Get a Result You Can Count On
When you need to know whether you are pregnant, accuracy matters. Home tests are convenient, but they come with certain limitations.
Taking one too early, misreading the result, or using a test that has been sitting in a cabinet for too long can all produce unreliable information at a moment when you need to be sure.
Carlisle Area Family Life Center provides free, medical-grade urine pregnancy testing in a confidential setting.
Early Signs of Pregnancy
A missed period is often the first sign that something has changed, but it is not the only one. Early pregnancy symptoms can also include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Light spotting or cramping
- Food aversions or cravings
- Mood changes
Every woman is different, and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Some women have several of these signs early on, while others have very few. The only way to know for certain is to take a test.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. Your body begins producing hCG after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, and levels increase as the pregnancy develops.
Testing too soon after a missed period can return a negative result even if you are pregnant, simply because hCG has not yet reached a detectable level. Our staff can discuss timing and whether a follow-up test might be helpful.
You will receive your results during your visit. They will be reviewed one-on-one with a staff member.
Your Confirmation of Pregnancy
Our nurse can give you documentation of your pregnancy, and the document you need depends on where you are in the process.
After a positive pregnancy test, our nurse can provide a Confirmation of Positive Pregnancy Test.
After a limited ultrasound, our nurse can provide a Proof of Pregnancy that lists your estimated due date.
That due date matters. In Pennsylvania, applying for Medical Assistance requires a document that shows an estimated due date, so the Proof of Pregnancy from your ultrasound is the one that counts. A positive test confirmation does not include a due date, which means it does not work for Medical Assistance or Cash Assistance.
You also do not need our paperwork to start WIC. You can self-refer and get going on your own.
After a Positive Result
A positive test answers one question but raises several more. An ultrasound is the recommended next step. It can confirm how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is in the uterus, and whether it is progressing, all essential information before making any decisions about your pregnancy.
Limited OB ultrasound appointments are available at our center. Our staff will help you schedule an appointment after you receive a positive pregnancy test.
Come In or Give Us a Call
Pregnancy testing is available on a walk-in basis; no appointment is needed. Stop by during our office hours or call to ask any questions before you come in. You can also schedule an appointment online.
Our staff is here and ready to help.
