At-home tests are pretty accurate, but they’re not perfect. Pregnancy test manufacturers claim their tests are 98-99% accurate when used exactly as directed. However, even if you’re sure you performed your at-home test accurately, you should still get confirmation from a medical professional.
Dr. Jaxel Lopez-Sepulveda provides comprehensive women’s health services in Irving, Texas, at Clinica Tu Salud. He and his team confirm pregnancy test results and offer recommendations for maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
There are so many reasons to visit Clinica Tu Salud after taking a positive pregnancy test, including:
Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda can rule out false-positive or negative home pregnancy test results with blood work or an ultrasound. While at-home pregnancy tests are highly accurate, they’re not perfect, and timing is critical to ensure their accuracy.
Blood tests detect pregnancy earlier than home pregnancy tests and offer information about the specific amount of the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone, the pregnancy hormone, within your body. An ultrasound is another confirmation method, allowing visual confirmation that your pregnancy is viable and your baby has a healthy heartbeat.
Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda determines if your pregnancy is progressing normally. He may use lab tests or other diagnostic tests to screen for conditions that could affect your or your baby’s health.
Examples include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, nutrient deficiencies, thyroid diseases, other hormone problems, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and more. Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda can also screen for an ectopic pregnancy and other potential issues.
Confirming your pregnancy with an ultrasound determines how many heartbeats Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda detects. This lets you know if you’re having just one baby, twins, or more than two babies at once. He also establishes if your pregnancy is classified as low- or high-risk to determine the course of your prenatal care plan.
Detecting health problems before they cause complications during pregnancy is highly beneficial. For example, if you have thyroid disease, high blood pressure, or high blood sugar, Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda can help you manage these conditions during and after your pregnancy, minimizing the risk of fetal health problems and other pregnancy complications.
Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda offers education and guidance about ways to maximize your chances of a healthy pregnancy. He provides advice about nutrition, exercise, prenatal supplements, sleep, stress management, and more, and is always available to address your questions or concerns.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda at Clinica Tu Salud as soon as you suspect you’re pregnant or have taken a positive pregnancy test at home.
The number of prenatal visits you’ll need depends on whether you have a health condition requiring more frequent medical monitoring. Women generally need to see their provider every four weeks during the first trimester, followed by visits every two weeks and then weekly as they approach their due dates.
Contact Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda if you experience new or unusual symptoms or have questions throughout your pregnancy.
Schedule a pregnancy confirmation appointment at Clinica Tu Salud by contacting us today by phone or online.
