Pregnancy

Could I Be Pregnant?

Any time you have sex, there is always a chance for pregnancy. At different times of the month the chance can increase or decrease, but because sperm can live in a woman’s body for a couple of days, it’s impossible to know what your chances are at any given time.

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Many women assume that if they use contraception, they cannot become pregnant. Contraception, however, is not 100 percent effective and the chance for pregnancy is never eliminated if you’ve had sex.[1]

One of the most common signs of pregnancy is a missed period. Pregnancy is not the only reason a woman might miss her period, but if she has had sex, the possibility of pregnancy should not be ruled out.

If you think you may be pregnant your next step should be scheduling a FREE Pregnancy Test from Plant City Pregnancy Center. You do NOT have to go through this process alone. At Plant City Pregnancy Center we can help you deal with the results, no matter what they are, in a manner that is best for you and your situation. We have compassion for you and want to help you in any way we can.

Possible Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Some women have no noticeable signs at all. The timing of the onset of signs and symptoms also varies. Early indications may include but are not limited to: [4] [5] [6]

Missed period
Tender and swollen breasts
Nausea / Morning Sickness (with or without vomiting)
Increased urination
Tired / fatigue[2]

Other symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

Light spotting
Cramping
Moodiness
Bloating
Constipation.[3]

Pregnancy Tests

A good indication of pregnancy is a pregnancy test; pregnancy tests, however, are only an indication of pregnancy. Only a medical professional can diagnose a pregnancy. If you have had a positive pregnancy test, consider taking another or scheduling an ultrasound for verification. If you call our center, we can set an appointment to verify your pregnancy test results. Some women have had positive pregnancy tests without actually being pregnant, but this is rare and pregnancy should still be considered as a possible reason.

If you’ve had sex, there is always a possibility of pregnancy. Our center can provide a free and confidential pregnancy test or retest. We can also provide or refer for an ultrasound to verify your pregnancy. Call today. We are here to help you sort through your questions confidentially.

According to WebMD the only way to know for sure if you are pregnant is “by taking a pregnancy test”

At Plant City Pregnancy Center we can give you a FREE and confidential pregnancy test. When you call for an appointment we will answer your questions and provide you with help you need every step of the way.

How Soon Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

According to Healthline, “You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result. If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait at least one or two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG. This typically takes seven to 12 days after successful implantation of an egg. You may receive an inaccurate result if the test is taken too early in your cycle.”

Should I take a home pregnancy test?

According to a healthy lifestyle article on the Mayo Clinic website, “Taking a home pregnancy test can be nerve-wracking, especially if you're not sure you can trust the results. Know when and how to take a home pregnancy test — as well as some of the possible pitfalls of home testing.”

If you are not sure when the best time is to take the home pregnancy test and take the test too early, check the test results too soon, use diluted urine or have been taking fertility drugs or medications containing HCG, there is a chance the results will be inaccurate.

All over the counter tests recommend if you think you are pregnant you should contact your healthcare provider. That is where Plant City Pregnancy Center comes in. We can help you confirm your pregnancy and discuss your options for the future.

How do pregnancy tests work?

There are two basic kinds of pregnancy tests, the first uses urine and can be purchased over the counter, and the second test uses a blood sample and is administered in a doctor’s office or clinic. Both tests measure the level of the hormone hGC, human chorionic gonadotropin that indicates a pregnancy.

According to Medicinet.com, “hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about six days after the egg and sperm merge. But studies show that in up to 10 percent of women, implantation does not occur until much later, after the first day of the missed period. The amount of hCG rapidly builds up in your body with each passing day you are pregnant.”

Clinical pregnancy tests are more accurate than over the counter home tests.

The primary reason a clinical pregnancy test is more accurate than an over the counter home test is the experience and frequency in which the clinic administers tests. At Plant City Pregnancy Center we have given thousands of tests and are constantly updating our kits for optimum freshness and accuracy.

There are many variables that lead to inaccurate readings from a home test. At Plant City Pregnancy Center we do our best to eliminate those variables so you know for sure whether or not you are pregnant.

[1]Contraception Options and Effectiveness. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Website: https://www.hhs.gov/opa/performance-measures/contraceptive-options-and-effectiveness-text-only/index.html. Published May 2, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2020.

[2]“Symptoms of Pregnancy: What Happens First” Mayo Clinic, last modified May 11, 2019, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853.

[3]“Symptoms of Pregnancy: What Happens First” Mayo Clinic, last modified May 11, 2019, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853.

[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/basics/healthy-pregnancy/hlv-20049471. Retrieved May 25, 2022.

[5] https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/index.html. Retrieved May 25, 2022.

[6] https://health.ucsd.edu/news/features/pages/2016-01-05-36-pregnancy-tips-listicle.aspx. Retrieved May 25, 2022.