A missed period can be exciting, especially if are planning to have a baby. You may not want to go to a doctor just yet, as it may be too soon or because you want to keep the news private. Whatever the reason, a pregnancy test at home can help you find out whether you are pregnant or not.
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How To Check Pregnancy At Home
You can check pregnancy at home using the following methods:
1. Pregnancy test kit
Pregnancy test kits are available in the market and give instant results. It contains a chemical stick that detects the HCG level in your body through your urine. You can put a few drops of urine on the strip or place it under your urine stream. Wait for five minutes before checking the result. One line means you are not pregnant, and two lines means you are pregnant. You should read the instructions on its box before using it.
2. Sugar pregnancy test
As sugar is a staple in almost every household, the sugar pregnancy test is a convenient test. It may not be very reliable, but some think it can indicate a pregnancy. The test is simple and does not require much effort. Take 2-3 tablespoons of sugar and pour equal parts of urine over it. If it dissolves in the urine, you are not pregnant. If the sugar starts foaming or becomes clumpy, you may be pregnant.
3. Salt pregnancy test
Another usual kitchen ingredient – salt is also used like sugar to predict pregnancy. It is also said to detect pregnancy, but there is not much evidence to validate this. Take a tablespoon of salt and pour one tablespoon of urine over it. It may indicate pregnancy if it gets foamy and lumpy. If nothing happens, you are not pregnant.
4. Vinegar pregnancy test
Many people have vinegar available at home and can try this technique as a pregnancy test at home though there is no proof that it is a substantial test for pregnancy. You require white vinegar for this test. Pour vinegar into a clean and dry container. Mix urine in the vinegar and mix it. The vinegar will supposedly change color and form bubbles if you may be pregnant. There will be no change otherwise.
5. Toothpaste pregnancy test
White toothpaste is the usual ingredient for this DIY pregnancy test. Put some white toothpaste in a container and add urine to it. If the toothpaste changes in color and frothiness develops, it may detect a pregnancy though there is no evidence to prove it.
6. Wheat and barley pregnancy test
Wheat and barley are grains usually available in most Pakistani households. You can also use these to conduct a home pregnancy test. This test originates from ancient Egypt, where many believed in its effectiveness.
For this test, get some wheat and barley grains and then pee on them. Wait for two days and check if the seeds germinate. The seeds germinate earlier due to the HCG level, as per belief. An early study shows that seeds may germinate when pregnant women urinate in them. However, sometimes seeds germinated even when a woman was not pregnant, which made it an unreliable method.
7. Shampoo test
Shampoos are also an everyday use item that people claim can reveal a pregnancy. Put two drops of urine in two drops of shampoo without mixing. If it creates any bubbles or becomes frothy, the test is positive. If nothing changes, the test is negative. You can try it out, but there is no proof of its effectiveness.
8. Baking soda
It is a claim that baking soda reacts with HCG, which may cause it to fizzle or crackle. To do this test, use baking soda and urine in equal proportions. Put the baking soda in a plastic container and pour urine over it. After a few minutes, if the baking soda fizzles or crackles, it may indicate a pregnancy. If they do not react to each other, you are not pregnant.
Improving Test Accuracy
If you are expecting pregnancy and are checking in anticipation, you can use any of the techniques above to check if you are becoming a mother. You can improve the accuracy of pregnancy tests at home to ensure that you get an accurate result. You can enhance pregnancy test accuracy by:
- Do not take the test too early
- Follow the package instructions carefully when using a pregnancy test kit
- Use the pregnancy test in the morning after your first urine
- Wait for a few minutes before checking the result
Once the test is positive, you should take a blood test to confirm and visit your gynecologist. Pregnancy can be demanding for your body, so ensure that you take good care of yourself.
Conclusion
There are many ways to test pregnancy, the most definitive being a blood test. You can do a pregnancy test at home easily. It can be done through a pregnancy test kit, which is comparatively more accurate than other DIY pregnancy tests.
Though if you want to give them a go, you can, as they involve simple everyday ingredients, such as sugar, salt, shampoo, etc. While some may believe these tests are accurate, there is no solid evidence if these methods work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which pregnancy test gives the most accurate results?
Pregnancy test kits give the most precise results compared to other tests that can be done at home.
2. When should you take a pregnancy test?
Take the pregnancy test after one to two weeks after a missed period.
3. How long to hold urine before the pregnancy test?
Ideally, you should use the first urine of the day for the test, but if it is not hold your pee for three hours before taking the test.
