Free Pregnancy Testing Services
If you think there’s a chance you could be pregnant, you’re probably worrying about what to do – and whether you need to take a pregnancy test. Swing by our office for a free and confidential pregnancy test. We accept walk-ins, but to avoid waiting, we recommend calling ahead (530.727.9888) to schedule an appointment.
Since LifeNet is not a licensed medical clinic, a member of our staff will guide you through the process of self-administering the pregnancy test. Your client advocate will instruct you on how to perform the test and read the results.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
Pregnancy tests measure the levels of HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, present in your bloodstream or urine. HCG is a hormone that is only produced by women when they are pregnant and builds up in their bodies over time. Urine-based pregnancy tests display a positive result if HCG is detected.
Our pregnancy tests are highly sensitive, medical-grade tests that provide immediate results.
When To Take A Pregnancy Test
Most doctors recommend you wait until the first day of your missed period before taking a urine pregnancy test. Most pregnancy tests aren’t accurate until ten days after fertilization, as it gives your body time to build up a high enough level of HCG to be detected. Before ten days, the levels of HCG in your body are often too low for the test to detect them accurately.
What If I’ve Already Taken a Home Pregnancy Test?
At-home pregnancy tests are generally accurate if taken correctly. Most inaccurate test results are because of a mistake performing the test, not a problem with the test itself.
When taken correctly, a urine-based pregnancy test is over 99% accurate in determining pregnancy. However, pregnancy tests can give you inaccurate results if you:
- Take the test too early.
- Take the test while using certain medications, such as fertility medications.
- Drink too much fluid before taking the test (this can dilute your urine, which lowers the concentration of HCG for the test to detect).
- Use an expired pregnancy test.
- Don’t follow the instructions correctly.
To get an accurate test result, come to LifeNet for thorough instructions.
What Do I Do Next?
If you suspect you’re pregnant and unsure what your next steps should be, we can help. Receive free pregnancy testing, pregnancy options counseling, parenting classes, community referrals and resources, and more. Call LifeNet today at 530.727.9888 to schedule your appointment. We’re here to support you every step of the way.