The home pregnancy test is one of the first options that a women may use to verify if they are pregnant or not. There are many advantages to these home tests that include convenience and privacy. They can also save you an unnessary appointment to your family doctor. There are a number of packages available that come in different price ranges. The important thing to note is that many of them operate under the similar underlying principles.

The key to the home pregnancy test is the detection of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin - more commonly known as HCG. HCG will make an appearance in a woman’s body at the time that an embryo implants into the uterine wall. This process generally occurs anywhere from six to twelve days after ovulation takes place. During the first few days and weeks of pregnancy, HCG levels will multiply in a woman’s body at a rapid rate. The higher the levels of HCG in a woman’s system, the easier it is for the home pregnancy test to detect the hormone in a woman’s urine.

Because of the time frame involved before HCG becomes easy to read, it is usually recommended that a woman waits to take a home pregnancy test until the time that her menstrual period would normally be due. This will ensure the most accurate reading of the test.

Some home pregnancy tests are developed to be even more sensitive to detecting HCG, and can be performed earlier. Some even advertise a detection of HCG as early as seven days after ovulation. Keep in mind that accuracy of results does go down the earlier in the pregnancy that the test is performed.

How to Use a Home Pregnancy Test

In order to ensure the most effective testing process, manufacturers will recommend following the package instructions very carefully. Some will advise a woman to hold the test stick under the urine stream, and others will work better if the stick is held in a cup of urine for a few minutes.

HCG levels may be somewhat higher during the morning hours, so many women will be advised to try and take the test during these hours of the day. It can take as fast as 2 minutes, after the test is completed, to obtain results. Many sticks contain an indicator window that show whether the test was completed correctly.

It is always best to consult with your family physician after you get a positive result from your home pregnancy test. This will ensure that your results are accurate, as well as allowing your doctor to start you on prenatal care.