For most women, the excitement and curiosity surrounding whether or not they are pregnant is simply too overwhelming to want to wait on a visit to the doctor—they want to know if they are pregnant, and they want to know right now. With an at home pregnancy test women are able to find out if they are pregnant as soon as possible, in the comfort and privacy of their own home but making sure you get accurate results is crucial. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure accurate pregnancy test results:
Understand the Directions and Follow Them Closely
At home pregnancy tests are relatively straightforward. Most of the time it simply involves holding the test strip within the urine stream for a short amount of time and waiting for the results. Different manufacturers may require subtle differences in timing so make sure you careful understand how long you should hold the test strip, how much water you should drink before taking the test, and how long it will take for the results to show. Zoom Baby Pregnancy Tests are amongst the best pregnancy tests on the market right now. We sell the in packs of 10, 20 and 40 Pregnancy Tests.
Take Your Test When You Wake Up
Whether you work night or days, it’s important to take your pregnancy test as soon as you wake up from your longest period of rest. This is the best time to take a pregnancy test. The reason being, pregnancy tests detect levels of the hormone hCG within urine to determine pregnancy and the hCG levels are more concentrated in the urine the longer it has been in the bladder. So, if you work shifts, you should take the test after you wake up to begin your day, or when you haven’t been to the loo in a number of hours. If you work more conventional hours, take the test in the morning, when you wake up, when you go to the toilet first time on rising.
Avoid Common Mistakes
While pregnancy tests are straightforward, it’s easy to make simple mistakes that affect accuracy. Be mindful of these pitfalls:
Taking the test too early – Today’s pregnancy tests can detect low hCG levels very early. But for the most reliable results, wait until the first day of your expected period before testing. Testing earlier could show a false negative.
Drinking too much fluid beforehand – Don’t chug water right before taking the test as very diluted urine might not contain enough hCG to register positive. Stick to normal hydration.
Not collecting urine mid-stream – The most concentrated urine contains the highest hormone levels. Let some urine flow first rather than collecting the initial spurt.
Not reading results in time window – Test results are only valid for the duration specified on the instructions, usually around 2-10 minutes. Avoid misreading old results by discarding after the window ends.
Misinterpreting faint lines – Any visible second line on a pregnancy test, even very faint, indicates a positive. But beware ambiguous scratches that may get mistaken for positives.
Performing test incorrectly – Not collecting enough urine, holding strip improperly, or misplacing drops could compromise results. Carefully follow all manufacturer guidelines.
Expecting immediate results – Two lines do not typically appear instantly; allow full reaction time before despairing over a blank result window.
Confusing ovulation tests with pregnancy tests – Similar formats cause occasional mix-ups, but ovulation tests check a different hormone and should not be used to determine pregnancy status.
Not confirming with doctor – Home pregnancy tests effectively detect pregnancy in most cases when properly performed. Nevertheless, visit your doctor to confirm results and begin prenatal care. At-home tests occasionally deliver inaccurate readings.
Avoiding these common mistakes takes a bit more care and patience. But putting in that effort means you can rely confidently on the home pregnancy test results. A confirmed positive result provides an exciting glimpse into the future. And a reliable negative allows menstrual cycles to progress worry-free. Either outcome is empowering when you can trust the test!
Of course, when uncertainty remains even after careful testing, consult your doctor right away. Any symptoms suggestive of pregnancy warrant a visit, regardless of home test findings. Keep the lines of communication open.
While home pregnancy tests are generally reliable, it’s worth noting that certain medical conditions and medications can affect results. Conditions like ovarian cysts or ectopic pregnancies may cause false positives, whilst some fertility treatments containing hCG could skew outcomes. Additionally, certain medications like antihistamines, antidepressants, or diuretics might interfere with test accuracy.
If you’re taking any medication or have a pre-existing condition, it’s best to chat with your GP before relying solely on home test results. They can advise on potential impacts and may recommend a blood test for definitive answers. Remember, your health history is unique, so personalised medical advice is always a smart move when it comes to family planning.
Do Not Use the Same Test More Than Once
This is extremely important. Once you use your pregnancy test, it’s time to throw it away after you see the results because the test is intended for a single use. If you reuse the same test twice you could end up seeing false positives.
Purchase a New Pregnancy Test
Methods and technology have advanced the home pregnancy test market and allow for more accurate results that can be determined as soon as a day or two into pregnancy. Old pregnancy tests, however, will typically not give accurate results until weeks into the pregnancy.
As a result, it’s important that you don’t use a pregnancy test that is sitting on the back of a shelf, covered in dust nor do you want to use a pregnancy test that you purchased 5 years ago. Purchase a new pregnancy test to get the best results possible and always remember that if you suspect you are pregnant (even if you don’t get a positive result on your at home pregnancy test) you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Pregnancy Tests are now much cheaper than they ever have been. Some of the best pregnancy tests can be bought for under a fiver!
High Street pregnancy tests may not have all of the features as those produced by Clearblue and First Response, but they are a good budget option. Chemists such as Boots and Wilko offer own-brand pregnancy tests, whilst supermarkets such as Asda and Sainsbury’s also have a range.
Photo Credit: “This 99 cent store has TWO pregnancy tes” (CC BY 2.0) by On the White Line
Zoom Baby is a leading supplier of Pregnancy Tests and Ovulation Test Kits
