10 Home Pregnancy Tests (and How to Use Them)
There are different ways to collect your urine for the test. Depending on the test you choose, you may have to:. According to Cleveland Clinic , most tests are 99 percent effective if taken after a missed period. The best part is that you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Simply open the test, follow the instructions, and wait for the recommended amount of time to view the results.
After the recommended waiting time has passed, the tests will display your results in one of the following ways:. You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result.
If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG. This typically takes seven to 12 days after successful implantation of an egg.
Here are some signs that you should take a pregnancy test. Many women have a day menstrual cycle. Keep in mind that your period can sometimes be delayed or skipped due to stress , diet , exercise , or certain medical conditions.
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Also pay attention to your flow if you suspect pregnancy. Take note of any difference in the color, texture, or amount of blood. Implantation can also produce a feeling similar to menstrual cramps. In early pregnancy, you may feel this discomfort and think your period is just around the corner, but then it never comes. Your breasts may feel tender and appear bigger due to increased blood flow.
Your nipples might hurt and the veins might look darker under the skin. As the weeks go on, these symptoms may get stronger before your HCG levels even out late in the first trimester. You know yourself, so pay attention to your body. Any unusual physical symptoms could prompt you to take a pregnancy test. Human error or defects can also result in unplanned pregnancy. Birth control pills can be difficult to remember to take each day. Condoms can break and tear or otherwise be used incorrectly. According to Planned Parenthood, nearly 18 in every women relying on condoms for contraception get pregnant each year.
According to Planned Parenthood, less than one out of every women using an IUD gets pregnant each year. Sexually active women in their reproductive years have a chance of pregnancy every month, even when using protection. There are certain signals your body might send that should prompt you to take a pregnancy test. Test during your first morning bathroom visit, or hold it for several hours to increase the concentration of the HCG hormone that the test measures.
Testing early helps to ensure that you get proper care for yourself and, if applicable, prenatal care for your baby. In the event of a positive result, contact your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your options and potential next steps. Home pregnancy tests HPTs are quite accurate. They work by detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin hCG in the urine, which is produced when pregnancy occurs.
However, different brands of tests are able to recognize different amounts of the hormone.
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A negative result is less reliable. Speak to your GP if you get a negative result after a second test but your period hasn't arrived. You can use the pregnancy due date calculator to work out when your baby is due. If you're not sure about continuing with the pregnancy, you can discuss this confidentially with a healthcare professional. If you're 13 or older, the staff won't tell your parents. They'll encourage you to talk to your parents, but they won't force you.
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