Urine vs. Blood Pregnancy Tests

Generally speaking, there are two types of pregnancy tests. One pregnancy test tests your blood for the pregnancy hormone, hCG. The other checks your urine for the same hormone. Commonly women first learn of their pregnancy by conducting a home pregnancy test (HPT). However, for a blood pregnancy test, a visit to your doctor is required.

Home pregnancy tests are inexpensive, private, and simple to use with the ability to detect the pregnancy hormone about 2 weeks after ovulation has occured. Some more sensitive urine tests make a claim to detecting the pregnancy hormone as early as one day after your first missed period.

At a doctors office, there are two types of pregnancy tests used. The first tests blood for the human chorionic gonadotropin (hcG) pregnancy hormone and can detect this hormone earlier than a urine home pregnancy test, typically 6 to 8 days after ovulation.

The second test used, a quantitiative blood test (or beta hCG test) only measure the exact amount of hcG present in your blood, detecting even the smallest amount of hormone present in your blood. For this reason, the quantitive blood test is the most accurate by detecting if the hCG hormone is present or not. The result is a simple yes or no answer.

If you conduct a home pregnancy test and discover a positive result, contact your doctor right away for an appointment. Your doctor will confirm your pregnancy with a more sensitive pregnancy test along with a pelvic exam. Remember, seeing your doctor early in your pregnancy will help you and your baby remain healthy.