How to Read a Pregnancy Test

'Am I pregnant or am I not?', is a question asked by every women taking a pregnancy test. The two simple lines help determine whether one is pregnant or it is just a false intuition. Yet, it is very difficult to interpret these two simple lines as sometimes the false positive evaporation line vanishes along with your pregnancy hopes.

So, how to take a pregnancy test to avoid false positive test along with a false negative test? By now, you must have understood that it is not that easy to take a pregnancy test. So before we move on to reading a pregnancy test, let me explain the basics of a home pregnancy kit.

Which are the Different Pregnancy Kits?
There are two types of tests that help determine if you are pregnant. These two tests are blood and urine pregnancy tests. The blood test is carried out by a doctor only. In case of home pregnancy tests, the urine test is the most widely used method. You will find that the market is flooded with home pregnancy kits with each having a different way of interpretation of the results.

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
The tests determine the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in the urine. This hormone is released by the placenta after the embryo gets attached to the uterine lining. Some of the earliest tests determine the hyperglycosylated hCG hormone, that is, produced just after egg fertilization. Therefore, these tests may give quicker results. Now, let us go into the details of how to read a test.

Reading a Pregnancy Test Strip
When you get home a kit, you should read all the instructions given along with the test strip. Each brand has a different method of interpretation of the results, so be sure you have understood the instructions accordingly. You should read carefully how many seconds you need to wait to determine the accurate results. Never read the strip after 10 minutes as you may get a wrong result. In many tests, a line appears when the test is carried out correctly. Development of a second line may indicate pregnancy.

You need to take the test first thing in the morning. This will give you accurate results as the morning urine contains high levels of hCG. Some brands may provide a urine collection cup or some are designed to be held directly in the urine stream. You need to check the time period for the stick to be kept immersed in the urine. The tip may be required to be saturated and immersed for no longer than 10 to 15 seconds. Do not immerse the strip pass the marker line. Then place the stick on a flat, dry surface and wait for some minutes as indicated on the box. You will see color going across the window that is an indication that the strip is absorbing urine

Once the stipulated time is over, you may observe a plus sign, that may indicate a positive result. Even if you observe a faint line on pregnancy test, it may indicate positive, you need to wait for a few more days, to take the test again. This time maybe you get a darker line as the levels of hCG may have increased in your body. In case of negative line, you will observe only one color band on the control region and no band on the test region.

In case of positive test, you will observe color bands on the control and test regions. These two lines indicate you are pregnant. Remember, a positive line will appear directly below the control line on the result window area. Any line that you may see at the point between the test lines indicates a negative test. If you do not observe any band at all, it indicates an invalid test. You may have not taken the test correctly and therefore, need to take the test again.

Reading a Pregnancy Test with Lines
You need to remove the cap off the test stick and turn it over so that the absorbent tip points downward. Hold the stick in the path of your urine stream, such that it comes in contact with the absorbent area. Keep the contact for about 10 seconds so that there is proper urine absorption. The urine should not be splashed into the result window or you may get inaccurate results. Then, re-cap the test and keep it flat on a dry surface, with the widow facing upwards.

You need to read the instructions on the kit and wait for about 5 minutes for accurate results. Depending on the concentration of the hCG levels, you may get the result in 40 seconds. Once you complete the test you will observe a band at the control portion (C). This is an indication that your test is working properly.

A positive test is indicated by a band that appears at the test part (T) and one at the control present already. These two lines indicate pregnancy. In case of negative test, you will not observe any line in the test window. Even if a faint line is observed, it indicates positive pregnancy. In case of invalid, there are no visible bands and even the control line is invisible. This means the test was not conducted properly and needs to be taken again.

Reading a Pregnancy Test with Two Windows
The pregnancy test with two windows is also called the Equate Pregnancy Test. It is just like other tests and you need to hold the stick in your urine stream or cup to get the results. You should dip the stick in urine for the appropriate time and wait for about 3 to 10 minutes as indicated on the box. Then you will see a horizontal line in the first window almost immediately. Then wait for the second line to appear in the other window. If the other window indicates a line, it means you have tested positive. If the second window remains unchanged, it indicates negative pregnancy test.

You should read the test within the time period mentioned or you may get evaporated lines. This may indicate negative pregnancy, even though you may be pregnant. Or it maybe you observed a line developed, that indicates pregnancy, even though you are not pregnant. So avoid these major errors, make sure the test is read within the indicated time frame.

Once you have a positive test, you should fix an appointment with your doctor. The doctor may carry out a blood test to make sure you are really pregnant. This was all about how to read a pregnancy test. It is very easy to read a pregnancy test, if you follow the instructions carefully. Whenever you observe the signs of being pregnant or feel you may be pregnant, get a home pregnancy kit to be sure of your condition.