Get acquainted with your pregnancy

Think you may have a baby on the way, but not sure? Find out with a pregnancy test. We look at how it works, hormone measurement, the best time to take it, and some simple suggestions to make sure you get the correct result.

Do you know what the pregnancy hormone is?

If you're to be confident about your pregnancy test, you need to know about the pregnancy hormone. It's called hCG, short for human chorionic gonadotropin, and is secreted by the cells of what will become the placenta shortly after the embryo lodges in the uterus. If it starts to increase, it's good news!

Many pregnancy tests, one principle

It's important to know that all pregnancy tests work in the same way. They are based on the same principle, determining whether your urine contains the pregnancy hormone, which starts to be released about one week after fertilization. Obviously this hormone doesn't appear if you're not pregnant!

Do the test in the morning, and don't drink

Have you decided to take a pregnancy test? Start by doing the sums: a traditional test is reliable if you carry it out about 2 weeks after sex, or 3 days after your period should have started. One piece of advice? Always carry it out in the morning, when there will be a higher concentration of hCG in your urine. Another simple rule to follow: don't drink anything before carrying out the test, as this will "dilute" the pregnancy hormone. T

he golden rules of pregnancy tests

Nearly all pregnancy tests are similar to a pen, a kind of stick, which you should dip into your urine sample for 3 to 5 minutes. After this time the result will appear in a window, generally a line different to that in the control window. This is the moment of truth: if there's one line you're not pregnant, but if there are 2, the test is positive and you're now 99% certain to be a future mother!

Digital pregnancy tests are even clearer!

In some pregnancy tests, including digital ones, the vertical or horizontal line may be replaced by a message saying "you're pregnant" or "you're not pregnant", or by a smiling or frowning face. If the result of the test is not clear, we recommend that you repeat it a few days after the first attempt.

And if the test says "you're not pregnant"?

Remember that the result must always be confirmed by a blood test prescribed by your gynaecologist after the test that you've carried out yourself. Usually, if the result is positive, it is very unlikely to be wrong. If it is negative, you could still be pregnant, for example if you've carried it out too early without waiting for the recommended time. A solution that will dispel any doubts? Repeat the test a week later, and then you can be sure of the result.

Was it useful?

We do not reply to this form. If you have any questions or need information, please use the form on the Contact Us page.

You might also be interested in:
  • Pregnancy tests: choose depending on how long you can wait

    It's time to do a pregnancy test... but which one to use? Traditional tests are done 12 days after fertilization and at least 3 days after a missed period, but you'll also find tests that give an answer a few days before the ...

    Find out more
  • Ovulation tests: the science of the "right moment"

    Can't get pregnant? Rule no. 1 is don't get stressed out! There are tests that can help you work out when is the right moment to have sex. Ovulation tests tell you when your fertile period is about to start. Let's explore the ...

    Find out more
  • Fertility changes over time

    Time passes, habits and lifestyles change, but biological ageing never stops. In women, fertility declines and eventually ends after the age of 45. Things aren't much better for men.

    Find out more
You might be interested in
  • Personal Pregnancy Test

    A quick, easily-to-read pregnancy test that you can carry out anywhere, on your own.

    Find out more
  • Digy Personal Test

    DIGY Personal Test is Pic Solution’s first pregnancy test with sound signal: a practical, easy-to-use device for quick results.

    Find out more