Your Body May Be Giving You Clues
A missed period is one of the most common early signs of pregnancy, but it is not the only change you may notice.
Other early pregnancy symptoms can include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tender or swollen breasts
- Unusual fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Changes in appetite or sensitivity to smells
- Feeling bloated
- Light spotting or cramping
Some women notice several symptoms, while others notice very few. Stress, illness, hormonal changes, weight changes, and other health conditions can also affect your cycle or cause similar symptoms.
These signs may tell you that it is time to test, but they cannot tell you why your period is late.
When Is the Right Time to Test?
After a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, cells that develop into the placenta begin producing human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. Because the hormone needs time to rise, testing too early can produce a false-negative result.
A false negative means the test is negative even though pregnancy has begun because there is not yet enough hCG for the test to detect.
Testing after a missed period generally gives hCG more time to become detectable. Consider taking a test if:
- Your period is late or missing
- You are experiencing possible pregnancy symptoms
- Birth control failed or was not used
- A pregnancy test result was unclear
- A home test was negative, but your period still has not begun
Home Test Left You Unsure?
Home pregnancy tests can be accurate when used at the right time and according to the instructions. Results may be affected by:
- Testing too early
- Using an expired test
- Reading the result too soon or too late
- Using diluted urine
- Not following every step correctly
If your result was unclear or you would like it reviewed in a medical setting, visit the Pregnancy Testing page to learn about Cove Care’s test and what happens during an appointment.
What Happens at Cove Care?
Your appointment begins with a conversation about your cycle, symptoms, pregnancy timing, and relevant medical history. You will provide a urine sample, and a registered nurse will administer the pregnancy test.
Your nurse will explain whether hCG was detected and what the result can and cannot tell you. Your appointment and test result are confidential within the limits of the law.
No insurance is required, and there is no cost for the appointment.
If Your Result Is Positive
A positive result may answer your first question while raising several new ones.
Depending on pregnancy timing and medical qualifications, you may qualify for a confirmation ultrasound. Visit the Ultrasounds page to learn what happens during the scan and why it may be recommended.
Before considering your next step, Cove Care can also provide factual information about parenting, adoption, and abortion procedures and risks.
If Your Result Is Negative
A negative result means hCG was not detected at the time of testing. If your period has not yet begun, the timing of the test may have affected the result.
The nurse may recommend testing again after several days or about a week. Following up with another healthcare provider may also be appropriate if your symptoms persist or your cycles become irregular.
A negative pregnancy test cannot explain why your period is late.
When Symptoms Require Medical Care
Severe or one-sided abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, fainting, or unusual bleeding can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy or another urgent condition.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if you experience these symptoms. Cove Care is not an emergency medical facility.
An ultrasound at Cove Care may provide information about pregnancy location, but it does not replace the blood tests, imaging, and medical evaluation needed to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.
Let the Test Answer the First Question
A late period can have more than one explanation. Schedule a no-cost pregnancy test and have a registered nurse review the result with you.