Pregnancy testing

How do pregnancy tests work?

Pregnancy tests provide an easy and accurate way to find out if you’re pregnant.

Pregnancy tests work by checking your urine for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Your body only makes this hormone if you’re pregnant. After taking a test the result will either be:

• Negative: you’re not pregnant. If your test is negative, but your period is late or you have pregnancy symptoms, you need to repeat the test after a week.
• Positive: you're pregnant. Other people can help you make a decision by explaining your choices but in the end you must decide what you want. 

A pregnancy test will be less accurate if it’s expired or if you have not used it the right way. So always check the expiration date on the package, and carefully read the directions that come with your pregnancy test.