Did you know that there weren’t many pregnancy test kits available in the olden days and that women widely used homemade pregnancy tests to confirm their pregnancy? While these homemade pregnancy tests were not as precise as modern at-home pregnancy test kits and clinical blood tests, they were still considered simple, non-medical methods to confirm conception, and are even used by some to this date.
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If you are curious to know more about these tests, I have for you some unconventional ways to check pregnancy at home and simple homemade tests. But first, let’s begin by discussing the basics and learning about a pregnancy test.
What Is A Pregnancy Test?
Pregnancy tests are designed to determine if your urine contains a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is released right after a fertilised egg implants on your uterine lining and keeps doubling every 2-3 days.
You can take the pregnancy test at home, or at a hospital. You can also opt for natural homemade pregnancy tests that do not require pregnancy test kits to confirm your conception.
Why Go For Home Pregnancy Tests?
Here are a few reasons you can consider a home pregnancy test to confirm whether you are pregnant or not.
- A natural pregnancy test is useful when we’re talking about an unplanned pregnancy because it gives quick results.
- If you’re shy of asking for a pregnancy test at a pharmacy, then you can check for pregnancy at home with natural ingredients.
- If you’re unsure of how and where to dispose of the pregnancy test, then a home pregnancy test will be an easier option.
- Everything that you need to check your pregnancy is readily available at home.
- Natural pregnancy tests are also cheaper than the ones available in the market.
- There’s no shelf life for a home pregnancy test.
Also Read About Ways to Stay Healthy During Pregnancy
How To Check Pregnancy At Home Naturally?
Visiting a doctor and getting your urine and blood tests done will be the most reliable way to tell if you’re pregnant. But if that’s not an option or if you want to just check pregnancy at home naturally before you take a trip to the doctor, these tests can help.
Most of these home pregnancy tests analyse your urine, so make sure you collect your urine as soon as you wake up in the morning as it is the most concentrated during this time and will give you accurate results. Also, drink plenty of water and wait for your bladder to feel full before collecting. Note that the sample should have enough quantity of urine in case you feel like taking the home pregnancy test again.
Sugar Pregnancy Test
Yes, you read it right. You can take a home pregnancy test with sugar and get the results right. Have a look to know how to test pregnancy at home using sugar.
What you need:
- A clean bowl
- One tablespoon of sugar
- A sample of urine collected first thing in the morning
Method:
Take one tablespoon of sugar in the bowl and pour the collected urine sample on the sugar. Then you have to wait and watch. The urine of pregnant women contains the hormone hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin and it prevents the sugar from dissolving.
Positive Sign: If the sugar doesn’t dissolve readily but forms clumps instead, it is a sign that you are pregnant.
Negative Sign: If the sugar dissolves completely, it means that you aren’t pregnant because hCG isn’t present.
Also Read: White Discharge During Pregnancy
Soap Pregnancy Test
This is another easy natural pregnancy test that can be easily done at home. There is no specification on the type of soap you need- it can be of any shape or scent. Have a look to know how to take the soap pregnancy test:
What you need:
- A clean bowl
- A bar of soap
- A sample of urine collected first thing in the morning
Method:
Place the bar of soap in a bowl and pour two tablespoons of urine on the soap. Wait and observe.
Positive Sign: If the soap froths and if bubbles appear then it is likely that you’re pregnant.
Negative Sign: If you are not pregnant then there will be no reaction between the soap and the urine sample and hence there will be no bubbles.
Toothpaste Pregnancy Test
Toothpaste is obviously a more recent ingredient when it comes to detecting whether you’re pregnancy test at home with toothpaste or not because it wasn’t around since time immemorial. Only white toothpaste is preferred for this method as additional ingredients in coloured toothpaste may interfere with the results of the test. Here’s how to take a pregnancy test at home with toothpaste
What you need:
- A clean bowl
- Two tablespoons of toothpaste
- A sample of urine collected first thing in the morning
Method:
Take two tablespoons of toothpaste in the bowl, add a tablespoon of the collected urine and wait for results to show.
Positive Sign: If you are pregnant, then the toothpaste will react to the urine and it will turn blue. It could also become frothy.
Negative Sign: If you are not pregnant, then the toothpaste would not react with the urine at all.
Drawbacks:
While this toothpaste pregnancy test is easy and can be done at home, there are certain drawbacks. Firstly, there is no said amount for how much urine it takes for the toothpaste to turn blue. Secondly, the amount of time it takes to turn blue could also vary.
Mustard Powder Pregnancy Test
If you have missed your periods and think that you could be pregnant, a mustard pregnancy test could be considered to determine the status. Mustard is also known to induce your periods.
What you need:
- A warm water-filled bathtub
- Half a cup of mustard powder
Method:
Add some mustard powder to the warm water in the bathtub and immerse yourself in it for twenty to twenty-five minutes. Wash up and wait for a good two to three days.
Positive Sign: The mustard as mentioned before assists with periods. So if you don’t have them in the next two to three days, then it’s most likely that you’re pregnant.
Negative Sign: If you do have your period within the next few days, then it’s most likely that you have an irregular period cycle and they got delayed due to some other reason.
Salt Pregnancy Test
Table salt is also a very effective substance for a natural pregnancy test and the main advantage is that it is one of the most reliable and cheapest ways to find out if you’re pregnant or not. Here’s how to take the pregnancy test with salt
What you need:
- A clean glass
- A pinch or two of salt
- A sample of urine collected first thing in the morning
Method:
Pour some urine into the glass and add a pinch or two of salt. Leave it there for a couple of minutes till the results can be analysed.
Positive Sign: If the salt reacts with the urine you will see that some creamy, white clumps are being formed. This is a positive sign of pregnancy.
Negative Sign: If there is no reaction between the salt and the urine, the test result is negative.
Dandelion Leaf Pregnancy Test
In this test, the hCG is believed to react with the components of the dandelion leaf and change colour.
What you need:
- A few fresh dandelion leaves
- Urine sample collected in the morning
Method: Take a few dandelion leaves and leave them on a sheet, away from direct sunlight. Pour your urine sample over them and make sure the leaves are submerged. Wait for about 10 minutes to notice the reaction.
Positive sign: If there are red blisters on the leaf, chances are you are pregnant.
Negative sign: If there is no significant reaction, then it means you are not pregnant and the hCG hormone is not present in your urine.
Bleach Pregnancy Test
The hCG hormone is said to react with bleach and create foams in the urine sample. However, keep in mind that excessive protein in your urine without the pregnancy hormone might also cause a reaction.
What you need:
- Collect your urine sample in a container
- 2-3 tablespoons of bleaching powder
Method: In a bowl add the urine sample and bleaching powder and give it a good mix. Set the bowl aside for a couple of minutes and wait for the results.
Positive sign: If the urine sample starts to foam and fizz, it means you are pregnant.
Negative sign: If there is no reaction between the two, you are not pregnant.
Vinegar Pregnancy Test
It is said that if you are pregnant, the colour of vinegar will change. However, the colour change is usually mild, hence, you need to observe carefully.
What you need:
- Urine sample collected in a container
- A few drops of vinegar
Method: In a bowl, add a few drops of vinegar and your urine sample. Wait for a few minutes and then observe for resultts.
Positive sign: If you notice bubbles and a mild colour change, it means you are pregnant.
Negative sign: If there is no reaction and no significant colour change, then you are not pregnant.
Baking Soda Pregnancy Test
When baking soda reacts with hCG, it is believed to create bubbles similar to the ones that you find after opening a can of soda.
What you need:
- A clean bowl
- Two tablespoons of baking soda
- Urine sample collected in a container
Method: For this test, you simply have to mix baking soda with your urine and observe the reaction.
Positive sign: If you notice fizzy bubbles, you are pregnant.
Negative sign: If there is no indication of a reaction or bubbles, you are not pregnant.
Peroxide And Tylenol Pregnancy Test
Tylenol and peroxide solution produce a specific colour. If your urine contains the hCG hormone, then a reaction with this hormone will change the colour of the solution to blue.
What you need:
- 2 Tylenol tablets
- A little bit of peroxide
- Urine sample
Method: Crush two Tylenol tablets and pour the powder into a glass bowl. Now add peroxide and a teaspoon of peroxide to the mixture. Wait and observe the colour change.
Positive sign: If the colour of the solution turns blue, you are pregnant.
Negative sign: If there is no colour change and no reaction, you are not pregnant.
Conclusion
Now you know how to check pregnancy at home! While it’s okay to take a home pregnancy test, you can’t rely on these a 100%. These are fine as the first step to determining whether you’re pregnant or not and should always be followed by a visit to the doctor.
Disclaimer: These tests may not be 100% accurate. Please consult your doctor for further clarification, and only conduct them once you get the go-ahead from them.
FAQs
Can pregnancy test kits be trusted?
Pregnancy kits are mostly accurate as long as you thoroughly follow the instructions given in their packaging.
How to use a pregnancy test?
This depends on what brand of pregnancy test kit you are using. Each product lists a set of instructions to follow while checking your pregnancy.
What are the main types of pregnancy tests?
You can opt for natural pregnancy tests, go for at-home pregnancy test kits, or get blood tests.
Where can I find a pregnancy test kit?
Pregnancy test kits are easily available at medicine stores.
Also Read: Books to read during pregnancy
Feature Image: Freepik.com
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