Taking a home pregnancy test is a convenient way to determine if you are pregnant or not. Let us take a look at the benefits of using a home pregnancy test.Home pregnancy tests were not available until they were invented in the year 1968. Unlike the earlier times when detecting pregnancy through medical means was more difficult, time consuming and expensive, taking a pregnancy test in this age is as easy as cake walk.
Home pregnancy tests are largely available in almost every nook and corner of the world. These tests help detect if you are pregnant or not without any medical aid. If you happen to experience
symptoms of pregnancy, the first thing that will come to your mind is going to the medical store, buying a home pregnancy test kit and testing it yourself as per the instructions. It is easy, comparatively cheaper than professional medical help and undoubtedly convenient.
When should I use a home pregnancy test?
Before visiting your gynecologist, it may be a good idea to take a simple
home pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. You can take a pregnancy test from the day that your period is due. Although home pregnancy tests are not 100% reliable, if performed correctly, they are over 99% accurate. These tests diagnose the
pregnancy by detecting the presence of the hormone hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in the urine.
All you need to do is to add a few drops of urine (preferably when you wake up in the morning) to the circular part of the device provided and not in the result window, and wait for about 5 minutes to read the results. If you see two red lines in the result window, then it means you are pregnant. Although, it may be able to detect your pregnancy as early as the first day of your missed period, the accuracy of the results increases with each passing day. If you are unsure of the results, repeat the test after a week or so. It is best to purchase two test kits at the same time, so that if you did not perform the test correctly, you can take it again.
What are the popular home pregnancy tests available in the market?
Some of the popular pregnancy tests include First Response, One-Step, Advance, E.P.T, Answer, Fact Plus, Clearblue Easy, Confirm, and Conceive. Most of these tests are very good and are equally effective. Depending on which brand you purchase, the test kit costs between $10-15. Many of these test kits come in packs of two, and can certainly be more cost-effective.
Are there any home pregnancy tests available in India?
There are many
pregnancy test kits available in India. It costs roughly Rs. 55/- to Rs. 60/-, and is available at most chemist shops. These tests kits are very easy to use and results can be found within five minutes.
What are the advantages of using a home pregnancy test?
Here are a few advantages of Home pregnancy tests that you might want to know.
Easily available
Home pregnancy kits are easily available in almost every medical store and even online. Unlike doctor’s visits and clinical tests which need prior appointments, a home pregnancy test is very easily available and accessible. Hence, it is very effective for working women.
Is 99% accurate
Home pregnancy tests provide 99% accurate results. There is a very slight and minimal chance of inaccuracy. If you do not have any other disease and the test comes out positive, it is most likely correct. However, if it comes negative, doctors recommend trying out these tests for more than two times.
Gives you privacy
A home pregnancy test, unlike clinical tests which require drawing of blood and money gives you enough privacy in the confinement of your comfy room.
Saves you time
Considering all you have to do to take a test is just visit a medical store, buy one and take the test in your home, instead of having to wait for hours for your appointment at the doctors, home pregnancy tests save you a lot of time and energy.
Budget friendly
Home pregnancy tests, unlike a doctor’s appointment, do not leave a dent in your wallet. They are not only easily available and easy to use, but most importantly, they are cheap and reasonable.
Quick results
If you are impatient and do not like waiting things out, you will like home pregnancy kits more than a doctor’s visit. They will give you the quickest of quick results. However, if you still have a doubt, visit a doctor.
What are the disadvantages of home pregnancy test?
In many cases that have been recorded, home pregnancy tests are always not reliable and helpful. Anything that is easily made available comes with at least one flaw and home pregnancy tests are no different. Here is a list of a few disadvantages of home pregnancy tests:-
Not administered by trained professionals
Home pregnancy kits are easily available in medical stores and are generally not prescribed by professionals.
Less accuracy
Even though they promise a result of 99% accuracy, there is always a chance of false negatives.
If not done correctly, will be inaccurate
In various cases, the person taking the pregnancy test fails to follow the instructions and hence ends up taking the test incorrectly. This results in inaccurate results.
Increases the expenses
In many cases, pregnancy tests come out with inaccurate results. This leads the person to take more tests. Even though they are comparatively cheap, buying a number of them can increase expense. Cheap pregnancy tests are also known for providing inaccurate results.
Pregnancy is a naturally occurring phenomenon that a most women undergo at a certain point in their life. Hence, for the sake of your own health and also for the miracle growing inside you, being confirmed about your pregnancy is of utmost importance. Therefore, unless you are completely sure that you are pregnant, seek medical help. Always keep in mind that a blood test for pregnancy will always provide accurate results.
