AT-HOME PREGNANCY TEST
- Druzycare
- May 29, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 12, 2024
PREGNANCY TEST
A pregnancy test helps to confirm if a woman is pregnant or not, and the test may be carried out at home using urine or in a laboratory using blood.
A pregnancy test strip, also known as a one-step HCG urine test, can be used at home without any difficulty by reading the instructions on the pack, and it is not expensive.
A pregnancy test strip works by measuring the level of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), produced by the embryo to maintain the pregnancy. HCG is usually present in the urine and blood for about 10-14 days after conception.
STEP TO TAKE WHILE USING THE TEST STRIP
1. Use a clean, dry container to collect urine. Early morning urine, preferably, although it can still be done at any time of the day.
2. Remove the test strip from the sealed plastic wrap, ensuring that your hands are clean.
3. Hold the test strip at the colored end. Do not touch the arrow end or the test window part.
4. Immerse the end of the strip, holding the strip vertically with the arrows, into the urine. Do not pass the max line.
5. Immerse the strip just for about 5seconds, and then remove when the urine moves to the test window.
6. If you are using a test strip with a dropper, drop some urine into the small hole at the end of the strip.
7. Place the strip flat on a clean, dry, and non-absorbent surface.
RESULTS
You have to wait for about 10 minutes to check the result. You will notice that a colored solution moved across the test strip.
NEGATIVE RESULT: A test strip result with only one line, which is the control line, means that you are not pregnant. This occur when HCG is not present in the body. If you have missed your period and feel that you are pregnant, the test can be repeated a week after.
POSITIVE RESULT: test strip result with two lines, which are the control line and test line means that you are pregnant although the intensity in the test regions may vary depending on the concentration of HCG present in the specimen.
INVALID RESULT: A test strip result with no line at all or with a line showing on the test line means that the result is not valid. You may have to repeat the test again using the same strip; if it still remains the same, use another strip or check another time.
FALSE POSITIVE/NEGATIVE: There may be instances when the result of the test strip may be false, either false positive or false negative. Things that may cause this includes.
Excessive fluid intake and over diluted urine may contain low level of HCG.
Trophoblastic disease and non- Trophoblastic neoplasms e.g. breast cancer or lung cancer. All these disorders can lead to elevated levels of HCG which in turn give a false pregnancy result.
Fertility or contraceptive drugs that contains HCG may give a false positive result.
HCG remains in the body after birth or a miscarriage.
A faulty test kit.
An expired test kit.
PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE USING A TEST STRIP
1. Read the instructions for use carefully before you perform the test.
2. Check the expiration date and throw away if expired.
3.Ensure that the test strip is sealed in a pack.
4. Do not reuse strip.
5. Discard appropriately in a dustbin after you have used the strip.
MY PREGNANCY JOURNEY is a highly recommended journal to keep records of growth, development and feelings during pregnancy for future references. Purchase your downloadable pregnancy journal.
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