TBH Medical is a direct primary care (DPC) provider in Colorado Springs, CO. Aja Hardesty, MSN, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, is a double board-certified Nurse Practitioner in Colorado Springs with 15+ years of emergency room, urgent care, and primary care experience. With direct primary care, you skip the hassles of insurance and pay a low-cost monthly membership fee to have faster and more personalized access to essential primary care services – Same-Day or Next-Day Appointments – No Copays. No Deductibles. No Surprise Bills – Clear Upfront Pricing and Great Personalized Care!
Direct Primary Care is a great option if you don’t currently have medical coverage or wish to pair it with a high-deductible plan or a military plan. And you’ll definitely enjoy the much shorter wait times to be seen!
We want your urine pregnancy test to be as simple and quick as possible for you.
A urine pregnancy test measures the level of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. hCG is produced soon after a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Urine pregnancy tests utilize hCG-specific antibodies to provide a reaction in the presence of this hormone.
When used correctly, urine pregnancy tests are generally accurate. Urine pregnancy tests are 99% accurate when performed after a woman has missed a period.
Urine pregnancy tests are most likely to be accurate when performed on the first day of a missed period. Urine pregnancy tests performed earlier than one day after a missed period could be falsely negative due to the low level of hCG that may be present in the blood or urine. A false negative will indicate that a woman is not pregnant when she may indeed be pregnant.
Most common medications and vitamins (such as antibiotics and birth control pills) do not affect urine pregnancy tests. However, fertility drugs that contain hCG may affect a urine pregnancy test result and produce a false positive result. Certain medical conditions, such as rare cases of ovarian cysts or cancer, may also affect pregnancy test results.
The test procedure varies for each brand. Usually, the user either holds the test’s absorbent tip in the urine stream or dips it into urine collected in a clean cup, then lays the test flat on a clean surface. It is crucial to check the specific testing instructions. The test needs to remain dry until the testing instructions are completed.
The level of hCG in the urine is usually higher in the morning than at other times of the day. It is recommended to test with the first urine of the morning, as hCG will be most concentrated. If a woman is testing early, it is especially important that she uses morning urine. If a urine test is done later during the day, she should avoid excessive fluid consumption because this can dilute the urine and cause the urine pregnancy test to be falsely negative.
Most urine pregnancy tests provide results in three to five minutes. Urine pregnancy tests should always be read at the time specified in the test instructions. Waiting too long to read the test can result in an evaporation line, which may look like a faint positive but is actually invalid.
There is a control line and a test line for a positive test. The control line simply indicates the test is working; you should see a second line, no matter how faint, for a positive result. A negative result will have a control line and no test line; an invalid test will have no lines and should be discarded.
If you receive a positive urine pregnancy test result, your provider can confirm pregnancy and guide you through pregnancy options. At TBH Medical, your NP will take you through the early stages of pregnancy and help you develop a health plan. Medical guidance is very important in the early stages of pregnancy to ensure the healthiest path to a safe pregnancy.
A negative result can mean your urine pregnancy test was too early. Please wait a few days, then test again with your first urine of the morning. If it’s negative but you still haven’t received a period, call TBH Medical, and we can evaluate your symptoms.
False positive urine pregnancy test results are rare. However, it can be caused by:
False negative pregnancy test results are common if the test is taken too early, your urine is too diluted, or the instructions aren’t followed correctly. If you’re worried, you can have a blood test done in our office to determine if you’re actually pregnant.
Most urine pregnancy tests are reliable a week after the missed period. At this point in time, hCG levels should be detectable by most urine tests. If the result was negative on the day of the missed period, it is prudent to wait a couple of days and repeat the test.
You can pick up over-the-counter urine pregnancy tests at the pharmacy, grocery, or big-box stores in Colorado Springs, CO. Clinical testing is also available at a physician’s office (like TBH Medical) for fast, reliable results while you are seen.
Yes, we offer urine pregnancy testing at our office. You can speak to your NP and have the pregnancy test done with you. If the results are positive, your NP can help you develop a pregnancy health plan immediately.
Urine pregnancy testing performed in our office is typically included in your TBH Medical membership fee.
If you have irregular periods and you cannot count how many days it has been since your last sexual encounter, we suggest you wait at least 21 days after your last episode of sexual intercourse before you perform the test. If you continue to feel unsure, please make an appointment with us so we can determine the best course of action.
If you receive a positive test from a home pregnancy test, or if you continue to have consecutive negative tests but have not received a period, we recommend that you see your provider immediately.
We also offer quantitative hCG blood tests to measure specific hCG levels, in addition to the testing described above. We also provide initial physical exams, health counseling, and referrals to local medical practices as necessary.
Urine tests generally will return a positive result because there is still hCG present in the body, but the test does not distinguish whether or not the pregnancy is an ectopic one. If you do have severe abdominal cramping or unusual bleeding, please call our office immediately for an appointment.
Tests from home and TBH Medical both detect hCG in the urine. However, the tests that we have in our practice can be:
It is not uncommon to experience cramping or light bleeding when you are first pregnant. However, moderate to severe bleeding and/or cramping warrant an immediate call to our practice or the ER. This may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy or even a miscarriage. Please call TBH Medical or the nearest emergency room.