No matter how prepared you are, pregnancy can be daunting. This is particularly true if you think you may be pregnant but are not in a position to purchase a pregnancy kit immediately. A homemade pregnancy test is a good solution to this problem. While the results may not be accurate, they can give you an idea before consulting a doctor or purchasing a commercial test kit. Keep reading to discover more about homemade pregnancy tests and ways to use them. Show
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When To Take A Pregnancy TestYou must take a pregnancy test a week after you have missed your periods for the most accurate results. This duration must be maintained because the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone for maternal recognition of pregnancy, appears in maternal blood after 6-8 days of implantation. The tests detect the presence of HCG in your urine to determine if you are pregnant (1). If you don’t want to wait until your periods to know whether you are expecting or not, wait for at least a week or two after having had sex and retake the test. Repeat the test in a couple of days to reconfirm the results. Also, do not drink too much water before a test to prevent diluting the urine. This may not give you accurate results. It is better to test your first urine in the morning. Keep reading to learn how to detect pregnancy with homemade tests. Best Homemade Pregnancy TestsNote: All these tests are based on anecdotal evidence. We strongly recommend you to use a pregnancy kit and consult a doctor. 1. Urine Pregnancy TestYou Will Need
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How It May Work After 24 hours, if you see a small frothy/ foamy layer on top, you might be pregnant. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a frothy layer may indicate the presence of the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) hormone, which is usually secreted when you are pregnant. 2. Sugar Pregnancy TestYou Will Need
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How It May Work If the sugar dissolves in the urine, you can rule out the chances of pregnancy. But if it begins to clump, it may be an indication of pregnancy. The presence of the HCG hormone in your urine may lead to the clumping of sugar. 3. Bleach Pregnancy Test
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How It May Work Anecdotal evidence suggests that you might be pregnant if it foams or you observe any reaction/changes in the bleach. The urine may react with bleach due to the presence of the HCG hormone. However, if there is no reaction, the result may be negative. 4. Toothpaste Pregnancy TestYou Will Need
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How It May Work It is believed that if the toothpaste turns light blue or becomes frothy, you might be pregnant. However, if there are no reactions and the toothpaste dissolves in the urine, the result might be negative. 5. Strips Pregnancy Test
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How It May Work Two colored lines on the strip indicate pregnancy, while a single line indicates a negative result. If there are no lines, the test is invalid and you have to try again. 6. Salt Pregnancy TestYou Will Need
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How It May Work Anecdotal evidence suggests that clumped salt may be a sign of pregnancy. This is because the salt reacts with the HCG hormone and clumps. However, if the salt dissolves without clumping, the test is negative. 7. Shampoo Pregnancy Test
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How It May Work If you observe any change in the color, it hints at a positive pregnancy. But in the absence of any such changes, the result may be probably negative. However, the exact mechanism or logic behind this test is unclear. 8. Soap Pregnancy TestYou Will Need
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How It May Work It is said that when the HCG hormone comes in contact with the soap, it may react and form bubbles or froth, which indicates a probable pregnancy. But in the absence of this hormone, the soap will not changes and remain intact, thus indicating a negative result. 9. Vinegar Pregnancy Test
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How It May Work Anecdotal evidence suggests that vinegar changes color on reacting with the HCG hormone in the urine if you are pregnant. But if it doesn’t change color, it rules out chances of pregnancy. 10. Dandelion Pregnancy Test
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What You Have To Do Place the dandelion leaves in the urine and observe them after 10 minutes. How It May Work It is believed that the dandelion leaves may develop red marks after reacting with HCG, indicating pregnancy. However, if they do not change color, you may not be pregnant. 11. Pregnancy Test Using A Basal Body ThermometerYou Will Need A basal body thermometer What You Have To Do
How It May Work It is said that if the thermometer shows a basal body temperature of 98.6°F or 37°C, there is a chance that you may be pregnant. The basal body temperature usually increases during ovulation and decreases if you don’t conceive. But if you are pregnant, it continues to remain high. The above-mentioned homemade pregnancy tests are not backed by any scientific research and may not be accurate. So, if you think you are pregnant, it is better to check using a pregnancy kit and consult a doctor. What To Do After Taking A Home Pregnancy TestIf you test negative for pregnancy but have not yet got your periods, you must:
If your pregnancy test is positive, here is what you should be doing:
You need to work with your doctor throughout the pregnancy to ensure the journey is safe for you and the child. Here are some early signs to check out for during pregnancy. Early Signs And Symptoms Of PregnancyWhen you are pregnant, your body experience changes, and as a result, you may experience:
Although these symptoms have been observed in many pregnant women, they might also occur when you are about to get your periods (PMS) or could even be an indication of an underlying condition. It is best to consult a doctor and get yourself tested. These homemade pregnancy tests are not foolproof methods but based on anecdotal evidence. These tests may not be accurate, but they provide an outlet for you to check if you are pregnant. Although there is no risk in experimenting with these measures, you should not rely on their outcomes. We highly recommend you consult your healthcare provider and take a pregnancy test as advised by them. This will help you assess your situation promptly and follow the right medical advice to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is a finger test in pregnancy? The finger test in pregnancy refers to checking for the firmness of your cervix by inserting your finger through the vaginal opening. The cervix should feel firm to the touch if you are not pregnant and soft if you are pregnant. In addition, your cervix may be at a higher position if you have conceived as opposed to being lower as is usual before menstruation. How does a pregnant belly feel in early pregnancy? Your belly may feel rounded, bloated, and full due to the effect of progesterone, a pregnancy hormone. What does early pregnancy discharge look like? Early pregnancy discharge may look like pale-yellow mucus, or it may look sticky or white. What part of your stomach hurts in early pregnancy? The lower portion of the stomach may hurt during the first trimester of pregnancy. When do most pregnancy symptoms start? Some pregnancy symptoms start within a few days of conception whereas other early symptoms may begin after around a week from conception. Can I take a pregnancy test at night? Yes, you may take a pregnancy test at night. However, it is advisable to take it early in the morning as the pregnancy hormone may be present in the urine in higher concentrations at that time. Key Takeaways
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Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest... more Dr. Bhawna Agarwal is a highly renowned gynecologist with more than 17 years of experience. Her expertise in normal and... more Can sugar make a pregnancy test positive?A person may see the sugar clump into one large group or form several smaller clumps. There is no evidence that this actually indicates a positive test, as there is no reason to believe that hCG reacts to sugar in this way. Home pregnancy tests use a variety of chemicals to react with hCG in urine.
Does sugar dissolve in urine if pregnant?Now notice how sugar reacts after you pour urine on it. If the sugar starts forming clumps, it means you are pregnant and if the sugar dissolves quickly, it means you are not pregnant. The hCG hormone released from the urine does not allow the sugar to dissolve properly.
How can I check if I'm pregnant without a pregnancy test?Classic signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Missed period. If you're in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. ... . Tender, swollen breasts. ... . Nausea with or without vomiting. ... . Increased urination. ... . Fatigue.. How does a positive sugar pregnancy test look?Positive result for a pregnancy test with sugar
So, for a supposedly positive result, the female will see clumps of sugar in the bottom of the cup or bowl. There is no actual clarification on whether there will be large or small clumps in a positive result.
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