Do you just have a gut feeling you’re pregnant? Are you stuck at home but want to find out if you’re pregnant right now? Show
Homemade pregnancy tests have been around since before over-the-counter tests were available. They’re a quick, fun way to test for a pregnancy without having to run to the store. We’ve spoken with women of all ages to learn more about the old-school methods of home pregnancy testing. We’ve spent hours scouring the internet to find out all we can about current home testing trends. And we’ve studied the statistics and the science behind these tests to answer all your questions. We’ll cover how accurate homemade pregnancy tests are, explaining how they work, when you should take them, and what to do if you get a positive result. Keep In Mind All homemade pregnancy tests are anecdotal, and there is no scientific evidence to prove that they are accurate. Be sure to keep in mind that these tests are just for fun. If you think you may be pregnant, a store-bought test or a visit to your doctor are still the most reliable ways to get confirmation. How Accurate Are Homemade Pregnancy Tests?No pregnancy test (including over-the-counter tests) is 100 percent accurate. It’s important to remember that although homemade pregnancy tests are fun, they are not scientifically proven pregnancy testing methods. Always confirm your pregnancy with a blood test or ultrasound through your OB-GYN or midwife. Also, homemade tests are trickier to read, and one person could interpret the results differently from another. You can also have false-negative or false-positive results. False-negatives A false-negative means your test was negative, but you are indeed pregnant. This can happen if you test too early, checked the results too soon, misinterpreted the results, or your urine was too diluted. A false-positive means your test results were positive, but you are not pregnant. This kind of result is rare but could happen if you misinterpreted the results, took the test too soon after taking a fertility drug with hCG, or had a pregnancy loss soon after the fertilized egg attached to the uterine wall (1). It’s always a good idea to take a few homemade tests rather than just one. If you get mixed results, wait a few days or a week, and retake the test, or use a store-bought home pregnancy test. Be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider to confirm your pregnancy and start your prenatal care. How Do Homemade Pregnancy Tests Work?Homemade pregnancy tests work the same way as any over-the-counter pregnancy test — by detecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). If you test positive, you may observe a chemical reaction between hCG in your urine and the substance you are using to test. Your cells start to produce the hCG hormone when they start creating the placenta. This hormone increases rapidly early in pregnancy and enters your bloodstream and urine, confirming conception (2). When Should I Take the Test?Take Note To get the most accurate results, it is wise to wait until at least a week after your missed period before testing. It is also best to test first thing in the morning, as your urine will have a higher concentration of the hCG hormone. However, not every woman will have a missed period, and some women experience implantation bleeding, which could be mistaken for a period. If you absolutely can’t wait for your missed period, then you can take a test as early as two weeks after conception. If you get a negative result, wait five days and retake the test. Early Signs Of PregnancyIt may also be time to take a pregnancy test if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
How to Make a Homemade Pregnancy TestHere are seven pregnancy tests you can make at home with instructions for taking them and interpreting the results. Remember, none of these tests have been proven scientifically. The only reliable ways to confirm pregnancy are through store-bought pregnancy tests or a visit to your doctor. For best results, use your first-morning urine and make sure your products are not expired. 1. Urine In A Jar Pregnancy TestFor this test, you need a clear jar (or cup) and your urine.
Positive Result: A thin white layer has formed at the top of the urine. 2. Sugar Pregnancy TestAnother cheap way to test the hCG in your urine and confirm your pregnancy is by using sugar.
Positive Result: sugar clumps together, does not dissolve. 3. Toothpaste Pregnancy TestEveryone brushes their teeth. So, if you have nothing else in your house, you can use your toothpaste for your pregnancy test. But be sure to use white toothpaste for this test.
Positive Result: the toothpaste starts to turn blue and begins to foam or froth. 4. Bleach Pregnancy TestBleach can be used to determine if you are expecting or not. Use plain bleach for this test; do not use scented or chlorine-free bleach. Since bleach is a potentially hazardous chemical, you will need to take some precautions to use this safely. Wear gloves, a mask, and old clothes when handling bleach, especially if you think you might be pregnant. It is also best to run this test outside rather than in a confined space.
Positive Result: the mixture will start bubbling or fizzing up. Take Note Please be careful while mixing bleach with urine as urine contains ammonia. When mixed, especially in larger quantities, ammonia and bleach form toxic fumes (3). 5. White Vinegar Pregnancy TestWhite vinegar is another product most people have at home, and it can also be used as a DIY pregnancy test.
Positive result: a change in color. 6. Dandelion Leaves Pregnancy TestWho knew that the nature in your backyard could help you determine if you’re growing a human inside of you or not?
Positive Result: red spots or red blisters appear on the surface of the leaves. 7. Baking Soda Gender TestIf you already know you’re pregnant but just can’t wait to find out the gender, you can use another common household kitchen item — baking soda — to see what you’re having. This is an old wives tale, but it might be fun to do!
If it fizzles like beer or soda, you’re probably having a boy. If there is little to no reaction, you are probably having a girl. Remember These tests are not 100 percent reliable or scientifically proven and should only be done for fun. Perform a pregnancy test using a home test kit, and confirm your results with your midwife or OB-GYN. What if It’s Positive?You will probably experience an overload of mixed feelings once you see that positive result. You may be overjoyed — especially if you’ve been trying for a long time. You might be feeling frightened, scared, or even disappointed. All these feelings are totally normal, and it’s common to experience several or all of them at once. Talk to someone about how you’re feeling — your partner, a friend, a parent, or your doctor. It helps to have someone to share your experience with. Here are nine more things you should do once you find out you’re pregnant:
Share Your ExperienceHomemade pregnancy tests have been around for centuries and are a quick, inexpensive, and fun way to see if you’re pregnant. However, no homemade or over-the-counter pregnancy tests are 100% accurate. Be sure to follow up any test results with your OB-GYN or midwife to confirm your pregnancy and start prenatal care. Have you ever tried any of these homemade pregnancy tests? Were your results accurate? Share your experiences with us and the rest of the Mom Loves Best community. Feedback: Was This Article Helpful? Thank You For Your Feedback! Thank You For Your Feedback! Is it better to dip or pee on a pregnancy test?Should I dip my home pregnancy test in urine, or pee on it? Most tests allow you to either place the absorbent tip in your urine stream for (usually) five seconds or dip the tip in a collected urine sample for five to 20 seconds. Accuracy is not dependent on the method as long as you follow the instructions.
How do you properly take a pregnancy test?Point the absorbent tip (with 5 small openings) directly into the urine stream. Take the sample for at least 7-10 seconds, to ensure that an adequate sample is collected by the testing device. (Another technique is to collect the urine into a clean container and dip half of the absorbent pad for at least 10 seconds.)
What should you not do before pregnancy test?For the same reason that you should test first thing in the morning, you should also avoid chugging water before taking a pregnancy test. "Drinking water—or any fluids—can, in fact, affect the results of this kind of at-home pregnancy test when very early in the pregnancy.
How long do I need to hold my pee for a pregnancy test?Using your first morning urine when possible. This is the time of day when your hCG levels will be the most concentrated and easily detected. If you do it at another time of day, try and make sure your urine has been in your bladder for at least four hours.
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