How To Use Pregnancy Test Kits Effectively

Wondering if you could be pregnant?

If you’ve missed a period or are experiencing other signs and symptoms of pregnancy, then use a pregnancy test kit at home to check if you’re pregnant. Over-the-counter pregnancy test kits are considered to be around 99% reliable if you take the test after you’ve missed a period. These kits are easy to use, affordable, and allow you to check pregnancy in the privacy of your home. 

Pregnancy test kits work by measuring the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone, which appears in the blood and urine approximately 10-14 days after conception. In the following sections, learn more about how pregnancy test kits work, when to use them, and how best to use them to get accurate results. The sooner you know that you’re pregnant, the sooner you could seek proper healthcare for yourself and your baby.

How pregnancy test kits work

Home pregnancy test kits usually test your urine for the presence of hCG, the pregnancy hormone. This hormone is present in your blood and urine only if you’re pregnant, as it is only released if a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus.

To perform a pregnancy test at home, get any of the available pregnancy test kits, open it, follow the instructions to collect your urine sample, test it as per the instructions, and wait for the recommended time to see the results. 

The way you collect your urine for the test would depend on the chosen test kit. Accordingly, you may have to:

• Collect your urine in a cup and dip a testing stick in it.

• Collect your urine in a cup and use an eyedropper to transfer a small amount of the sample into a special container.

• Place a testing stick in the path of your expected urine stream to catch your urine midstream.

After the recommended wait time is over, you should be able to see the results in one of the following ways:

• Change in color

• The appearance of a line

• The appearance of a symbol, e.g., plus or minus sign

• Display of the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant”

While most home pregnancy tests give accurate results if taken after a missed period, do visit your doctor for a blood test to confirm the pregnancy. 

Note: If you don’t have a pregnancy test kit at home, you can also make a DIY homemade pregnancy test to privately check if you’ve conceived.

How long should you wait before taking a pregnancy test?

Most home pregnancy test kits are around 99% effective if you take the test after missing a period. However, if you cannot wait that long, you could take the test after having sexual intercourse as well, though the result may not be as reliable. 

How long should you wait before taking a pregnancy test after a missed period? 

Missing a period is one of the early symptoms of pregnancy. However, you should wait until the week after your missed period to take a pregnancy test for the most accurate result.

How soon can you take a pregnancy test after having sex?

If you can’t wait until you miss a period, you could take a pregnancy test after having sex. However, you need to wait at least 1-2 weeks after having sex to use a pregnancy test kit. This is because your body needs time to develop detectable levels of hCG if you’re pregnant. This usually takes 7-12 days after the successful implantation of the fertilized egg.

If you take a test too early in your menstrual cycle, you may get an inaccurate result.

Signs that suggest you should take a pregnancy test

Here are 5 signs that suggest you should take a home pregnancy test to check if you’ve conceived:

1. You’ve missed a period

Take a pregnancy test if you’ve missed a period. 

A missed period is one of the first and most well-known signs of pregnancy. If you have irregular periods, consider taking a test if your period is more than a month late. 

If you suspect pregnancy but think you’ve got your period, note the color, texture, and amount of your flow. It’s common to experience light bleeding or spotting in the early weeks of pregnancy as the fertilized egg implants deeper into your uterine lining. 

Note: A skipped or delayed period could also be due to stress, poor diet, excessive exercise, or certain medical conditions.

2. You’re getting cramps

Take a home pregnancy test if you’re getting period-like cramps but your period doesn’t start.

During early pregnancy, while the fertilized egg implants deeper into the lining of your uterus, you could experience discomfort that feels a lot like menstrual cramps. You may think you’re about to get your period, but it never begins.  

3. Your breasts are tender and sore

If you’re experiencing the above symptoms and your breasts feel tender or sore, use a pregnancy test kit to check if you’re pregnant. 

During pregnancy, your body increases the production of estrogen and progesterone, which bring about changes in your body to support your baby’s growth and development.

Due to this:

• Your breasts may feel tender and look bigger.

• Your nipples may hurt and look darker.

• The veins may look darker under the skin.

Note: Since breast discomfort is also felt before the start of periods, this sign may not always indicate pregnancy.

4. You’re not feeling like yourself

If you experience any unusual physical symptoms in addition to the above signs, take a home pregnancy test to check if you’ve conceived.

You may experience any of the following symptoms during early pregnancy:

• Nausea

• Food aversions

• Exhaustion

• Frequent urination

Note: As the pregnancy progresses, these symptoms may get worse before your hCG levels stabilize late in the first trimester. 

5. You didn’t use a contraceptive or it failed 

In case you didn’t use a contraceptive or used it incorrectly, or your contraception failed, and you’re experiencing any of the above-mentioned signs, consider taking a home pregnancy test to confirm if you’re pregnant.

Best pregnancy test kits available in the market

Some of the best pregnancy test kits available include Prega News, I-Can, Velocity, Clearblue, Dr. Morepen, and First Response.

What’s the price of a pregnancy test kit?

Home pregnancy test kits usually cost around Rs.50 per test (±20), but it could be more based on the brand you purchase, the type of test that is performed, and the store from where you purchase it. 

How accurate are pregnancy test kits?

Pregnancy test kits are very effective when used correctly. If you take a pregnancy test a week after you miss a period, you’ll get a more accurate result.

If you took the test soon after your missed period and it is negative, but you still think you might be pregnant, repeat the test one week after your missed period or consult your doctor.

A pregnancy test will be less effective if the kit is expired or if you use it incorrectly. So, always check the expiration date before using a test and read all the instructions carefully.

Is a negative result always correct?

It is possible that you are pregnant but your home pregnancy test kit result is negative. To not get a false-negative result:

• Don’t take the test too early: If you take a pregnancy test soon after you miss a period, you may not get an accurate result as it is harder for the test to detect hCG levels in your urine. Repeat the test one week after your missed period to get the most accurate result. 

• Don’t check the test result too soon: Wait for the recommended time for the test to work before you check the result. You could set a timer according to the instructions on the pregnancy test kit.

• Don’t use diluted urine: Take the pregnancy test first thing in the morning to get the most accurate result. This is because, in the morning, your urine is the most concentrated.

Remember, while most home pregnancy test kits are very effective when taken correctly, do visit your doctor for a blood test to confirm your pregnancy.

When to See a Doctor

If your home pregnancy test is positive, make an appointment with your doctor for a blood test or ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy. The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the sooner you can start with your prenatal care. You can also consult your doctor if you've taken a few home pregnancy tests and gotten mixed results. 

You should also consult your doctor if your period doesn't start or you still think you might be pregnant but your home pregnancy test kit results continue to be negative. Several factors can cause you to miss a period, such as thyroid disorders, low body weight, ovarian problems, excessive exercise, and stress. If you're not pregnant, your doctor can help you fix your menstrual cycle.

What’s next? Calculate your due date!

Our Baby Due Date Calculator can help you determine your expected due date based on the date of your last period and the length of your typical menstrual cycle. Remember that your expected due date is just an estimate. You're just as likely to deliver your baby any day during the two weeks before or after.