Pregnancy Test Kit How to Use | Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve chosen to have a family and have been waiting for the “good news,” a home pregnancy kit is a simple way to confirm your pregnancy at home. This wonderful tool is accessible at most medical stores and will tell you if you are pregnant or not without the need for a trip to the doctor. A home pregnancy test kit detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone generated by the body while pregnant. The hormone can be found in both urine and blood. This hormone can be detected in your urine using a home pregnancy test kit. These kits are straightforward to use, but if you get stuck, here are step-by-step instructions for using a pregnancy kit at home. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use.
Pregnancy Test Kit: How to Use
During pregnancy, the body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which circulates in the blood and is also found in the urine. The pregnancy test kit detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. It is a qualitative examination. Some pregnancy test kits are more sensitive than others, but the majority will detect hCG during the fourth and fifth weeks of your pregnancy. This implies that the test should be positive for individuals who have regular cycles after a few days of missing their period. Although virtually all over-the-counter pregnancy test kits detect pregnancy by detecting hCG in the urine, you must read and carefully follow the instructions for the test kit because the usage instructions differ from kit to kit.
A home pregnancy test can be used to detect whether or not you are pregnant. You may have missed your period or been concerned that your birth control was ineffective. Home pregnancy tests are very easy to use, but it is critical that you carefully read all of the instructions. The accuracy of the tests is dependent on your successfully following the guidelines and interpreting the findings. Pregnancy tests detect the presence of hCG (the pregnancy hormone) in your urine. When a fertilised egg implants in your uterus, your body begins to produce hCG. Most home pregnancy tests detect hCG in much the same way—they provide a positive result if your hCG level is at least 20 mIU (mIU is a level of measurement). Some at-home pregnancy tests are slightly more sensitive than others. The sensitivity thresholds of the test are usually included in the instructions.
Below are the Pregnancy Test Kit How to Use instructions step-by-step.
1. Buy a home pregnancy kit
You will find pregnancy kits of several brands, all of which function on the same concept of detecting hCG levels in urine. The most important thing to remember when buying a pregnancy kit is to verify the expiration date. Check if the packaging is intact and if the product is recent. Look for companies that include two test sticks in a box, so that if you need to repeat the test, you don’t have to run out to acquire it again. If the test kit has been lying in your cabinet for months, do not use it. Purchase a fresh one every time you intend to test for pregnancy.
2. Read the manual provided
Once you get the pregnancy test kit, take your time and thoroughly read the instructions. Most products have the same instructions, but if you acquire a new one, make sure you carefully read the booklet and follow it through. The markings on the stick that indicate whether you are pregnant or not may change depending on the brand. In addition, the technique of collecting urine may differ. Read the instruction booklet to become acquainted with the test kit.
3. Select the perfect time for the test
The timing of the home pregnancy test kit is critical, and it is recommended that you wait at least a day after missing your period before taking the test. If you wait a week before taking the test, you will obtain the most accurate results. It is preferable to get the test done immediately after waking up in the morning since your urine will contain the maximum concentration of hCG at that time.
4. Keep yourself mentally prepared
You must be anxious to learn whether or not you are pregnant. However, you should attempt to relax and allow yourself some space. Wash your hands with soap and lukewarm water before removing the test stick.
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5. Take the test
You can either collect the urine in a tiny plastic container or urinate directly on the pregnancy test stick to do the test. Use midstream pee for the test, which means urinating a little before urinating on the stick or collecting it in a container. Follow the directions while peeing directly on the stick, since some brands need you to urinate on the stick for a specific amount of time. You can time it using a stopwatch. If you urinate directly on the stick, ensure the display window is facing up and that you are peeing on the absorbent section of the stick. If you prefer the cupping technique, dip the absorbent part of the test stick into the cup holding the urine and keep it there for 5 to 10 seconds, or as directed by the kit. You can also apply urine on the test stick using a dropper.
6. Let it stand for some time
You must maintain the test stick on a level surface and wait for the reaction to occur for the given length of time. Typically, the wait time is 5 to 10 minutes. So, get yourself a cup of tea and return to see the outcome. A tiny line or timer sign on the test stick may indicate that it is in good operating order. If it isn’t working well, try another one.
7. Check your result
Check the symbols to see if you’re pregnant or not. These symbols may change across brands, so see the instruction booklet included in the package. Typically, a minus or positive sign is used in a home pregnancy test kit. Consult your doctor if you receive a positive test result.
Positive Result
If your home pregnancy test yielded a positive result, you must schedule a medical checkup. Your doctor will be able to confirm the results of your home pregnancy test and start you on prenatal care.
Negative Result
If your home pregnancy test comes back negative but you haven’t gotten your period yet, you should retest in 3 to 5 days. You may have taken the pregnancy test too soon if you ovulated later in your cycle or did not accurately calculate your ovulation date. Because the quantity of hCG grows fast during pregnancy, you may have a positive test just a few days after a negative one. This is why some home pregnancy test kits include more than one test, so you may re-test if necessary.
If you took your test less than 7 days following your missed period, don’t assume that a negative result implies you’re not pregnant. You may have used the home pregnancy test too quickly. Wait a week. If you haven’t received your period by then and still have a negative test result, you should see your doctor to see if there’s something wrong.
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Accuracy
Urine home pregnancy tests are about 99% accurate. Blood tests are even more accurate.
A home test’s accuracy depends on:
- How closely do you follow the instructions
- When you ovulate, and how soon the egg implants
- How soon after pregnancy do you take the test
- The sensitivity of the pregnancy test
Conclusion
Pregnancy tests should be stored at room temperature, between 36°F and 86°F. Discard any unused pregnancy tests after the expiration date, which is marked on each sealed pregnancy test. Prolonged exposure to direct sunshine, dampness, heat, and other similar circumstances should be avoided. Please keep urine samples and used test equipment away from direct contact with objects since they are possibly contagious. It is advised that proper handling, hand washing, and prompt disposal be practised.
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