How does a pregnancy test work?
A pregnancy test measures the presence of the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) in your urine. HCG is produced in the placenta shortly after the embryo attaches to the uterine lining. This hormone then builds up rapidly in your body in the days following successful conception.
When should I do the test?
The test can be taken at any time of the day. However, we do recommend that you test first thing in the morning when your urine is most concentrated. Do not drink large amounts of fluid in an attempt to increase the volume of urine as this may dilute the urine making HCG more difficult to detect.
What does the test result look like?
How long will it take before I can read the result?
You can read the results in under 5 minutes and a positive result can often be seen in under 30 seconds. However, the full reaction time of 10 minutes is required to confirm a negative result.
What is the difference between home tests and those done by a doctor?
Many doctors and clinics use our pregnancy tests anyway, in which case they are exactly the same. Occasionally, some women may be given a blood test, but they are not very different from our pregnancy tests either as both types look for the presence of HCG in your body. What should I do with my results?
If your pregnancy test results are positive, you should consult your doctor to discuss your pregnancy and what steps and precautions should be taken next. In addition, if your test is negative and you still suspect you may be pregnant, you may want to confirm your test results with another pregnancy test a few days later.
If I see 2 lines but one is fainter than the other is this a positive result?
Yes, if 2 lines appear you are pregnant no matter how faint the lines appear. Our 10mIU tests have been designed to identify very early when you are pregnant and the test line will be fainter than the control line until you have been pregnant for about 4 weeks by which time the test line will be as dark or darker than the control line. This ensures our tests do not give false positives which is very important when you want to know if you are pregnant or not.
Can anything affect the results of these tests? Drinking alcohol, painkillers, oral contraceptives, antibiotics and other common drugs will not affect the result of these tests. Only medicines that contain HCG can produce a false positive result. If you are unsure about your result or your period has still not arrived you should see your doctor for advice.
How good are these tests?