A pregnancy test is a test that measures the presence of hCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy, in blood or urine to determine if a woman is pregnant. Pregnancy tests are performed using a sample of blood or urine.

Pregnancy tests look for the hCG hormone in blood or urine. hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, begins to be produced in the body approximately 6 days after fertilization. This hormone is only released if a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. If hCG is detected in the blood or urine and the test result is positive, it means the woman taking the test is pregnant.

The most common type of pregnancy test is the home urine test. Home pregnancy tests are over 99% accurate when used correctly. These tests are available over-the-counter at various price points. Another method of testing for pregnancy is a blood test. Blood tests are performed in a doctor's office and involve taking a blood sample. Ultrasound is another way to confirm pregnancy and is also performed by a doctor in a medical setting.