Home Pregnancy Tests: How It Is Done

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How It Is Done

Carefully read the instructions that come with the home kit. Instructions vary from kit to kit. Be sure to read the result at the appropriate time indicated in the instructions for accurate results.

If you have a kit that asks for a morning urine sample, test urine that has been in the bladder for at least 4 hours. A first morning urine sample (that has collected in the bladder overnight) gives the most accurate test results. Test the urine within 15 minutes of collecting the sample.

If you are using a midstream kit, urinate a small amount first and then hold the dipstick in your urine stream as you finish urinating. Test the urine sample according to the directions included in the test kit package.

Specific instructions

• Dipstick test. For a dipstick test, you place the end of the dipstick or test strip into a sample of urine. You will either urinate directly onto the labeled end of the stick for 5 to 10 seconds or put the stick into urine in a collection cup. If you are pregnant, a positive result (a color change or a symbol showing) will appear in that area of the dipstick or test strip.
• Collection cup test. For a test that uses a collection cup, you urinate into the cup included with the kit, then collect several drops of the urine with a dropper or syringe. Place 5 or 6 drops of urine directly onto a test disk to complete the test. If you are pregnant, a positive result will appear in a special area on the disk as a color change.

Last updated:	July 15, 2008
Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer