Home pregnancy test
pregnancy test · pregnancy test strip · how to take a pregnancy test · two lines on a pregnancy test
A home test looks for the pregnancy hormone in urine. If it is there, a second line or a sign appears.
If your period is late or you think you may be pregnant.
⏱ Duration: the test itself takes a few minutes; read the result after the time given in the instructions
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- When. It is most accurate from the first day of a missed period. Earlier, the test may not show it yet.
- Time of day. Morning is best, with your first urine. It has more hormone.
- Water. Do not drink a lot of water before the test. It dilutes the urine.
- Instructions. Read the instructions. Different tests have different waiting times.
What to bring
- A test that has not expired
- A clock or timer
- A clean, dry cup, if needed
How it goes
- Wash your hands and open the test right before using it
- Hold the tip in your urine stream or dip it in the cup, for as many seconds as the instructions say
- Lay the test flat with the window facing up
- Wait for the time in the instructions
- Read the result. The control line should always appear
What you'll feel
- Nothing. The test is painless
- Waiting can be nerve-racking. That is normal
Afterwards
- Two lines, even faint ones, usually mean pregnancy. Make an appointment with a gynecologist
- One line but still no period: repeat the test in 2 to 3 days
- No control line means the test is faulty. Use a new one
- A result that shows up after the time in the instructions does not count
Contact a doctor straight away if
- A positive test and severe lower belly pain, especially on one side: call emergency services
- A positive test with bleeding, weakness, or fainting: call emergency services
Common questions
The second line is very faint. Am I pregnant?
Most likely yes. It is just very early. Repeat the test in 2 days or have a blood hCG test.
Can the test be wrong?
A negative one can be, if it is too early. A positive one is rarely wrong. Either way, a doctor will confirm.