A pregnancy kit comes in a box with one or two long sticks. You pee on the stick, and the result appears a few minutes later. As each test is slightly different, always read the instructions carefully. All pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which starts producing around six to ten days after fertilisation.1
Your body begins to change from the beginning of pregnancy to support the cells that will develop into your baby. The production of hCG is one thing that happens very quickly. If you become pregnant, your body starts producing more hCG. The hCG levels start rising about six to ten days after fertilisation when the fertilized egg attaches to your uterus.
What is the use of a pregnancy kit?
You can use a pregnancy test kit to determine if you are pregnant or not. Most people use urine to perform a pregnancy test at home. Pregnancy test work by identifying the hCG levels in your urine. You can also take a pregnancy test at a clinic using a blood or urine sample. For the most accurate results while using a home pregnancy test, you can wait until you miss your period. If your test is positive, you are already in your first trimester and you can experience some discomfort. It is necessary for you to also learn about the other stages of pregnancy to further navigate through this journey.
How to use a pregnancy kit?
A home pregnancy test kit includes a test cassette and a dropper. To test yourself, collect your pee in a disposable cup. Put a few drops of it in the well of the strip with a dropper and wait 3-5 mins before reading the result. If there is only one coloured line on the test strip, the test is negative, and you are not pregnant. If two coloured lines appear, the pregnancy test is positive; it indicates that you are pregnant. Even if the lines are light in colour, you can assume that you might be pregnant.
About six to ten days after fertilisation, hCG can be detected in urine. However, taking a test after you miss your period can reduce the chance of getting a false-negative result. A missed period usually occurs 14 days after conception.
Are pregnancy test kits effective?
A home pregnancy test looks for the pregnancy hormone HCG in your pee. These contain strips that detect hCG. When used correctly, most urine pregnancy test kits are roughly 99% accurate. That’s about the same as the accuracy percentage of pregnancy tests performed in your doctor’s office. These tests are widely available in pharmacies and supermarkets. They are simple to use and affordable. Before taking these pregnancy tests, make sure to read the instructions thoroughly.
What is the correct time to check the pregnancy kit?
If possible, use your early-morning pee. It is the time of day when your HCG levels will be more concentrated and easier to detect. If you do it later in the day, make sure your urine has been in your bladder for at least three hours.2
Can I feel pregnant, but the test is negative?
You can get a negative test result from a urine pregnancy test kit when you are pregnant. It is called a false negative. Even the best pregnancy test kit could be false sometimes because:
- Taking the test too early – The earlier you use a pregnancy test kit, the more difficult it is for the test to detect HCG. Make sure to take a home pregnancy test after the first day of a missed period to get the most accurate results.
- Check test results too soon – Set a timer to go off at the prescribed time in the test directions. Don’t check the test until that time has passed.
- Take the test later in the day – Do the test shortly after you get up in the morning for the most accurate results. That is when your urine is most concentrated, making it easier to detect hCG.
- Check the expiration date – You could get a false negative if your pregnancy test kit is expired.3
Can I take a pregnancy test at night?
In a word, yes. You can definitely take a pregnancy test at night. It is less clear, however, whether you will get an accurate result. In the early pregnancy stages, while hCG levels are still increasing, your first-morning urine will give you the best chance of a positive pregnancy kit test. If you have decided to take a home pregnancy test at night, remember that several factors can influence the pregnancy test results. A negative test at night can follow by a positive test in the morning.
Is it okay to take a pregnancy test after 5 days?
A home test may give a positive result as early as 10 days after conception and 6 days after fertilisation. If you think you could be pregnant, make sure to get a pregnancy test. The accuracy of home pregnancy testing kits can differ. Wait until after you’ve missed your period to take a test to get a more accurate result. Remember that if you take a pregnancy test too soon, it could be negative even if you’re pregnant. Take another test if your pregnancy test kit result is negative test and then miss your period.4
What are the signs of pregnancy after 2 days?
It varies. Some women feel pregnant or their pregnancy symptoms start within a few days of conception, while others do not feel pregnant for several weeks after a positive pregnancy test. Pregnancy symptoms differ from person to person and even from pregnancy to pregnancy.5
Why is my period late?
Am I pregnant? Why do I think I’m pregnant? These are some of the common questions we have if our period is late. Missed or late periods occur for many reasons other than pregnancy. Hormonal imbalances and medical disorders are common causes. You can have late periods due to:
- Stress
- Low body weight
- Obesity
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Birth control
- Chronic diseases
- Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
- Thyroid issues
Your doctor can understand and diagnose the reason for your late or missed period and discuss your treatment options.6
What is a finger test in pregnancy?
You can check the position and firmness of your cervix at home. You can do this by placing a finger into your vagina and feeling for the cervix. You can choose the finger that is most comfortable for you. Your middle finger may be the most useful finger to use because it is the longest. To reduce the danger of infection, perform this test after taking a shower and with clean, dry hands.
If you want to use this method to detect pregnancy, check your cervix every day throughout your cycle and create a journal to recognise and track your usual cervical changes. Some women have mastered the art of doing this test, while others find it more challenging.7
How to confirm pregnancy?
You can take a test to confirm your pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are mainly of two types: urine tests and blood tests. Generally, you can take a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test. This type of test is accessible without a prescription from your doctor and in many price ranges. However, blood tests are done at the doctor’s office where they take a sample of your blood. An ultrasound is another way to confirm a pregnancy. In their office, your doctor does an ultrasound. If you’ve tested positive and want to continue the pregnancy, it is important for you to understand a few things – understand your nutritional requirements, visit a doctor, determine your stage of pregnancy and also be aware of the common complication of pregnancy.8
