Pregnancy verification

There are some common signs of pregnancy, but they can be confusing and not always accurate. It is wise to verify a positive pregnancy test with an ultrasound to determine if you have a viable pregnancy.

Pregnancy Tests

Birth Choice of San Marcos provides free pregnancy tests. During a woman’s pregnancy, a woman’s body produces the hormone hCG, found in urine and blood. Pregnancy tests can detect the hCG pregnancy hormone as early as 4 days before your missed period and are 99% accurate [1]. However, even though urine pregnancy tests are very accurate, they do not measure how much hCG is present in the urine. Since approximately 30% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, it is important that every pregnancy is confirmed through ultrasound [2].

[1] Taken from product information for BFP™ Pregnancy Tests.
[2] Prine, L. W., MD, & MacNaughton, H., MD. (2011, July 1). Office Management for Early Pregnancy Loss. American Family Physician, 84(1), 75-82.

Ultrasounds

Every pregnancy should be confirmed as viable through ultrasound. Birth Choice of San Marcos offers limited ultrasounds under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician to confirm pregnancy. This service is free to clients who test positive for pregnancy and meet medical criteria to receive an ultrasound. With current sonogram technology, the ultrasound image is most clear after 6 weeks gestational age.