Pregnancy Test - Know when it's time to do it

The home pregnancy test purchased at the pharmacy is reliable, as long as it is done after the menstrual delay, since if it is done before it can give a negative result that is not correct. Good examples of tests considering trustworthiness are Clear Blue and Confirm, which can be purchased at pharmacies.

These tests measure the amount of beta hCG hormone in the urine, which is only produced when the woman is pregnant. These tests are reliable and easy to do, but they can give some error when they are done very early, in this case, the concentration of the hormone in the urine is very low and cannot be detected by the test.

When is the Best Day to get a Pregnancy Test?

The pregnancy test purchased at the pharmacy can be done from the first day of the menstrual delay. However, if the result of this first test is negative and as the days go by the menstruation is still late or if there are pregnancy symptoms such as mild pinkish vaginal discharge and swollen and sore breasts, the test should be repeated after 3 to 5 days, when beta hCG hormone levels are increased and it is easier to detect. Know what are the first 10 symptoms of pregnancy.

How to do the Pregnancy Test at Home?

To make the test it is recommended to use the first urine of the day, since the hCG hormone that is produced during pregnancy is more concentrated, however, if it is done at any time of the day the result is also reliable.

To do the pregnancy test that is bought in the pharmacy you must: urinate in a clean container, immediately placing the test tape in contact with the urine for a few seconds (indicated in the text box) and then remove. Ideally, place the test on a flat surface and wait. The result usually appears 1 to 5 minutes later.

If it is positive, it is recommended to have a blood test in a laboratory and go to the obstetrician to start prenatal control. Learn more about the blood pregnancy test.

How to know if it was Positive or Negative?

The results of the home pregnancy test can be:

• Two stripes: positive result, indicating pregnancy confirmation;
• A line: negative result, indicating that there is no pregnancy or that it is still too early to be detected.

Generally, after 10 minutes the result can be altered by external factors, so the result should not be considered in the event that this occurs. If you are trying to get pregnant you can wait 3 to 5 days and repeat the test. In addition to the Positive and Negative results, this homemade pregnancy test can also give a false negative because despite the result being apparently negative when a new test is performed after 5 days, the result is positive. However, there is no possibility of having a false positive.

In cases where the test resulted in a negative result and after having repeated it a second time, the menstruation continues without going down, the ideal will be to schedule a consultation with the gynecologist to verify the cause of the problem and start the appropriate treatment. See other causes why menstruation can be delayed.

Do Other Home Pregnancy Tests Work?

Other home pregnancy tests that are popularly known use a needle, toothpaste, chlorine, and water, however, none of them are reliable and are therefore not recommended. See more of these pregnancy tests here and why they are not reliable.

To guarantee the result, the best option to confirm pregnancy is to have a pharmacy test or blood test in a laboratory, because they evaluate the amount of the beta hCG hormone in the blood and urine confirming the result.