Am I Pregnant?
Wondering if you are pregnant? You may be experiencing a variety of emotions. These feelings may range from excitement and hope to fear, regret, and worry. All these emotions are normal. Here at Obria, we have a supportive team ready to help you confirm your pregnancy and discuss your next steps.
How to Confirm Pregnancy
Most women are anxious to take that first pregnancy test. Whether you are hoping to see the positive or negative sign, there are some important things to know before taking an at-home pregnancy test.
- According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, “The best time to take a pregnancy test is on or after the first day of a missed period.” 1 Other sources recommend waiting a week after the first day of your missed period. 3,4 This allows the hormone HCG, human chorionic gonadotropin, to develop in your body. If a pregnancy test is taken too early, it may not detect enough HCG in the urine, leading to a negative pregnancy test.” No matter when you decide to test, Obria is here with free or low cost, confidential testing.
- The most common at-home pregnancy tests include Clear Blue, First Response, Pregmate, and other non-branded tests. Look at your options and make sure to read the instructions. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “In general, the best time to take a pregnancy test is when you have your first morning pee.” 2 The HCG levels are more concentrated and make for more accurate results.
After you have a positive pregnancy test or would rather have a test done in the office, here at Obria we are ready to help you through your next steps. We will confirm your pregnancy through a urine test and schedule you for an ultrasound if medically appropriate.
Common Symptoms of Pregnancy
It is important to know the common symptoms of pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, these may be your first signs that you are pregnant.
- Missed period
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or bloating
- Food aversions
- Peeing more frequently, especially at night
- Moodiness
These are normal and common symptoms you may experience during pregnancy. But the symptoms alone do not confirm pregnancy. The best way to confirm is to take a pregnancy test either at home or in one of our Obria LA location. You can make an appointment with us online.
During your appointment, an Obria provider will go over these with you and discuss ways to manage and treat these symptoms. Remember, here at Obria, you are not alone on your pregnancy journey. We are here to support you along the way!
Next Steps
If you’re test is Positive
Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, the next step is to perform an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy. After talking with one of our staff members, we will be able to determine an estimated gestational age depending on your last menstrual period. If you are unsure about when your last period was, the provider can help determine when the ultrasound should be performed. Typically, the first ultrasound is done between 7 – 8 weeks from the last period. The ultrasound will determine if there is a heartbeat, the placement of the fetus (is it in or outside of the uterus), and give a more accurate gestational age.
Once we determine the viability and gestational age of the fetus through the initial ultrasound, the provider will discuss your next steps going forward. It can be an exciting or scary time. There are often many emotions surrounding a confirmed pregnancy. Here at Obria, we offer a safe place to express emotions and feelings and explore options depending on what you need.
If your test is Negative
It is recommended you retest for pregnancy in two weeks if you still have not had your period. If your test remains negative and you still have not had your period, we recommend you follow up with your primary care doctor for further assessment and treatment. Likely, your doctor may decide to do a blood test for pregnancy and evaluate other reasons why your period might be delayed.
Reasons for missed or delayed periods in the absence of pregnancy may include:
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
- Certain medications
- Recent use of Plan B
- Certain types of contraceptives
- Abnormal hormone levels
If you don’t have a primary care doctor, we can provide you with a list of options in the surrounding area. If you have insurance, we can give you directions on how to proceed finding a primary care doctor with the help of your insurance.
Obria LA does accept insurance. If we don’t take your insurance, or if you don’t have insurance, we offer our services on a sliding fee scale based on specific factors. No one is ever turned away due to inability to pay! We’re happy to discuss this with you over the phone. We can also refer you to clinics in the surrounding community that take your insurance or can help you apply for appropriate insurance coverage.
Whether you’re feeling nervous, scared, or excited about your pregnancy, the medical team at Obria is ready to help you! Obria is a safe, judgment free place to receive care during the early stages of pregnancy. You can request an appointment on our website or call our office at 562-902-2273. We look forward to serving and supporting you!
Appointment & Contact Info
Call us or request an appointment online today with our quick, confidential online form. We are just a call or click away.
SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT – Whittier, Pasadena, Compton – 30 second online form.
Whittier Clinic – Phone: (562) 902-2273
Pasadena Clinic – Phone: (626) 440-9400
Compton Clinic – Phone: (310) 928-7748
Citations
1 University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2023). When should I take a pregnancy test? Retrieved May 28, 2024 from https://share.upmc.com/2023/01/when-to-take-a-pregnancy-test/
2 Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Pregnancy Tests. Retrieved May 28, 2024 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9703-pregnancy-tests
3 Better Health (2022). Pregnancy – signs and symptoms. Retrieved May 28, 2024 from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-signs-and-symptoms
4 American Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). Early Signs of Pregnancy. Retrieved May 28, 2024 from https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-symptoms/early-signs-of-pregnancy/