How early can I have a pregnancy test?

At Taylor Pregnancy Resource Center, our pregnancy tests can detect results as soon as 7 to 10 days after conception, which is even before a missed period. When a woman is pregnant, her body produces a hormone called HCG, which is found in her urine and in her blood. A pregnancy test yields a positive result when this hormone is present. We offer free and confidential urine pregnancy tests that are 99% accurate as soon as 7 to 10 days after conception. After a positive test result, see your doctor for confirmation of pregnancy.

What are some symptoms of pregnancy?

The first sign of pregnancy is often a missed menstrual period. Other symptoms may include nausea or vomiting, fatigue, tender or swollen breasts, frequent urination, frequent headaches, backaches, food cravings, appetite changes, and a weight gain or loss. Symptoms alone, however, cannot confirm a pregnancy. Some women do not experience any symptoms, yet their test is positive. On the other hand, some women experience many symptoms but have a negative test result. Please keep in mind that sometimes the stress of suspecting you are pregnant can cause pregnancy-related symptoms. If you have exhibited any of these symptoms or if you think you might be pregnant, call Taylor Pregnancy Resource Center to schedule an appointment for a free and confidential pregnancy test.

What should I know about fetal development?

Recent scientific advances have allowed us to know in great detail how the unborn baby looks, acts, and grows. At conception, the egg is fertilized by a sperm and they form one cell smaller than a grain of salt. This one cell contains the plans for every detail of the baby's development, including sex, hair and eye color, height, and skin tone. On day 21, the baby's heart begins to beat. By week 3, the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system develop. During the second month, all body systems are present. The lungs are forming, brain waves are recorded, muscles work together, and reflexes are present. The baby begins to respond to touch, can feel pain, and can move, kick, swim, jump, and stretch. The development during the third month shows the lung and brain growth largely completed. The baby can hear, suck her thumb, and her fingers can grasp objects. Her fingerprints are already evident. The baby can even wrinkle her forehead! By the tenth week, the body is complete. Changes after this are primarily in size, rather than appearance. By the end of the fourth month, the baby is 8 to 10 inches long and weight a half-pound or more. Her heart pumps 16 gallons of blood every day and her mother can now feel her moving. During the fifth and sixth months, the baby grows to be about 12 inches long and has a chance to survive outside the womb. Months 7, 8 and 9 bring much more development. The baby uses the four senses of vision, hearing, taste, and touch. She can recognize her mother's voice. Her skin begins to thicken with a layer of fat stored underneath for insulation and nourishment. By the end of the ninth month, the baby normally weighs 6 to 9 pounds and is now ready for birth.

What do I need to know about prenatal care?

After you've had a positive result, it is important to schedule your first prenatal exam. At your initial visit, the following is what may take place: confirmation of pregnancy, a physical exam and health history, a determination of your due date, a pelvic exam, a complete urinalysis and a blood test. You should have an exam once a month through your sixth month. In the seventh and eighth months, you will probably be examined every other week, then every week during your ninth month. These visits should provide you with time to ask questions and get to know the doctor who will be assisting you in labor and birth. At each appointment, you will be checked to make sure that everything is normal for both you and your baby. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: persistent abdominal pain or cramping, vaginal bleeding, constant severe headaches, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, a gush or leaking of fluid from the vagina, or excessive swelling of the hands or face. During your pregnancy, it is important to exercise, eat a balanced and nutritious diet, and avoid substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Ask your doctor about over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners.