Home Pregnancy Tests

Written by Katelyn Schwanke (last updated February 2, 2009)

Whether you are trying to get pregnant or not, it is important for you to understand the basics behind home pregnancy tests and the products available to you.

Home pregnancy tests work by doing a home urinalysis that tests for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotroprin. Human chorionic gonadotropin is only released when an egg has been fertilized. This hormone is usually released in significant amounts about a week after conception.

The majority of home pregnancy tests available in your local grocery store work similarly. As you urinate you will place the tip of the pregnancy test under stream of urine or dip the end in a cup of urine for 10-15 seconds. Almost instantaneously you will see a plus or minus sign appear or the words pregnant of not pregnant appear. For best results, test a week after your missed period. Be aware that although home pregnancy tests are relatively reliable there is a risk of getting a false positive or a false negative (false negatives occur more frequently than false positives). After you have taken a home pregnancy test, confirm with a blood test when you go into see your physician.

Top rated home pregnancy tests include First Response Early Result (available for 15 dollars with two test strips), Fact Plus Select (available for 16 dollars with two test strips), and Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test (available for 20 dollars with two test strips). You may find that it is cheaper to order pregnancy tests through amazon.com. Speak to your doctor or check consumer reports (found online) for current information on the best and most accurate pregnancy tests available on the market.

Once you have confirmed that you are pregnant, you can feel comfortable telling friends and family of your exciting news and begin the preparation for your new baby.

Author Bio

Katelyn Schwanke

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