How to use a pregnancy test correctly: step-by-step process with photos

What it is?

The inkjet test system is a test that is intended for home use. This modification is much easier to use than the strip strips that are familiar to many. The device just needs to be placed under the stream of urine while urinating, and in a few minutes you can get the result, hence the name - stream.

The operation of the device is identical to the operating principle of other test systems: a special applied reagent determines the content of the hCG hormone in urine. This substance begins to grow noticeably after the fertilized egg is successfully implanted into the endometrium. It is produced by chorionic villi, which attach it to the wall of the uterus.

Chorionic gonadotropin performs an important function - it maintains the functionality of the corpus luteum on the surface of the ovary, formed after ovulation from the remains of the follicle membranes. It produces progesterone, without which continuation of pregnancy is impossible.

If a woman has not conceived, then the corpus luteum regresses 10–12 days after ovulation, and after conception and subsequent implantation have occurred, it is the hCG hormone that prevents it from regressing.

The level of the hormone increases gradually - doubling every 48 hours. The first rise in the level of the substance in the blood occurs in the first days after implantation. This, in turn, usually occurs 6–9 days after conception (or after ovulation - it’s more convenient to count this way). By the time the delay of menstruation begins, the level of the hCG hormone exceeds the sensitivity thresholds of almost all test systems.

It's all about the technology of making the dough, the quality and quantity of the reagent. It is these indicators that determine sensitivity thresholds, and there are highly sensitive models that can detect the rise of a substance in the urine even before the delay, and there are systems with a normal level of perception. Tests that indicate 5–20 mIU/ml are considered highly sensitive.

Inkjet tests are considered one of the most accurate and reliable, but in any case, they should not be done earlier than 3-4 days before the start of the delay - there is a high probability of obtaining a negative result in case of actual pregnancy.

From the first day of the delay, the accuracy of the readings should not be in doubt - it is high. The sensitivity threshold of most inkjet tests is 10–20 mIU/ml. This means that they can theoretically be used before a delay of several days. But just in case, manufacturers still recommend starting testing after the delay begins.

Types of tests and recommendations for use

The huge variety of types of tests that the modern market offers is simply dizzying. But how can a young woman make a choice and settle on just one? What you need to pay attention to.

The main criteria by which tests differ from each other:

• degree of sensitivity. Today, manufacturers offer tests with sensitivity of 10 mIU/ml, 15 mIU/ml, 20 mIU/, 25 mIU/ml. Typically, the lower this value, the more accurate the test, and it can be used in the earliest stages of pregnancy. But unfortunately, some dishonest pharmaceutical companies use the lowest mark on test packages to promote their product on the market. That is, this is a kind of advertising ploy. But really high-quality tests with an indicator of 10 mIU/ml can show a positive result already a week and a half after the release of the egg;
• price;
• test design;
• required time to obtain results;
• testing method.

General recommendations for the use of pregnancy tests

When choosing a pregnancy test, as well as when using it, you must follow several recommendations in order to achieve the most accurate result.

General recommendations:

• It is imperative to pay attention to the expiration date of the test;
• Before using the test, check the tightness and integrity of the packaging;
• You should read the instructions, which indicate the number of seconds for which you need to keep the indicator in the urine. It is also necessary to pay attention to the time during which the test result remains valid. After all, for most tests it is only 10 minutes. The exception is digital tests;
• the test must be opened before use, but not before;
• The test can only be used once. The exception is the test with a USB connector and removable cartridges;
• Morning urine is best for testing.

Before using the test, you must check the integrity of the packaging
. As a rule, the accuracy of high-quality pregnancy tests, if all rules are followed, is 95 - 98%.

Table: types of tests and their characteristics

Photo gallery: types of tests to determine pregnancy

Strip strips are the most accessible and cheapest way to determine pregnancy before delay

The inkjet pregnancy test does not require special preparation and can be used outside the home

Digital pregnancy test allows you to determine the number of weeks

The tablet pregnancy test comes with a pipette

A new pharmaceutical development has also appeared for determining pregnancy at home - a reusable digital test. This test has a USB connector that is inserted into a computer, where information about the presence or absence of pregnancy is displayed. The test comes with 20 replaceable cartridges, meaning this test can be used 21 times. But it is worth noting that purchasing new replacement cartridges is quite problematic.

The USB pregnancy test comes with 20 replaceable cartridges. I
had and still have to do the pregnancy test more than once, since I still have an irregular menstrual cycle and it is quite difficult to track the onset of my period. Therefore, after the expected, according to my calculations, delay of 4 - 5 days, I usually go for a pregnancy test. I do this primarily in order to register with a gynecologist as early as possible (although I have repeatedly heard from young mothers that some doctors, if the period is too short, send me for a walk until 4-5 weeks and only then register). But in my first pregnancy, I went to the doctor only at 8 weeks, and a whole bunch of problems were discovered, which affected the further course of the gestational period and the method of delivery. I always buy simple strip strips in the middle price category - Evitest. The result has never let me down, so I see no point in overpaying and buying more expensive tests. And if we talk about convenience, I also don’t see any difficulties in using them. To carry out pregnancy tests, you don’t need any skill or skill.

There is a situation where fertilization has occurred, but menstruation still occurs, so the woman may not even be aware of the pregnancy. But another situation is also possible when symptoms of pregnancy are felt in parallel with menstruation. In this case, the expectant mother can take a pregnancy test to be on the safe side, since the presence of blood in the urine will not affect the result in any way.

Until recently, I thought that periods after fertilization were complete nonsense and someone’s “good” joke. But a couple of months ago, my sister found herself in exactly the same situation. She had her period for three months after conception. Since the sister is quite plump, she did not particularly pay attention to the rounding of her shape, moreover, no other signs of pregnancy were observed. By the way, this is her second pregnancy. But if there was any general malaise, drowsiness, etc., then everything was attributed to her age (she is 36 years old) and heavy workload.

How to use?

Inkjet tests have an undoubted advantage - they are convenient to use. There is no need to collect urine in a separate container, which means less time is required for diagnosis. A woman can use such a device not only at home, but also at work, simply by going to the toilet.

The disadvantages include the high cost, significantly higher than the price segment of conventional strip strips. At the same time, the most expensive are considered to be inkjet reusable electronic devices, which not only determine the fact of pregnancy with high accuracy, but can also indicate the duration of pregnancy in weeks (the accuracy is, however, somewhat lower).

How long does it take for the test to determine pregnancy?

When it's time to get tested, the girl decides for herself. However, when choosing a date, you need to take into account the day of the menstrual cycle and the estimated timing of fetal development. This is necessary so that the conducted research shows the most correct results.

The day on which the study should be carried out depends on the duration and regularity of menstruation. A minimum of two weeks must pass after ovulation before testing. It is advisable to do it in the first days of the delay.

If the expectant mother decides to find out whether she became pregnant after a delay, then the diagnosis can be done on any convenient day. But usually a woman wants to find out about her situation as quickly as possible and does not want to wait for that very day. An express strip will help with this. A highly sensitive device will help detect conception even in the early stages of pregnancy, when there has not yet been a delay.

What results might there be?

A positive test is one that shows either “+”, “pregnant”, or two lines in the test window - it depends on what brand of test you are using. There is no doubt about the result if both stripes have a clear, uniform color and brightness.

A weak positive test is a positive “striped” test, but the second stripe is slightly less bright than the control. This may be due to the fact that testing is carried out before the delay and the hCG level is not yet so high that the second band becomes brighter.

If after a delay it remains dull, you should consult a doctor; there may be a threat of miscarriage due to hormonal deficiency or an ectopic pregnancy, in which less human chorionic gonadotropin is produced. Tests that show “pluses”, as well as electronic tests, cannot give weakly positive results.

A result is considered negative if there is only one line or “no pregnant” is present. If the test does not show a single strip, then the device is said to be defective, expired, or a software failure has occurred (for electronic devices).

Please note that the accuracy of the result directly depends on the time of the test: 4 days before the expected menstruation it does not exceed 50%, but already 2 days it is 85%, per day - more than 90%, from the first day of the delay - about 97%.

Test results

As mentioned above, the appearance of two stripes, even the second weak one, on the test means a positive result, that is, fertilization has occurred, one strip means a negative result. The second barely noticeable stripe can occur both during the normal course of pregnancy and during the development of any pathology.

Reasons for the weak appearance of the second line on a pregnancy test:

• too short a period. Typically observed when the test is performed before a missed period and the hCG level is low;
• problems with a woman’s endocrine system, that is, the production of hormones;
• development of pregnancy pathologies that can lead to miscarriage;
• expired test.

In my first pregnancy, at 8 weeks, the test showed a barely visible second line. Although during this period the level of the hCG hormone should be more than enough to be detected. And I was actually diagnosed with “threatened miscarriage,” with which I was admitted to the hospital for conservation.

A weak second line may indicate a pathology in the development of pregnancy

False positive and false negative pregnancy test results

But unfortunately, the presence of a second stripe does not always indicate fertilization. Cases when two test strips are false positive:

• expired test;
• if two months have not passed after childbirth;
• the presence of malignant neoplasms;
• testicular dysfunction.

But the test can also show the absence of pregnancy, at a time when fertilization has actually occurred. This happens for the following reasons:

• too little time has passed since conception;
• testing technique is violated;
• hormonal disorders that can lead to miscarriage due to weak production of the pregnancy hormone.

Jet pregnancy test

10.10.2017 Types of pregnancy tests At the first symptoms of pregnancy, many women do not immediately visit a gynecologist, preferring to verify pregnancy at home.
Such rapid diagnosis can be carried out using pregnancy tests. This product is available in large quantities in pharmacies: from budget strip strips to more expensive inkjet or tablet tests that determine pregnancy. The basic principles of the tests are the same - a reaction to the level of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is produced in the urine during the period of fertilization. Inkjet tests that determine pregnancy are popular among buyers.
Despite the rather high price, inkjet tests have proven themselves to be highly sensitive, accurate and, importantly, easy-to-use devices.

Benefits of use

Good news from the very morning

Although the inkjet test system works on a similar principle to a conventional pregnancy test in the form of strip strips, it still has many advantages. Firstly, sensitivity. In inkjet products, the sensitivity reaches 15-20 mIU/ml, which means the ability to detect lower concentrations of hCG in urine. That is, in fact, they are considered the most reliable and are able to detect conception in the early gestational period, when the content of human chorionic gonadotropin is not yet so high. For some inkjet systems, the sensitive threshold can reach 10 mIU/ml, this practically guarantees reliable results already 4-5 days before the delay.

Testing with an inkjet device is recommended to be carried out after a delay (in the first day and later), although tests several days before can reveal the presence of an interesting position. According to the manufacturers of such test systems, the reliability of the results obtained is 98-99%. Another undoubted advantage is the absence of the need for preliminary urine collection. This process requires a separate sterile container, and the jet system can be used without collecting urine, even at work. To do this, it is enough to go to the toilet for just five minutes.

What does a jet pregnancy test mean?

Visually, the inkjet test looks like a long box (cassette) reminiscent of an electronic thermometer. The design of the device consists of a tip (rod), an information window on which the results are displayed. Inside the test, under the information window and directly in the rod, there is a fibrous material impregnated with a special reagent with antibodies to the hCG hormone. When urine hits the rod, the fiber absorbs the liquid like a sponge, and antibodies and hCG interact (if such a hormone is present in the urine).

How to use a jet pregnancy test

When using the test for the first time, manufacturers recommend reading the operating instructions. Illiterate use leads to malfunction of the test system and misinformation. How to use a string pregnancy test? To do this you need:

• open the package with the dough and remove it;
• remove the protective cap from the absorbent rod;
• Place the tip under the stream of urine and wet it a little.

According to experts, you need to place the tip under the stream in such a way that the rod itself is directed downward. After this, the test cassette should be placed on a clean, dry surface with the information window facing up and wait for the result.

True data should be considered those that appeared after 2-5 minutes, but no later than 20 minutes.

What could be the results of the study and how to interpret them correctly:

1. One line is a negative result, which means you are not pregnant;
2. Two clearly visible stripes are an affirmative result, confirming your interesting position.
3. One strip is expressed clearly, and the other is indistinct - a weakly affirmative result.

A weakly positive result indicates either pregnancy, but the level of the hCG hormone is still low, or that conception has not occurred, but signals possible problems with the woman’s health. In this case, manufacturers recommend re-diagnosis after a few days and still consult a doctor for advice.

Instructions

Finding out about pregnancy using the jet test is very simple and quick. This can be done anywhere, even in the bathroom at work or in a restaurant. To do this, you need to unpack the device, remove the cap from it and place it under a stream of urine for literally 5 seconds. Then close the cap, place the test on a flat horizontal surface and time for 2 minutes. After 120 seconds you will receive the answer to your cherished question.

Today, the pharmaceutical market offers a wide range of inkjet pregnancy tests from different manufacturers (both domestic and foreign). The most popular and already proven brands are Evitest, Clearblue, Frautest, Bee-sure and Vera Plus.

If the test shows a negative result, but there are indirect signs of pregnancy, experts recommend repeating the test using a jet test 2 days later

To ensure greater reliability of the test results, you must adhere to the rules described below.

• Do not use the jet test twice - it is a one-time use device.
• Do a quick test in the morning. The first urine of the day contains the strongest concentration of the hCG hormone.
• Do not take medications the night before your home test.
• Before testing, try to limit your fluid intake. Drinking plenty of fluids will reduce the concentration of hCG in the urine, and this can lead to a false negative result.

If the test shows a negative result, but there are indirect signs of pregnancy (for example, your period did not come on time, morning sickness began, your mood became changeable for no reason), experts recommend repeating the test using a jet test 2 days later. This period is not indicated by chance - hCG increases every two days.

Read also: Is it possible to get pregnant immediately after menstruation?

How to distinguish menstruation from bleeding?

Causes of brown discharge in women

Using a jet pregnancy test before a missed period

Is it possible to confirm pregnancy before the delay of the critical days? Will pregnancy tests cope with this task? As experts explain, due to low sensitivity, conventional strip tests do not determine conception before the start of the expected critical days. Therefore, it is not advisable to use them before the delay. Modern, improved test devices, which include inkjet, have a high degree of sensitivity and can confirm the fact of pregnancy 4-5 days before the planned period.

As practice shows and according to consumer opinion, one of the best inkjet pregnancy tests are electronic disposable/reusable detectors. The procedure for using a digital device is similar to a conventional inkjet device. The only difference is that in electronic tests, stripes do not appear in the information window, but inscriptions are displayed. And, as an additional bonus, if the conclusion is positive, the gestational age in weeks is determined.

Some electronic devices are equipped with a USB port. With its help, the fixed result is decrypted via a computer. Reusable inkjet digital tests are equipped with additional cartridges.

Probability of error

Approximately 2-5% of the time, the jet pregnancy test is wrong. This can happen even if the woman has followed all the necessary instructions. Thus, a false negative result is possible if the test was performed too early, when the hormone has not yet reached the concentration required for manifestation. The same situation is possible if a woman has kidney problems. In this case, hCG will not reach the required concentration throughout pregnancy. The test may be false negative if the pregnancy is ectopic, there is a risk of early miscarriage, or placental insufficiency is established. And finally, an expired test will give a false negative result.

A false positive result may occur when taking medications containing human chorionic gonadotropin or diagnosed hCG-synthesizing tumors of internal organs. Such cases include recent abortion, miscarriage, resection of the ovum (performed for an ectopic pregnancy) or childbirth.

Compared to other home methods of detecting pregnancy, jet tests are very sensitive, which makes it possible to find out about the birth of a new life even before a missed period. This device is convenient and easy to use, and its accuracy reaches 99.9%, which is comparable, perhaps, only to visiting a doctor and conducting laboratory tests.

Peculiarities

Inkjet tests, unlike test strips, have a more complex design that ensures highly reliable results. To detect a possible pregnancy, you need to place the test under a stream of urine and wait a few minutes. As a result, one or two stripes appear (signs “+” or “-”, depending on the manufacturer of the test).

Even if the second stripe is faintly noticeable, it still suggests pregnancy. The cost of inkjet tests is higher than test strips and ranges from 100 to 350 rubles.

Varieties

• Strip strip. The most common and inexpensive option. It is a paper or fabric strip impregnated with a reagent. Sensitivity is approximately 25 mIU/ml. Accuracy: 90% on the first day of delay, and 95-100% on the seventh day.
• Tablet test. It is a small plastic tablet with two windows. One is for accepting urine, the second is for displaying the result. You need to take a little urine into a disposable pipette and put about 4 drops into the first window. More accurate and reliable than strip strips. The sensitivity of the test is 10-25 mIU/ml.
• Jet test. The most reliable device for determining pregnancy due to a more sensitive reagent.
  Can determine the onset of pregnancy 3-4 days before the delay. It consists of a receiving part and a window with the result. As the name suggests, this test is easy to use - you just need to place it under a stream of urine for a few seconds and close the lid. Sensitivity – from 10 mIU/ml.
• Digital. In appearance it may be similar to an inkjet or tablet test, but it has a digital display, which eliminates any doubt about the result due to the dimness of the strips. It is considered the most sensitive, since already 4 days before the date of the expected menstruation it can determine pregnancy with a 51 percent probability.
• Reusable test. In appearance it looks like a computer flash drive and comes with 20 replaceable cartridges, which allows you to perform analysis many times. Gives the most detailed results, right down to the expected due date. The results are read by connecting the device to a computer via a USB connector.

Benefits of inkjet pregnancy tests

Among the main advantages are the following:

• hygiene and ease of use (no need to collect urine in a separate container);
• high sensitivity (10 mIU);
• reliability;
• the ability to quickly get results;
• suitable for use at any time of the day (but when using the test in the early stages of an expected pregnancy, it is better to use it in the morning - this way the reliability will be higher);
• can be used 2-5 days before the onset of menstruation (depending on the specific type).

Pregnancy test strips - how to use and can you trust?

Pregnancy test strips are the simplest and most accessible method for determining a woman’s “interesting position” at home. For some, 2 stripes are a long-awaited result, for others it is a complete surprise. And today we will figure out how to use tests correctly, when they can be used, and how reliable the results of such diagnostics are.

Types of pregnancy tests

All pregnancy tests work the same way - they contain ingredients that react to the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. This substance begins to be synthesized in the body after the fertilized egg is fixed in the endometrium; during normal pregnancy, the levels increase daily.

1. Test strips are thin strips of paper, impregnated in a certain place with a special reagent.
2. Plate tests - the reagent strip is contained in a plastic container. There are 2 windows on the device - you need to drop a little urine into one, and the result will be displayed in the second.
3. Jet tests - the product must be placed directly under a stream of urine, having first removed the protective cap. The result is displayed in the window.
4. Digital tests are the most expensive models and are highly sensitive and accurate. The product can be placed under a stream of urine, or lowered into a container with urine; after the strip changes color, the test must be placed on a flat surface. After 3 minutes, a + sign will appear in the window if there is a pregnancy, or a - sign if the result is negative. Some products even show information about the timing of pregnancy.

Each test package contains information about the sensitivity of the product, which is indicated in mIU/ml.

Advantages and disadvantages of pregnancy test strips

Test strips are inexpensive, pharmacies offer a wide range of products from different manufacturers, and they are easy to use.

But test strips also have some disadvantages - a low level of sensitivity compared to other, more modern models, and problems often arise with collecting urine in a sterile container. Manufacturers often use low-quality paper, which becomes very wet or is not saturated at all, which negatively affects the test results.

When to use test strips correctly

Doing a home test is not difficult, you just need to do a few simple steps, the whole procedure lasts no more than 10 minutes.

Instructions for use:

1. Wash your genitals - it is better to use products with a neutral pH level.
2. Collect the urine in a sterile container.
3. Carefully remove the test strip from the package, trying to hold the strip by the sides or top.
4. Place the strip in the urine to the indicated level, hold for 10-30 seconds.
5. Place the strip on a flat, dry, clean surface.
6. Wait 1-10 minutes.

Take a pregnancy test in the morning on an empty stomach, do not drink a lot of liquid the night before - this rule applies to all types of pregnancy tests. Remember, the maximum amount of hCG level is contained in the very first morning urine.

How to use correctly

Each test is always accompanied by instructions, which must be studied in order to maximize the possibility of obtaining a reliable result.

1. Before use, pay attention to the integrity of the packaging. If it is broken, then such a device is considered to be of poor quality. This, in turn, may affect the accuracy of the result. It is also important to look at the expiration date. It is highly not recommended to use tests that have expired or expired.
2. You need to carefully open the package, take the test, remove the protective cap, and hold the tip of the device under stream of urine for 5 seconds.
3. Then you should put on the protective cap and wait a few minutes (it all depends on the specific test, according to the instructions).
4. You can evaluate the result: if 1 stripe (“-”) appears, pregnancy has not occurred; if 2 stripes (“+”), pregnancy has occurred. Typically, the reliability of the indicators is maintained for 10 minutes; you definitely don’t need to wait longer.

If in the end you do not observe a single strip, it means that the test was used incorrectly or there was a violation of storage conditions.

If the test has a control window, then if used correctly, a vertical line should appear in it.

How to choose and where to buy?

To avoid purchasing a low-quality test, it should only be purchased at a pharmacy.

When purchasing, check the integrity of the packaging - it should not be opened or torn. The test strip itself should be packaged in durable cellophane, which is often filled with air.
Important! Pay attention to the expiration date of the device.
If the test is expired or the packaging is not sealed, this test should not be used, as the result will most likely be false. All tests for determining pregnancy at home react to an increase in the level of hCG in the urine. Therefore, seeing in front of you a variety of products from different manufacturers, you can get confused.

As a rule, the accuracy of the test does not depend on its cost and manufacturer, but more expensive strips react to even insignificant levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin. So if, just a few days after your delay, you can't wait to find out whether you're pregnant or not, opt for a more expensive but sensitive test.

When can you use a jet pregnancy test?

These tests are good because they can be used several days before the start of menstruation. Some manufacturers indicate the possibility of using them in 2-3 days, others even in 4-5 days. This is a definite plus, since most women want to find out about pregnancy as early as possible. But this, in turn, reduces the accuracy of the result. It will be most reliable on the 2-3rd day of the delay.

Any time of day is suitable for taking the test, but it is important to remember that morning urine is the most suitable for obtaining reliable indicators, since it contains the hCG hormone in maximum concentration.

When and how to do it: instructions with photos

In order to achieve maximum accuracy when determining pregnancy at home using a test, you should follow some rules:

1. Do the test only in the morning, immediately after waking up, with your first urine. It is during this period of time that the concentration of the hCG hormone in the body is maximum, and the test will show the most reliable result.
2. On the eve of the test, you should avoid fatty foods and sexual contact.
3. Do not rush to do the test immediately on the first day of the delay. Even if you are pregnant, the test will not be able to determine this due to low levels of the hCG hormone. The most suitable time is 6-7 days of delay.
4. Read the instructions carefully. It describes in detail how to use the device and how long the result is valid.
5. Buy several tests at once. It is recommended to conduct at least two tests a couple of days apart. This will help confirm or refute the result obtained the first time.
6. The test package should be opened immediately before the procedure.
7. The urine collection container must be sterile. This will help avoid false results.

To carry out the test, you need to collect urine in a container and lower the test strip there to the indicated mark. After a few seconds, the strip must be pulled out and placed on a vertical surface. The result will be ready in 5 minutes.

Don't overdo the test. It becomes invalid 10 minutes after use. Due to the evaporation of the liquid, a faint second stripe may appear on it, even if there was none.