Home Pregnancy Test, How to check pregnancy at home
Shutterstock/ProStockStudio

Home pregnancy test - Do's and Don'ts

By Harish P Tuesday, March 6, 2018 - 10:55
If you are wondering how to check pregnancy at home, the answer is Home pregnancy tests (HPTs). They have revolutionised the way women find out whether they’re pregnant or not. Let’s run through some things to keep in mind while using HPT kits.
DO'S
First-morning urine

HPT is a test for a hormone called hCG in your urine.  hCG is a hormone produced when an egg is implanted in the uterus i.e. when you’re pregnant. Now, unless you’ve gone to the loo in the midnight, first-morning samples, as opposed to later ones, are likely to have more concentration of hCG and, so, have higher accuracy rates.

Most test kits are very economical and can be purchased in the market at the price of INR 100 onwards. Markets are now flooded with other types of pregnancy test kits that can be held directly in the urine stream and do not require you to collect urine in a container. These kits are comparatively more expensive. 

Wait!

No doubt, HPTs deliver quick, instant results and that’s their whole charm. But then it’s important to wait for the lines to appear on the card/strip/etc. Most kits advise you to wait for 5-10 whole minutes before taking the result as final. Some others may prescribe that you wait longer. Here is how to check pregnancy at home: 

How to take the test

Many tests in the market have instructions to hold the stick in your urine stream and then place it on a flat surface for a certain number of minutes. While other tests may instruct you to place the stick in a cup of your urine and may others still provide you with a dropper. Read the instructions for your test carefully, and follow the instructions exactly. Also, It needs just 2 - 3 drops of urine to do the test. 

How to read the test

  1.  Most strips have two corners marked 'C' and 'T' on the test card. 'C' indicates a control. This line must always appear because this is the comparison line. 'T' indicates the test sample. 
  2.  If only one pink/purple lines appear, in the region marked 'C', it means that the test is negative for pregnancy. If two pink/purple lines appear, one in the region marked 'C' and the other in the region marked 'T', it means that the test is positive for pregnancy.
  3. In case no lines appear, then the test is invalid. Repeat the test with a new kit after 72 hours. 
  4. If the line formed in region 'T' is faint, this could be due to low levels of hCG hormone. 
  5. If you get a faint line, repeat the test with a new kit after 72 hours.

Faint positive line in pregnancy test – Why does it happen, what does it mean? 

When you’re standing at the are-you-pregnant-or-aren’t-you threshold, a faint positive line in the T region (one of two lines needed to indicate the positive test) can further add to your confusion. Does it mean you’re pregnant? Or not? Does a faint line indicate a false positive? Well, getting a faint positive line on your pregnancy test isn’t uncommon, and this can happen due to a number of reasons. 

Most commonly, a faint positive line means that you are pregnant but may have low levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – a pregnancy hormone that home pregnancy test kits detect to give results. The hCG levels in your body increase as the pregnancy progresses, and a faint positive can be the result of taking the test too early. If you can, wait a few days and retake the test, preferably with the first urine sample of the day. 

Another possibility is you waited longer than the recommended time to check the results. In such cases, the faint second line on the pregnancy test strip is known as an evaporation line. Typically, you’re meant to check the result within 3 to 5 minutes. If you wait longer than 10 minutes, the urine used for the test may evaporate, leaving a thin water line on the strip. This is often colourless or mildly pink (as a result of colour from the other line bleeding out). More often than not, an evaporation line means you’re not pregnant. Or may have done the test too early. 

Unfortunately, a faint positive line can also mean that you were pregnant but aren’t anymore. This is often the result of a chemical pregnancy where a miscarriage takes place shortly after implantation. Since your body may still have some residual hCG from the brief window when you were pregnant, you can get a false positive on a home pregnancy test. 

In all of these instances, the best approach is to wait a day or two, and take the test again. If you’re panicking over what the result could mean, setting up an appointment with your doctor is always the right thing to do.

Medications may interfere in results

While most HPTs boast of an accuracy rate between 97-99%, there can be false positives (positive results when in fact you’re not pregnant) due to some types of medications you might be taking. For example anti-anxiety medicines are known to contain hCG that could show up in the test even when you’re not pregnant.

Check the expiry date

Like most things these days, HPTs come with a use-by date as well. So, when you buy it from that store counter, make sure you’ve checked the expiry date for the kit for greater efficacy and accuracy.

DON’TS
Check too soon

Do not check just one day after having unprotected sex! It is advisable to take the test after at least 10 days of having unprotected sex with your partner. Now, there are tests that promise accuracy even four days before a missed period. You can also take it after you missed your periods. This is because the amount of hCG in your urine increases with time and so and is highest after the first day of missed periods

Neglect all instructions

Most of us treat the finer instructions as if they’re there merely for decoration. But it’s important to be extremely cautious when it comes to tests. Different kits come with different mechanisms and standards, so it is best to read the instructions twice and carefully. Using clean bowls, having a certain amount of urine to test, etc are things you should not compromise upon, if the kit specifies not to. 

Take the first result as final!

It is always better to do an HPT again within 21 days of unprotected sex. False negatives (tests that return negative despite you being pregnant) are not impossible and it’s better to be to test again when the hCG, if there is any, in your urine is bound to rise! Blood tests can be accurate than HPT’s so that could be another option for re-testing

Freak out in case of an unexpected result

Now that you know how to check pregnancy at home, remember that panic creates more problems than it solves. Sure, the news of pregnancy is a lot to take in when you aren’t prepared for it. But nothing is impossible to solve with dialogue and calm. There are many options to deal with an unplanned pregnancy. Consulting a doctor is a must. Rope in your partner, friends, and loved ones too to ease the process and make a well thought out decision.

*Person in the picture is a model. 

Do you have any more questions on how to check pregnancy at home?  Please send them to LM experts on our discussion forum.

About the author: Harish Pedaprolu is a writer and academic based out of Mumbai, India. He has been writing and editing content for the last 6 years. He has also been researching and teaching philosophy at the university level for the past 5 years. He can be reached out on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Did you find this useful?

Comments
Bete, these are not conclusive signs of any sort for pregnancy. Symptoms don’t come so soon anyway. It’s perhaps fear and nervousness more than anything else. Just relax. If you want to be double sure - do a home test - after 10 days of this act... and then NEVER have sex without a condom. Ok? https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts If you would like to join in on a further discussion on this topic, join our discussion board, "Just Ask” https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Hi I had my period date on sept 5, I had unprotected sex on 1st sept & again on 8th Sept, 13th Sept.I did pregnancy test on 15th Sept it came negative & again on 17th Sept I had unprotected sex & again I did test on 26th Sept it came negative Now kindly let me know am I pregnant r not
Going by just one measure - which is never good enough - if you have a perfect cycle - which only you would know - your ovulation dates are 14 days after 5th which is roughly 19th . So say 17th - 22 would have been the right days to have sex - you did on 17th - maybe the egg was not ready by then - the result after 10 days says negative - so then that's the final. Please chart your dates better and try a number of times... its hardly a one time situation and may takes many attempts and many months so please, be patient. https://lovematters.in/en/our-bodies/ovulation-calendar-how-to-calculate-ovulation If you would like to join in on a further discussion on this topic, join our discussion board, "Just Ask” https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Rajesh kumar
Thu, 05/06/2021 - 22:42
Mam mene apni gf k sath 03/04/2021 ko sex kiya tha uske baad usko 05/04/2021ko period ho gye the lekin uske baad kisi bhi tarah ka koi sex aaj tk yani 06/05/2021 tk nhi hua h fir bhi usko abhi tk period nhi hua h kirpya ucchit salah de
Bete yadi unsafe sex ke baad bhee unhe periods hue hain toh ismein pregnancy ke chances na ke barabr hai. Phir bhi yadi aap aur safe hona chahtey hain to ek Home pregnancy test kar leejiye aur stithi nischit kar leejiye. Kripya aaj ke baad condom ka nirdharit upyog keejiye, apne liye aur apni partner ke liye. Aur samanyataya periods 28 se 34 dino ke antral per ho sakte hai. Yaha padhiye: https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/unsure-about-being-pregnant/unsafe-sex-missed-period-am-i-pregnant https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/menstrual-cycle Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Mam mujhe dait last 28 yaa 29 sep ko aai thi ayr vo vese bhot baar mere periods irregular hi rhte h kisi month hote h kisi month ni hote maine 8 nov ko apne bf se mili thi usne humne unsafe kia tha sex like sex bhi ni kh skte usne apna penis mere andar ni dala tha bus touch kia tha 2-3 min to ayr mere periods ni aare pichli baar periods lane ke lie maine ajwen ka paani peea tha usse aagae the es baar to 3 din se peeriu tbhi ni aare bhot tnsion hori h m pregnant to ni hu koi home remedies btado jisse pta chljae coz m prega news ni leskti verna ghar valo ko pra chljaega
Soni bete sabse pahli baat hum aapko koi bhi home remedy nahi bata sakte, aur ye safe bhi nahi hota. Sabse pahle to jo sthiti aap bata rahi hain, ismein pregnancy ke chances nahi lagte, lekin sthiti ko nischit karne ke liye aap chemist se liya gaya ek Home pregnancy test kit se test kar leejiye aur sthiti nischit kar leejiye. Aur agar aapke periods irregular hain to kisi registered doctor ke regular consult me rahiye aur unki salah ko follow kijiye. Kripya aaj ke baad condom ka nirdharit upyog keejiye. https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/unsure-about-being-pregnant/unsafe-sex-missed-period-am-i-pregnant https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts https://lovematters.in/hi/our-bodies/my-periods-are-irregular-what-should-i-do Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Ma'am mene mere bf ke saath sex kiya tha unprotected 2 baar aur uske baad ipill khayi thi fhir uske baad mujhe periods aagaye aur taab safe sex kiya tha aur fhir unprotected bhi kiya tha lekin discharge bahar hua tha mujhe normally periods aate hai taab 3 din hota hai pr uss din ke baad mere periods 6 7 din taak the kuch november 19 taak the fhir uske baad se mujhe abhi taak periods nahi aaye tho iska matlab m pregnant hu please mujhe bataye
Dekhiye puttar aapne unsafe sex kiya fir ipill le liya to is goli ko lene ke baad halki bleeding ho sakti hai. PLEASE in goliyoun ko laparvahi se istemaal mat keejiye. Lekin uske baad aapne unprotected sex kiya, dekhiye yeh ek bahut badi mithya hai ki sperm bahar nikalne se garbhdharn nahi hota hai kyunki pregnant hone ke liye ek shukranu bhi bohot kaafi hota hai. Ye bhi yaad rakhiye ki safe sex ke liye condom ka istemal kiya jaata hai naa ki emergency pills ka bête, ye mahila ke masik dharm par asar karti hai, jo ho bhi raha hai. Aur agar unprotected sex ke baad periods aaye hain, to isme pregnancy ke chances na ke barabar hote hain, phir bhi yadi aap aur safe hona chahtey hain to chemist se liya gaya ek Home pregnancy test kit se test kar leejiye aur sthiti nischit kar leejiye. Yaha padhiye zara: https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/safe-sex https://lovematters.in/hi/birth-control/top-10-facts-about-emergency-contraceptive-pills https://lovematters.in/hi/birth-control/chosing-the-right-birth-control/morning-after-pills-instead-of-condoms-is-that-ok Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gahri charcha mein judna chahte hain toh hamare discussion board ‘Just Poocho’ mein zaroor shamil hon! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Ma'am mene mere partner ke saath sex kiya tha november 2021 m uss time mere periods ke duran humne sex kiya tha lekin discharge bahar hua tha aur uske baad normally mere periods 3 din hote hai uss time mere periods 5 days extra the tho uske baad periods nahi aaye aur pichle month periods aane se phele kiya tha taab unprotected kiya tha discharge bhi bahar nahi hua tha tho aur iss month periods nahi aaye hai mujhe abhi taak can u please tell me kya m pregnant hu
Rehan beta unsafe sex ke 10 days baad aap ek home pregnancy test kit se test kar saktey hain. Morning urine sample is much better for this. Ok? https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/safe-sex https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/unplanned-pregnancy https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Mam ,, meri gf ka periods date 20 tareekh hai to pichle maine dec mein use 21 ko periods aaya bhi aur hum dono 28 ko date pr the aur hmne sex kiya without using condom.. woh hum dono ke liye first time tha.. too mam aaj uske periods ko 1mahine 4 din ho gye but use periods nai aaya .. aur mam mujhe yaad hai maine koi galti nahi ki hai to ky mam meri gf pregnant hai 🥺
Vishal beta yadi yeh sex unsafe tha toh ismein pregnancy ke chances ho skate hain. Iske liye phoran chemist se liya gaya ek home pregnancy test kit se test lijiye. Phir kisi vishesagya ya achche panjikrit doctor se mill lijiye aur dekhiye kya ho sakta hai. Iske illava aap FPAI clinic se bhee sampark kar sakety hai jiski jaankari aaapko iski website pe mil jayegi. https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/unplanned-pregnancy https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/india Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Mam mene 3 bar condom use krke sex kiya hai lekin period nahi aaya he 20 din late hai mene 2 bar pregnancy kit se cheak krbaya to negetive aaya kya solution hai ...
Ab kya sthiti hai Krishna bête? Aapne safe sex kiya tha, with condom, toh isme pregnancy ke chances toh nahi lagte. Lekin agar period nahi aa raha ho aur test se bhi pata nahi chal raha ho toh iske liye kisi visheshgya ya panjikrit doctor se consult kar lijiye. Ise bhee padh lijiye: https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/unsure-about-being-pregnant/unsafe-sex-missed-period-am-i-pregnant Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
mam muze last month 4 date ko periods aye the uske baad 19 ko unsafe sex hua and is month muze date ke 5 days baad bhi periods nahi hue to kya mere pregnency ke chances ho sakte hai?
Shivani bete yeh sex unsafe tha toh ismein pregnancy ke chances ho skate hain. Iske liye phoran hee chemist se liya gaya ek home pregnancy test kit se test lijiye, aur sabse pahle sthiti ko nischit kijiye. Yadi report positive ho toh kisi vishesagya ya achche panjikrit doctor se mill lijiye aur dekhiye kya ho sakta hai. Iske illava aap FPAI clinic se bhee sampark kar sakety hai jiski jaankari aaapko iski website pe mil jayegi. https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/unplanned-pregnancy https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/india Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Mam maine apni gf k saath sex kia tha aur 1 month m kaafi baar kr lia tha. Uski date periods ki 3 thi last month but iss month use 2 ko hi periods ho gaye. Baat ye h ki usko periods k khatam hone k 2 din baad raat ko chakkar aur vomiting hui. Humne unprotected sex kia h 2 3 baar Usko chakkar k saath pet m dard tha halka aur din m chlne se pero m dard h usko ye btaya Mam ye kya signs ho skte h?
Bete yadi unsafe sex ke baad bhee unhe periods hue hain toh ismein pregnancy ke chances na ke barabr hai. Phir bhi yadi aap aur safe hona chahtey hain to ek Home pregnancy test kar leejiye aur stithi nischit kar leejiye. Kripya aaj ke baad condom ka nirdharit upyog keejiye, apne liye aur apni partner ke liye. Aur samanyataya periods 28 se 34 dino ke antral per ho sakte hai. Aur jo symptoms aap bata rahe hain, uske anya karan ho sakte hain, ya stress or tension ke karan bhi aisa ho sakta hai. Yaha padhiye: https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/unsure-about-being-pregnant/unsafe-sex-missed-period-am-i-pregnant https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/menstrual-cycle Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Harsh bete yadi yeh sex unsafe tha toh ismein pregnancy ke chances ho skate hain. Iske liye phoran hee chemist se liya gaya ek home pregnancy test kit se test lijiye, aur sabse pahle sthiti ko nischit kijiye. Yadi report positive ho toh kisi vishesagya ya achche panjikrit doctor se mill lijiye aur dekhiye kya ho sakta hai. Iske illava aap FPAI clinic se bhee sampark kar sakety hai jiski jaankari aaapko iski website pe mil jayegi. Kripya safe sex ke liye condom ka upyog nirdharit roop se kijiye. https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/unplanned-pregnancy https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/india Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Bete iske bare mein adhik jaankari ke liye ye padhiye: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/ovulation-calculator  https://lovematters.in/en/our-bodies/ovulation-calendar-how-to-calculate-ovulation Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Stephanie
Mon, 06/20/2022 - 14:47
I had sex since February and have been seeing my period since then but this June my breast is tending and am urinary regularly could I be pregnant
Dear relax, it's a long time now!! If you are still having periods after unsafe sex, then there are virtually no chances of being pregnant. Please use condom next time. And these are not the conclusive signs of pregnancy, it may be because of stress or tension, or anything else. https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/safe-sex https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts If you would like to join in on a further discussion on this topic, join our discussion board, ‘Just Ask’ https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Hlo mam mera period 19 aug ko aaya tha aur 28din ka period cycle h aur mujhe vomiting , cramps,brest me dard hath pav me dard hota h weakness lagti h fever ho jata h to kya ye preganancy ho sakte h
Bete yadi koi unsafe sex hua ho toh unsafe sex ke 10 days baad aap ek home pregnancy test kit se test kar lijiye aur sthiti ko nishchit kar lijiye. Morning urine sample is much better for this. Waise ye sab pregnancy ke conclusive symptoms nahi hai hain, so test first..OK! https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/safe-sex https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/unplanned-pregnancy https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Hemu puttar unsafe sex ke 10 days baad aap ek home pregnancy test kit se test kar lijiye aur sthiti ko nishchit kar lijiye. Morning urine sample is much better for this. OK! https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/safe-sex https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/unplanned-pregnancy https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy/home-pregnancy-tests-dos-and-donts Yadi aap is mudde par humse aur gehri charcha mein judna chahte hain to hamare discussion board “Just Poocho” mein zaroor shamil ho! https://lovematters.in/en/forum
Lotus flower
Wed, 04/05/2023 - 19:32
I'm a teenager and I've been having a lot of unprotected sex with someone I am not supposed to and he doesn't always ejaculate in me but when he does I'm scared I'll get pregnant. With past partners I haven't gotten pregnant. What do I do if I am?
Dear first of all I want to suggest please NEVER have sex without a condom. Ok? In this situation take a home pregnancy test after 10 days of the unprotected sex. if the test is positive please quickly meet an expert or a doctor who can be a registered and see what can happen. You can ask for MTP, get the opinion of a trustworthy doctor in any clinic and don't come to the words of a quack or chemist at all- DOCTOR ONLY https://lovematters.in/hi/resource/unplanned-pregnancy You can also contact fpai clinic, which you will find on its website. https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/india If you would like to join in on a further discussion on this topic, join our Facebook and Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/lovematters.india?mibextid=LQQJ4d https://instagram.com/lovemattersindia?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://lovematters.in/hi/pregnancy-symptoms-week-1

 

यदि आप इस मुद्दे पर हमसे और गहरी चर्चा में जुड़ना चाहते हैं या अपनी समस्या हमसे शेयर करना चाहते हैं, तो हमारे फेसबुक और इंस्टाग्राम के इन्बॉक्स में अपनी समस्या लिखें ताकि हम आपको सही सलाह दे सकें- https://www.facebook.com/lovematters.india?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Add new comment

Comment

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang>