Laura Burkart of Lafayette found out Tuesday -- thanks to a free pregnancy test at Riggs Community Health Center -- that she's pregnant. "I think it's awesome, and it's convenient," the 31-year-old said of the free test. "If it was only on Friday like it used to be, it would be completely impossible."

This week, the health center near St. Elizabeth Central began offering free pregnancy tests five days a week. Up until now, tests were only available on Fridays. "We wanted to expand that service so everyone who needs that test could get it on a daily basis," said Julie Barton, vice president of clinical services for Riggs.

She said the health center also wanted to help women start receiving their prenatal care sooner. The center requires documentation of a positive pregnancy test before patients can start receiving prenatal care, she said.

Sue Guastella, adult and prenatal nursing manager for the Riggs clinic, said having prenatal care during the first trimester allows patients to experience better outcomes for the baby, and screenings can catch health problems earlier.

"It benefits the mother and the baby in the long run," she said.

Barton said the clinic would like all the patients to start receiving their prenatal care during their first trimester of pregnancy. However, as of last year, more than half of pregnant patients at the clinic were starting prenatal care no sooner than their second trimester, Guastella said.

Barton said it can be challenging for patients to find a place where they can have a pregnancy test done affordably. That can delay the start of their prenatal care if they are indeed pregnant.

"The ultimate goal is to take the best care of patients that we can," she said.