How can pregnancy be confirmed?

Question

Hello doctor,

I took a home pregnancy test using a rapid test kit, and the result came back positive. What test should I take next to confirm my pregnancy?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Since you have tested positive twice with a home pregnancy test, you are likely pregnant. To confirm your pregnancy, you can take a few different tests. A blood pregnancy test, such as the Beta-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) test, is more accurate. This test measures the exact pregnancy hormone level in your blood and can help determine how far along you are. Another option is the hCG qualitative test, which simply confirms whether the pregnancy hormone is present or not. An ultrasound scan can also confirm the pregnancy in the uterus and show if the baby is developing. A transvaginal ultrasound (around five to six weeks) can detect early signs of pregnancy, while a pelvic ultrasound (around six to eight weeks) can check for a heartbeat and estimate the baby's age. The next step would be to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist for a blood test. If the test confirms pregnancy, plan for an early ultrasound to check the baby's development. You should also begin prenatal care, including taking folic acid and making necessary lifestyle changes.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.