How do pregnancy test kits work

It is released when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. HCG can be present in the blood and urine around 10 to 14 days after conception. It peaks between 8 and 11 weeks of gestation. Pregnancy tests involve testing urine or blood. A urine test can be self-administered at home, but a medical professional must perform a blood test. A home test involves placing the urine on a chemical strip.

The result is ready in around 1 to 2 minutes, although different brands of test may vary in the result times. The individual collects urine in a container and either dips the pregnancy test stick into it or uses an eyedropper to place the sample on the test strip.

Each brand of testing has its own way of giving results, so it is important to read the package insert to find out how to understand the results. However, it is more expensive, the results can take time, and the test must be completed in a medical office.

The earliest time for taking a home urine test is 14 days after possible conception, but waiting until a missed period will give a more reliable result. This is because consuming a lot of liquids before taking the test, can lead to a false negative, even if the woman is pregnant. Used correctly, a urine pregnancy test should be around 99 percent accurate. However, incorrect use can result in an inaccurate reading. A positive home pregnancy test simply means that HCG is present in the urine, while a negative test can have a variety of meanings.

Negative tests can mean that there is no pregnancy, or they can mean that the test was either taken too early to detect HCG, or that it was not done correctly. If the result is positive, the woman should make an appointment to see a healthcare professional, who can guide her about the next steps.

Repeat test with a new device. Discard unused pregnancy tests after the expiration date, which is stamped on each sealed pregnancy test. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, moisture, heat, and other related conditions.

Proper handling, hand washing, and immediate disposal is recommended. Skip to main content Time to Conceive. It doubles every 36 to 48 hours as your pregnancy progresses, reaching its peak at eight to ten weeks. Pregnancy tests work by detecting the hCG hormone in your urine. When your urine comes in contact with the specially treated strip on a pregnancy test stick, results appear within minutes, indicating whether or not hCG, the pregnancy hormone, has been detected.

What happens when the pregnancy test detects the hCG hormone differs slightly by the brand and type of test. For example, some kits will show 2 bold lines if positive and 1 bold line if negative. These indicators differ among pregnancy test kits. How accurate are these pregnancy test kits? Font size. User name field is required Password field is required. Forgot password? Don't have an account? Sign up! News Video. Welcome back! Set font size.