How to use pregnancy kit

At home pregnancy test kits have made life easier for women around the world. Home test pregnancy kits can help a woman in confirming whether she has conceived or not. This early information can help them make a well thought decision about their pregnancy and also take a needed action before it's too late.

Timely confirmation of pregnancy is very crucial for both starting antenatal care (ANC) for women who want to become pregnant and for women who don't want to become pregnant to seek out abortion services before going past the maximum gestational age permitted by law.

With the help of this little device, women can now easily take their pregnancy test from the comfort of their home. Taking a pregnancy test is always advised by doctors as soon as you skip a period or suspect you could be pregnant.

How to take pregnancy test

You can confirm pregnancy both at home and at a clinical step up. Generally at home you can have a home testing kid that requires a urine sample while in the clinic, the test can be done both through blood and urine performed by a medical professional. 

The pregnancy test kits are sensitive to a hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), that your body releases six days after the fertilization in your blood and urine. The hormone is detectable once it starts to concentrate in your bloodstream and urine which is then read by the pregnancy kits. HCG takes a little longer to show up on pee testing. 

HCG production starts out gradually and picks up as the pregnancy progresses. When the hCG level reaches 20 to 50 milliunits/milliliter, a pregnancy test will detect it and show it in the reading. For the first eight to ten weeks of pregnancy, HCG levels rise quickly (nearly doubling every three days).

How to do at-home pregnancy test

Most at-home pregnancy tests are packaged in a box with one or two long sticks. After a few minutes, the urine you put on the stick will show up the reading there. 

• First and foremost, check the directions in or on the box before using one of these over-the-counter pregnancy test kits as each one operates somewhat differently. 
• Remember that as your pregnancy advances, at-home tests become more reliable because hCG levels rise over time. As a result, a home pregnancy test performed too soon might not identify low hCG levels and could result in a false negative, which means the result is incorrect.

Instructions for use

• Take out the kit and look for an absorbent window that may be secured with a removable plastic cap.
• Collect your urine through the following methods for the test. Depending on the test you choose, you can;
• The five tiny apertures on the absorbent tip should be pointed straight into your urine stream. To guarantee that the testing instrument collects an adequate sample, keep it there for at least 7 to 10 seconds till you catch enough samples. 
• Fill a clean container with your pee, then immerse the absorbent pad half way in for at least 10 seconds.
• Collect your pee in a cup and use an eyedropper to dispense a small amount of your pee onto the absorbent pad.
• Put the kit's cap back on and lay it flat on a clean, flat surface. Allow the test to process for 5 minutes.

Test negative: Not pregnant

If no sharp and distinct line shows up in the Test (T) region against the already printed reference line present on the top Control (C) section, the test is considered negative. One should wait and retake the test either when the urine is much concentrated as the first urine of the day or after waiting a few days more to let the hCG hormone show up in your urine.  

Test positivity: Possible pregnancy

If a sharp and distinct color line/bands appears in the Test (T) section against the already present reference line Control, the test is considered positive for possible pregnancy. 

If you are finding it difficult to read, look for the intensity of the color bands. Typically, the test line's intensity is a little bit lower than that of the control line. Compared to a single reading, the test line's pattern of rising intensity is a significantly better indicator of pregnancy.

No clear visible lines: Invalid test

Discard the test if there is no discernible line(s) in the Test region. Consider taking a test again using a new kit.

After use

Always dispose-off the kit carefully and safely after use. Before trapping, wrap the used test equipment in a paper to avoid direct contact with objects as they may be contagious. It is advised to handle the item properly, and discard it right away. Do not forget to wash your hands.

When to take pregnancy test

It is equally important to know when to take a pregnancy as to how to take a pregnancy test. If you have recently had participated in a sexual intercourse and your periods have been missed or delayed past your usual monthly cycle, that typically lasts 28 days for many women, think about getting tested.

Remember that stress, dietary restrictions, physical activity, or specific medical issues might occasionally cause your period to be skipped or delayed. 

If you suspect you are pregnant, pay attention to your flow as well. Light bleeding or spotting is typical in the first few weeks. Signs and symptoms such as morning sickness, tender breasts, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to particular smell and taste, craving for certain food items or repulsion are some of the many tell away signs of pregnancy. 

Consider taking when you miss period or if you are not sure about your next menstruation date then 21 days after your last incident of unprotected intercourse.

Conclusion

Being sure of your pregnancy has become very simple and easy with at-home pregnancy kits that give you results instantly within 5 mins. If you suspect a pregnancy but your kit shows negative results, take a retest with your first pee of the day or wait a few more days to get your hGC levels traceable by the apparatus. Also, you can take an expert help and get yourself tested at a clinic by a healthcare professional.