Pregnancy Test Resources

Pregnancy Test Resources

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When you should take a pregnancy test

You have missed your period.

  • If you have irregular periods or don’t usually keep track of your cycle, consider a pregnancy test if it has been more than one month since your last period.
  • However, periods can sometimes be delayed or skipped due to many reasons, such as stress or diet. But sometimes it can be because of a medical condition. So, if your period starts to feel irregular, seek a medical professional.
  • You should also pay attention to your period if you suspect that you are pregnant. Spotting or light bleeding can still occur even if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you are pregnant, you can also seek medical help for a blood test.
  • You can also experience cramps while still pregnant. If you experience cramps like your period is coming, but then it never does, take a pregnancy test.

Your breasts hurt.

  • Tender breasts and nipples are often a sign of pregnancy due to the increased blood flow. However, this can also happen when you are about to start your period, or for a plethora of other reasons. But if you suspect pregnancy, and have this symptom, take a test. If your breasts continue to hurt after a period or for a significant period of time after a negative pregnancy test, seek a medical professional.

Your body is feeling different.

  • Some other signs of pregnancy can be exhaustion, frequent urination, nausea, and aversions to certain foods. However, these can also be signs of many other things as well. If you suspect you are pregnant, take a test. If you continue to feel ill, seek a medical professional.

Your contraception failed.

  • Many contraceptive devices don’t provide a one hundred percent protection from pregnancy. Pregnancy can still occur, even if you are very careful.
  • Therefore, consider taking a test if you’ve experienced any of the above even while using contraception.
  • If your condom appeared broken or torn, make sure to keep an eye on symptoms and take a pregnancy test.

How to use a pregnancy test

Instructions

  1. Remove the plastic cap to expose the absorbent piece
  2. Point the absorbent tip directly into the urine steam. Try to hold the test in the stream for at least 7-10 seconds. Or collect the urine into a clean container, and dip half of the absorbent pad into the urine for 10 seconds.
  3. Re-cap the device and place it horizontally on a clean, flat surface.
  4. Wait the recommended time for the test (usually around 5 minutes) to look at the result.
  5. Check your test to see what will indicate a positive or negative.

Tips

  • If you are using a stick test that doesn’t have a cap, it is recommended to do the cup collection method, stick the absorbent end into the cup, wait ten seconds, and then lay the test on a paper towel as it processes.
  • If you are using a cup for collection, make sure it is a clean plastic or glass cup.
  • If the test you are using is one that indicates pregnancy with two lines or a plus sign, a faint line is still a positive. If the line is too faint for you to tell, wait two days, and take another.