{"id":1475,"date":"2025-06-23T23:18:36","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T22:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/?p=1475"},"modified":"2025-06-23T23:18:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T22:18:40","slug":"pregnancy-test-vs-pregnancy-scan-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/pregnancy-test-vs-pregnancy-scan-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy Test vs. Pregnancy Scan: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When you suspect you might be pregnant or have just confirmed it, the next step is often deciding what kind of test or scan you need. While both pregnancy tests and pregnancy scans are used during pregnancy, they serve different purposes and are done at different stages. Here&#8217;s what you need to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a Pregnancy Test?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>pregnancy test<\/strong> is usually the <strong>first step<\/strong> in confirming pregnancy. It checks for the presence of a hormone called <strong>human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)<\/strong> in your urine or blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Pregnancy Tests:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Urine Test (Home or Clinic):<\/strong> The common stick test. You pee on it, and it detects hCG.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blood Test (Clinic):<\/strong> Done in a lab. It can detect pregnancy earlier and with more accuracy than urine tests.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to Take a Pregnancy Test:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>From the <strong>first day of your missed period<\/strong>, or at least <strong>2 weeks after unprotected sex<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What it Tells You:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Yes or No<\/strong> \u2013 whether you&#8217;re pregnant or not.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a Pregnancy Scan?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>pregnancy scan<\/strong>, also known as an <strong>obstetric ultrasound<\/strong> scan, is an imaging test that uses <strong>sound waves<\/strong> to create pictures of the growing baby inside your womb. It\u2019s <strong>non-invasive<\/strong> and safe for both mother and baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Pregnancy Scans:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Early Viability Scan (2 to 3 weeks after missing the menses ):<\/strong> Confirms baby\u2019s heartbeat, number of babies, and location of pregnancy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dating Scan (10\u201314 weeks):<\/strong> Estimates due date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anomaly Scan (18\u201322 weeks):<\/strong> Checks baby\u2019s development and major organs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Growth Scan (third trimester):<\/strong> Checks baby\u2019s size, position, and well-being.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What it Tells You:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirms a <strong>normal pregnancy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shows <strong>baby\u2019s heartbeat<\/strong>, development, and position.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Detects <strong>problems early<\/strong> like <a href=\"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/2023\/09\/09\/ectopic-pregnancy-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"244\">ectopic<\/a> pregnancy, <a href=\"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/2023\/09\/09\/understanding-miscarriage-causes-types-symptoms-and-coping\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"231\">miscarriage<\/a>, or multiple pregnancy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd0d Key Differences at a Glance:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Feature<\/th><th><strong>Pregnancy Test<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Pregnancy Scan<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>When done<\/strong><\/td><td>As early as 1\u20132 weeks after conception<\/td><td>2 weeks after missing the menses and throughout pregnancy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Method<\/strong><\/td><td>Urine or blood test<\/td><td>Ultrasound (pelvic  or <a href=\"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/2024\/06\/22\/is-a-transvaginal-scan-painful\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"769\">transvaginal<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>What it detects<\/strong><\/td><td>hCG hormone in the body<\/td><td>Physical image of baby and womb<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Purpose<\/strong><\/td><td>To confirm pregnancy<\/td><td>To monitor the health and progress of pregnancy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Available at<\/strong><\/td><td>Pharmacy, home, clinic<\/td><td>Hospitals, clinics, scan centers<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In simple terms, <strong>a pregnancy test tells you <em>if<\/em> you\u2019re pregnant<\/strong>, while <strong>a pregnancy scan shows you <em>what\u2019s going on<\/em> inside your womb<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At <strong>Mascot Healthcare<\/strong>, we offer both <strong>pregnancy tests<\/strong> and <strong>ultrasound scans<\/strong> to help you start your journey into motherhood confidently. Whether you want to confirm a pregnancy or check on your baby&#8217;s development, our trained professionals are here to support you every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <strong>Walk in today or click the WhatsApp button to book your pregnancy scan or test. No stress, no waiting; just care.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you suspect you might be pregnant or have just confirmed it, the next step is often deciding what kind of test or scan you need. While both pregnancy tests and pregnancy scans are used during pregnancy, they serve different purposes and are done at different stages. Here&#8217;s what you need to know: What is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":909,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,35],"tags":[89,81,327,146,60],"class_list":["post-1475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellness-and-health","category-womens-health","tag-fertility","tag-pregnancy","tag-scan","tag-ultrasound","tag-women"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive-150x150.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive-300x100.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg","large":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"mascothealthcare","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e6245491479ada5c011d746103e188e52935679f353558c771f24bdf2eb1c016?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":false,"magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"When you suspect you might be pregnant or have just confirmed it, the next step is often deciding what kind of test or scan you need. While both pregnancy tests and pregnancy scans are used during pregnancy, they serve different purposes and are done at different stages. Here&#8217;s what you need to know: What is [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["Wellness and Health","Women's Health"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":973,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":3,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg",640,214,false],"medium":["https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive-300x100.jpg",300,100,true],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive-150x150.jpg",150,150,true]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"mascothealthcare","author_link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/author\/mascothealthcare\/"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e6245491479ada5c011d746103e188e52935679f353558c771f24bdf2eb1c016?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/wellness-and-health\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Wellness and Health<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/womens-health\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Women's Health<\/a>","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":915,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/difference-between-urine-pregnancy-test-and-blood-pregnancy-test\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":0},"title":"Difference Between Urine Pregnancy Test and Blood Pregnancy Test","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"December 18, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"When confirming pregnancy, urine pregnancy tests and blood pregnancy tests are the two options. While both tests detect the pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), their methods, accuracy, and use cases vary. Urine Pregnancy Tests Urine pregnancy tests are the most common and accessible option. These are available over-the-counter\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Wellness and Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Wellness and Health","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/wellness-and-health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":908,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/why-a-pregnancy-test-may-still-be-positive-after-an-abortion-or-miscarriage\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":1},"title":"Why a Pregnancy Test May Still Be Positive After an Abortion or Miscarriage","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"February 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Why a Pregnancy Test May Still Be Positive After an Abortion or Miscarriage A positive pregnancy test after an abortion or miscarriage can be confusing and emotionally challenging. However, it is not uncommon, and understanding the reasons behind this can provide clarity and reassurance. 1. Presence of hCG Hormone Pregnancy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Women's Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Women's Health","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/womens-health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pregnancy_Test_Positive.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1546,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/what-is-a-chemical-pregnancy-and-how-do-i-know-i-dont-have-one\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":2},"title":"What Is a Chemical Pregnancy \u2013 And How Do I Know I Don\u2019t Have One?","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"July 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"A chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage that happens shortly after implantation. It usually occurs before the fifth week of pregnancy\u2014often before you even realize you\u2019re pregnant. This can be a confusing and emotional experience, especially for women trying to conceive. In this post, we\u2019ll break down what a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Women's Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Women's Health","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/womens-health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pregnancy_test_series_starting_to_show_positive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pregnancy_test_series_starting_to_show_positive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pregnancy_test_series_starting_to_show_positive.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1651,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/is-there-anything-like-a-2-weeks-ultrasound-scan\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":3},"title":"Is There Anything Like a 2 Weeks Ultrasound Scan?","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"August 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"When many people suspect pregnancy or start planning conception, one of the first questions they ask is whether an ultrasound scan can be done as early as two weeks. It\u2019s a common concern, especially for those eager to confirm pregnancy quickly. Let\u2019s break this down in simple terms. Understanding the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Women's Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Women's Health","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/womens-health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Simpleicons_Business_weekly-calendar.svg_.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Simpleicons_Business_weekly-calendar.svg_.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Simpleicons_Business_weekly-calendar.svg_.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":244,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/ectopic-pregnancy-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":4},"title":"Ectopic Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"August 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"An ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg implants and begins to grow outside the womb, most commonly in the fallopian tube. This condition requires immediate medical attention as it poses serious risks to the pregnant individual. In this article, we will explore the causes,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Medical Conditions&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Medical Conditions","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/medical-conditions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Image by Freepik","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gynecologist-performing-ultrasound-consultation.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gynecologist-performing-ultrasound-consultation.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gynecologist-performing-ultrasound-consultation.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gynecologist-performing-ultrasound-consultation.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":635,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/ectopic-pregnancy-a-delicate-condition-that-demands-attention\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":5},"title":"Ectopic Pregnancy: A Delicate Condition That Demands Attention","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"March 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Pregnancy is a miraculous and often joyous journey, but there are instances when it takes an unexpected and potentially dangerous turn. One such complication is an ectopic pregnancy, a condition that occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus. In this article, we will explore ectopic pregnancy,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Medical Conditions&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Medical Conditions","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/medical-conditions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"pelvic scan","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/640px-Midwife_check-up.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/640px-Midwife_check-up.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/640px-Midwife_check-up.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1475"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1511,"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475\/revisions\/1511"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}