How to Use a Home Pregnancy Test

Choose a pregnancy test. There are many different brands on the market, but it doesn’t matter which one you should choose, because they all work on the principle of detecting the presence of hCG hormone in the urine. When buying, you should check the expiration date on the box, the box must be intact with no tears to ensure product quality. Buy a box with two if you’re planning to take an early pregnancy test, so you can try again a week later if the first test comes back negative. ^[1]

• Some experts advocate buying test strips from major drugstores where sales are high, where you’re more likely to get a new product instead of buying the wrong one that’s been on the shelf for months. Similarly, if you’ve been keeping a test strip at home for several months, it’s a good idea to throw it away, especially if you leave it in a warm and humid place as it may give false results. ^[1]
• Some brands claim their products can detect pregnancy accurately on the day of the missed period, or even earlier. While it is true that test strips can be sensitive enough to detect low levels of hCG in the urine, the body does not produce enough hCG at the time of conception. In that case the result may be negative even though you are already pregnant. ^[1]
• Many pregnancy test strips of unknown brands are manufactured in large factories and they use the same manufacturing technology as the established brands. Therefore, don’t worry about the quality of the new brands if you want to save some money. ^[2]

Know when to take a pregnancy test. Experts recommend waiting at least a day after a missed period, but it’s best to wait a week. This can be very difficult when you are anxious to know if you are pregnant or not. But waiting is more accurate because hCG levels rise rapidly in pregnant women. ^[3]

• hCG begins to be produced in the body after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. Normally, the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall about 6 days after the egg and sperm meet. That’s why home pregnancy tests can’t detect hCG if you take it too soon, even if you’ve actually conceived. ^[4]
• It’s best to take a pregnancy test early in the morning when your urine has the highest concentration of hCG. ^[1]

Read the instructions carefully. While the home urine testing methods are largely the same, you should still follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The details may vary for each pregnancy test, such as the method of urine collection, the length of time it takes to urinate on the stick, and the signs used to show you are pregnant. ^[4]

• It’s better to learn about the symbols before you start trying to avoid having to rush through the sign reading instructions when the results are available.
• Products often have instructions or a toll-free number on the box, where you can ask your questions, such as testing methods, or questions about the product itself. ^[4]

Mentally prepare. Taking a home pregnancy test can be very nerve-wracking, especially when you are expecting a baby or, conversely, are afraid of getting pregnant. You can try secretly and slowly wait as long as you like, or in the presence of a lover or a close friend standing outside the bathroom talking while you wait. Wash your hands with soap and water and carefully remove the test strip from the box.