Pregnancy Testing
If you have had unprotected (or even protected) sex or have missed your period and think you might be pregnant, we are your best first step. San Antonio Pregnancy Care Center can provide you with on-site pregnancy testing services at no cost to you. To get started, call or text us at 210.614.4124.
Q: When is the Best Time to take a Pregnancy Test?
Some pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken between 21 and 24 days after the 1st day of your last period.
We believe it is best to wait until after you have missed a period before taking a pregnancy test. The most effective time to take a pregnancy test is when you are two weeks late for your period. That is when pregnancy tests are 90% accurate.
Q: How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
A pregnancy test detects the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) found in pregnant women’s urine. If hCG is not detected, it’s too early to test or you are not pregnant.
One of our compassionate staff members will administer the test and discuss your results with you immediately following.
Q: If I am Pregnant, What Should I Do Next?
If you are sexually active, you might be at risk for an STI. If left untreated, this type of infection can cause serious harm to you and your pregnancy. If you qualify after a positive pregnancy test, we offer no cost STI testing services for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
We also have referrals for any other testing you might need.
Additionally, we will provide information on all your options and answer questions on abortion, adoption and parenting. If you test positive for pregnancy at our center, we can also perform an ultrasound on-site at no cost.
Ultrasounds
Once you have taken a positive pregnancy test at San Antonio Pregnancy Care Center, your next best step is to receive a limited obstetric ultrasound. An ultrasound can confirm whether you have a viable (developing) pregnancy, the location of the pregnancy to rule out ectopic pregnancy (see questions below) and the gestational date (how far along you are). If you want an abortion, you’ll need an ultrasound to know how far along you are to determine which type of procedure you can have.
What Does Ultrasound Do?
There’s so much more to know about your pregnancy that only an ultrasound can reveal.
An ultrasound is an imaging procedure using echoes from high-frequency sound waves to reveal the contents of your uterus. An image forms on a computer screen from the echoes of the sound waves, and our sonographers can observe those images and explain what they’re seeing.
Our doctor looks at the images at a later time and reports back important information to you through our licensed medical staff.
Why Do I need an Ultrasound?
While a positive pregnancy test can indicate pregnancy, the only way to confirm if your pregnancy is viable and is located in the uterus is through an ultrasound. This information is imperative to the decision-making process, no matter what options you’re considering.
Ultrasound answers these critical questions:
- Is my pregnancy viable (growing with a detectable fetal heartbeat)?
- How far along am I? Ultrasound can closely date your pregnancy to determine how many days or weeks you’ve been pregnant.
- Is my pregnancy located in the correct place? Some pregnancies implant in the wrong area. This type of pregnancy is called ectopic and may be life threatening.
Additionally, this procedure can expose the possibility that you may or already have miscarried. Experts say up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage.
Limited STI Testing
If you are sexually active, it’s possible you could have an STI (sexually transmitted infection). If left untreated, STI’s can cause severe damage to your body. You don’t have to have any symptoms to be contagious; you can spread or contract the disease without even knowing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 5 people (nearly 68 million) has an STI.
The 2 most common STI’s are chlamydia and gonorrhea. We may offer limited, no-cost STI testing for qualifying clients with a positive pregnancy test. We can refer for additional STD/STI testing, if you are interested.
How Can I Get An STI?
You can contract an STI through any type of sexual activity, such as vaginal, anal and oral sex and genital touching. According to the Mayo Clinic, bacteria, viruses or parasites that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person to person in blood, semen or vagina and other bodily fluids.
Condoms are not 100% effective. Some sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) can be transmitted by contact with the skin in areas not covered by a condom.
Can I Be Pregnant and Have An STD (sexually transmitted disease)?
Unfortunately, you can be pregnant and have an STD at the same time. In fact, having an untreated STD while pregnant can cause serious harm to you and to your pregnancy.
If you’ve had unprotected sex with a high-risk sexual partner or shared needles, it’s important that you get tested immediately.
Pregnancy Consultations
Women need to be informed on all of their pregnancy options. When a woman is facing an unexpected pregnancy, it is very important that she receive accurate information in a safe environment. We are here to answer your questions and direct you to the appropriate resources.
Adoption Referrals
Adoption can be difficult and emotionally challenging and can seem confusing, but it can be a great option for women facing an unplanned pregnancy.
When you set up an appointment with us, we will take you through our process and answer any questions you may have. If you want to learn more about adoption, we will provide you with contact information for reputable adoption agencies
Community Assistance Referrals
We understand that often there is more than parenting resources that you need. We work with other local organizations to provide you with the community and financial resources that can guide you into a stable future.
