you may be pregnant. Pregnancy can be indicated by a urine test as early as 2 weeks after conception, which is normally around the time that you would expect your period. Urine tests check for hCG in your body as it is excreted out in your urine.

  At-home pregnancy tests are usually reliable as long as you follow the directions provided. But, it’s also always a good idea to get a test administered by your doctor or another medical professional.

  There are several ways that pregnancy urine tests work, including collecting your urine in a cup and dipping a test stick into it, collecting your urine in a cup and using a dropper to put it into another container, or holding the test stick in your urine stream.

• Blood Test - The other main test for indicating that you may be pregnant is a blood test. These tests are less common, but can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests— usually about 6-8 days after ovulation. Blood tests are only given at a doctor’s office or other medical clinic and indicate pregnancy by measuring your body’s hCG levels in your blood.

  There are two main types of blood tests for detecting pregnancy:

  • Qualitative hCG Test - This blood test simply checks for hCG in your blood and provides a “yes” or “no” answer as to whether you may be pregnant.

  • Quantitative hCG Test - This test is also referred to as a “beta hCG test” and can measure the exact levels of hCG in your blood. This test is more commonly used to track any problems during pregnancy, including ruling out an ectopic pregnancy or after a miscarriage.

While these tests are helpful in determining whether or not you may be pregnant, they do not actually confirm pregnancy. The only way to confirm your pregnancy is through an ultrasound.

Confirming Pregnancy Through an Ultrasound

The at-home pregnancy tests are a quick and convenient way to indicate whether you may be pregnant, but having an ultrasound is the only true way to confirm your pregnancy. Ultrasounds are normally conducted around 6 weeks of pregnancy and will be able to confirm whether you are pregnant or not. If you are pregnant, the ultrasound will also offer the first glimpses of your baby and is the best way to determine your expected date of delivery.

If you think you might be pregnant, you can schedule a pregnancy confirmation appointment with us at Life Forward or reach out to us for additional information about confirming pregnancy.

Why Is It So Important to Confirm Your Pregnancy?

Now that we’ve discussed confirming pregnancy via ultrasound, it’s time to focus on why it’s so important. Even if you suspect you are pregnant, confirming your pregnancy and knowing for sure will allow you to start thinking about what to do next. If you are pregnant, that next step will include learning more about your options, which include parenting, making an adoption plan, or having an abortion.

If you are considering having an abortion after taking one of the tests mentioned earlier that indicated you may be pregnant, you will want to confirm the pregnancy. This is important because if you aren't pregnant, you don't need an abortion.

Another reason confirming pregnancy is important is because, if you are pregnant, you’ll want to make sure you are taking care of your body and the baby growing inside of it while you determine which option you want to move forward with. This includes things like getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and no longer using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs.

It also includes getting the proper medical care, since the first few weeks of pregnancy are critical to a baby’s overall development, and both miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies are common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Confirming your pregnancy allows you to make the necessary changes, get the medical attention you need, and keep both you and your baby healthy from the start.

Confirming pregnancy early on is also important because it gives you the most amount of time to get the help you may need to care for your baby. You can begin to plan and figure out your next steps, what you’ll need going forward, and who will help you along the way.

How Life Forward Can Help

At Life Forward, we are here to help women in the Cincinnati area who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. In addition to consultations, pregnancy testing, and ultrasounds, we offer other educational and supportive services—as well as referrals to other community resources—at no cost to you.

Our staff of trained Client Educators and medical professionals will assist you and connect you to the resources and help you need. These resources can help you be more prepared during your pregnancy and make the best decision for yourself. Learn more about the services we offer or contact us at 513.961.7777 to schedule an appointment today!