FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PREGNANCY PART 2

How do you do a home preg-
Q: How accurate are home preg-
nancy test?
nancy tests?
A:
There are many different types of home
pregnancy tests, or HPTs. Most drug-
stores sell HPTs over-the-counter.
They cost between $8 and $20 depend-
ing on the brand and how many tests
A:
Home pregnancy tests (HPTs) can be
quite accurate. But the accuracy
depends on many things. These
include:
●
How you use them – Be sure to fol-
come in the box.
Most popular HPTs work in a similar
way. The majority tell the user to hold
a stick in the urine stream. Others
low the directions and check the
expiration date.
●
When you use them – The amount
of hCG or pregnancy hormone in
involve collecting urine in a cup and
your urine increases with time. So,
then dipping the stick into it. At least
the earlier after a missed period you
one brand tells the woman to collect
take the test the harder it is to spot
urine in a cup and then put a few drops
the hCG. If you wait one week after
into a special container with a dropper.
a missed period to test, you are more
Testing the urine first thing in the
morning may help boost accuracy.
Then the woman needs to wait a few
minutes. Different brands instruct the
apt to have an accurate result. Also,
testing your urine first thing in the
morning may boost the accuracy.
●
Who uses them – The amount of
woman to wait different amounts of
hCG in the urine is different for
time. Once the time has passed, the user
every pregnant woman. So, some
should inspect the “result window.” If a
women will have accurate results on
line or plus symbol appears, you are
pregnant. It does not matter how faint
the line is. A line, whether bold or faint,
means the result is positive.
the day of the missed period while
others will need to wait longer.
●
The brand of test – Some home
Most tests also have a “control indica -
tor” in the result window. This line or
symbol shows whether the test is work -
ing or not. If the control indicator does
not appear, the test is not working
properly. You should not rely on any
results from a HPT that may be faulty.
pregnancy tests are more sensitive
than others. So, some tests are better
than others at spotting hCG early
on.
Many HPTs claim to be 99% accurate
on the day you miss your period. But
research suggests that most HPTs do
Most brands tell users to repeat the test
not consistently spot pregnancy that
in a few days, no matter what the
early. And when they do, the results are
results. One negative result (especially
soon after a missed period) does not
always mean you’re not pregnant. All
HPTs come with written instructions.
Most tests also have toll-free phone
numbers to call incase of questions
about use or results.
often very faint.
In a 2004 study, researchers tested the
accuracy of 18 HPTs sold in retail
stores. They found that only one brand
consistently detected the low levels of
hCG usually present on the first day of
the missed period.