Use a Home Pregnancy Test

Home pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in a woman's urine. Known as the pregnancy hormone, hCG is only found in pregnant women. Home pregnancy tests are available at most drug stores and online. Read on for a step-by-step guide to using home pregnancy tests.

Steps

Before Taking the Test

  1. Purchase a home pregnancy test. There are many different brands of home pregnancy tests on the market, but it doesn't really matter which you choose. All home pregnancy tests work the same way - by detecting levels of the hormone hCG in your urine. When purchasing a pregnancy test, check the expiration date on the box and ensure the box is fully intact, with no wear and tear, as this could affect your result. Think about getting a brand that provides two test sticks in the box, especially if you're planning on testing early. This way you can wait a week before trying again, if you get a negative result first time round.[1]
    • Some experts advocate buying a pregnancy test from a large store that has a high turnover so that you are more likely to get a newer pregnancy test, rather than one that has been sitting on a shelf for months. Similarly, if you've had a pregnancy test lying around at home for several months, consider throwing it out and getting a new one, especially if you've been storing it somewhere warm or prone to dampness, as this can affect the results of the test.[1]
    • Some brands claim that they can accurately detect pregnancy on the day of your missed period or even earlier. While it's true that the the tests may be sensitive enough to pick up on higher hCG levels in your urine, it may be too early in your pregnancy for your body to actually produce higher levels of hCG. In this case, you run the risk of getting a negative result, even though you might indeed by pregnant.[1]
    • Many of the generic brand drugstore pregnancy tests are actually produced in the same factories as the big name brands, and use the same technology. So don't worry about the quality of the generic brands if you're trying to save some dollars.[2]
  2. Figure out when to take the test. Most experts advise that you should wait at least one day after your missed period before taking a home pregnancy test, though waiting a week is considered best. This can be tough when you are anxious to find out if you're pregnant, but waiting allows for a higher degree of accuracy when taking the test, as hCG levels rise rapidly in pregnant women.[3]
    • hCG develops in a woman's body only after a fertilized egg implants in her uterus. Implantation of the fertilized egg typically occurs on or around the 6th day after the sperm and egg have merged. This is why home pregnancy tests won't pick up on any hCG if you take the test too early, even if you are pregnant.[4]
    • It's best to do the home pregnancy test first thing in the morning, when your urine is most concentrated and hCG levels are highest.[1]
  3. Read the instructions carefully. Although most home urine tests are pretty much the same, it is important to follow manufacturers' instructions. Specifics may vary for each pregnancy test, such as the method of collecting the urine, the length of time you need to urinate on the stick for and the symbols used to indicate whether you're pregnant or not.[4]
    • It's better to familiarize yourself with the symbols used in advance, as you don't want to be anxiously scrambling for the instructions when the test throws up its results.
    • There should be a toll-free number on the box or instructions which you can call if you have any questions or concerns about the method of taking the test or the product itself.[4]
  4. Prepare yourself. Taking a home pregnancy can be a nerve-wracking experience, particularly when you're anxiously hoping for one result or the other. Take the test privately and give yourself as much time as you need, or have your partner or a close friend stand outside the bathroom door to talk you through it. Wash your hands with warm water and soap, then carefully remove the testing stick from its wrapper.

Taking the Test

  1. Ready, set, go! Sit on the toilet and urinate either on the testing stick or into the small plastic cup provided, depending on the type of test. You should try to use a midstream sample, which means you should pee a little first before you collect any urine in the cup or insert the stick.[5]
    • If you need to urinate directly on the stick, make sure to follow the instructions carefully. With some tests, you need to urinate on the stick for a very specific time, for example exactly 5 seconds, no more no less. Use a stopwatch to help you time it, if necessary.
    • When urinating on the stick, make sure to place the absorbent end of the stick into the urine stream and turn it so that the display window faces upwards.
  2. Use the dropper to place a small amount of urine onto the test stick. This is only required for the plastic cup method. Drop the urine into the well indicated on the stick. Alternatively, some brands require that you dip the absorbent end of the test stick into the collected urine. Hold it there for 5 to 10 seconds, or for the amount of time indicated in the instructions.
  3. Wait the stated amount of time. Place the testing stick on a clean, level surface with the result window facing up. Wait time is typically between 1 to 5 minutes, though some tests may take up to 10 minutes to give an accurate result. See the instructions to find out the required amount of time for your particular test.
    • Try not to stare at the stick for the duration of the waiting period, time will seem to go slower and you'll become even more anxious. Do something to distract yourself, like making a cup of tea or doing some stretches or exercises.
    • Some sticks will have a little timer symbol or line to show that the test is working. If your test stick is supposed to have this function and nothing appears on the screen, it is likely that your test is not working properly and you may need to use a different one.
  4. Check the results. Once the amount of time stated in the instructions has passed, check the test stick for results. The symbols used to indicate whether you are pregnant or not vary from test to test, so read the instructions again if your are unsure. Most home pregnancy tests use something like a plus or minus sign, a coded color change, or the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant" on a digital display.[4]
    • Sometimes a line or symbol will appear only very faintly on the display screen. If this happens, you should still consider it a positive result as this indicates that the test has picked up on hCG in your urine. False-positives are very rare.[6]
    • If the results are positive: You should make an appointment with your doctor to have the pregnancy confirmed. This is usually done using a blood test.[7]
    • If the results are negative: Wait another week and if you still haven't started your period you should do the test again. False negatives are fairly common, especially if you miscalculated your ovulation date and took the test too soon. This is why many home pregnancy tests come with two test sticks. If the second test comes back negative, make an appointment with your doctor to find out if there is some other problem affecting your menstruation or causing symptoms of pregnancy.[4]



Tips

  • If the test is positive, take a couple more to make sure every tests says it is positive.
  • Avoid drinking too many fluids before taking a home pregnancy test as this will dilute your urine and may result in a false-negative result.[4]

Warnings

  • Missed periods, weight gain, nausea, and other symptoms commonly associated with pregnancy could be symptoms of other serious medical conditions that require treatment. Do not ignore symptoms based on the results obtained from home testing, contact a health care professional.
  • Although rare, false-positives do occur from time to time. They are more likely if you recently had a chemical pregnancy (when an egg is fertilized but doesn't develop), you've taken medication that contains hCG, or you are using a faulty or expired test kit.[1]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://www.babycenter.com/0_home-pregnancy-tests_2029.bc?showAll=true
  2. ↑ http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/signs/test/home-pregnancy-tests/#page=15
  3. ↑ http://www.parenting.com/gallery/how-take-pregnancy-test?pnid=381031
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940
  5. ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/understandpregnancytests.html
  6. ↑ http://www.parenting.com/gallery/how-take-pregnancy-test?pnid=381035
  7. ↑ http://www.parenting.com/gallery/how-take-pregnancy-test?pnid=381033
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Use_a_Home_Pregnancy_Test&oldid=364504"