Home Pregnancy Tests

Home pregnancy tests work by measuring the level of hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, in your bloodstream. This is the hormone produced by the developing placenta in the early stages of pregnancy, and is the hormone responsible for the feeling of nausea that we so often refer to as "morning sickness." HCG levels start showing up in the blood shortly after implantation occurs.

There are several different types of home pregnancy tests - the strip, the cassette, and the dipstick (or midstream). Every brand and type contains instructions on how to use the product, but generally, here's how they work:

• Pregnancy test strip - You collect your urine in a clean container, and simply hold the strip vertically and immerse it in the sample. There's usually a line indicating how deep you should dip the test strip in. After a period of time (which is specified in the manufacturer's instructions - but usually after 3-5 minutes) you read the results.
• Pregnancy test cassette - Similar to the pregnancy test strip, you collect your urine first in a clean container. Use the dropper provided in the kit to withdraw a small amount of urine, and then put about 2-4 drops of the sample into the designated area on the cassette. You can then read the results after 3-5 minutes, according to the product instructions.
• Pregnancy test dipstick - This is probably the most hassle-free type of pregnancy test to use. You simply position the product such that the absorbent strip will be in contact with your urine when you pee. Wait for 6-10 seconds so that the strip will absorb a significant amount of sample. You can also choose to use this as you would with a pregnancy test strip - to collect the sample urine first in a clean container before dipping the tip into it. Then, after 3-5 minutes, you can read the results.

Positive results may be shown as a double line or a plus mark. There are even some that display the word "pregnant" if it comes out positive. It really depends on the brand.
 

Double line (=)

Plus sign (+)

 

 

 

"Pregnant"

Home pregnancy tests can be quite accurate, provided that it is done correctly according to instructions and administered within the correct time frame. But the problem is that most women don't know exactly when to use the test for it to be truly accurate. It is quite difficult to predict when ovulation will occur, even in women with regular periods, and close to impossible to foresee when the zygote will implant itself onto the uterus.

Furthermore,  Some brands are quite sensitive and are able to successfully detect a pregnancy on the day of the missed menstrual period itself. But generally, it is advised to wait 3-4 days, or even a week, after the missed period to avoid getting a false negative result, which means that the hormone levels might not have risen enough yet to be detected by the pregnancy test.

False positives are also possible, meaning that the test results show positive, even without an actual pregnancy. This can happen in women who are taking fertility pills that contain the hormone hCG, and also in women who have liver disease or a molar pregnancy, which is not a true pregnancy.

Pregnancy tests are easily available on the internet. You can order yours here: