Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Choosing the right pregnancy test
• Part 2 of 2: Buying a pregnancy test
• Tips

A possible pregnancy can make you both terrified and thrilled. The easiest way to find out if you are actually pregnant is to take a home pregnancy test. Recently, thanks to the latest technologies, you can even tell if you are pregnant before you have skipped a period. A pregnancy test determines whether the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is present in your urine. This hormone is produced after an egg has been fertilized and lodged in the uterine wall. The best and how many tests to buy depends on the timing of your menstrual cycle and your personal budget.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Choosing the right pregnancy test

1. Count the number of days until your expected period. Determine where you are in your menstrual cycle and how sensitive the test should be. Have you already skipped a period or not yet? Some pregnancy tests are said to be able to determine if you are pregnant before a missed period. However, research shows that tests that take place after the missed period are a lot more reliable. It is therefore possible that a test shows that you are not pregnant, when this is actually the case. If you take a pregnancy test at least one week after your expected period, the chance of a correct result is 99 percent.
2. Learn how tests determine if you are pregnant. Manufacturers differentiate pregnancy tests based on their sensitivity to the hCG hormone. If you are taking a pregnancy test early on, you will need a test that can pick up even the tiniest amounts of this hormone. Ask about this in the pharmacy or chemist so that you are sure that the result of the test is correct.
3. Decide whether you want to buy a traditional or a digital test. Digital tests are easier to read because the screen simply shows “pregnant” or “not pregnant”. In addition, some digital tests indicate approximately how many weeks you are pregnant. However, the tests are slightly more expensive than the traditional version. In traditional tests, one or two dashes will appear on the strip. Often two lines mean that you are pregnant and one line means that you are not pregnant.
   • Consider purchasing a digital test as a backup in case you cannot read the traditional test properly.

Part 2 of 2: Buying a pregnancy test

1. Go to a pharmacy or drugstore. Once you know which test to buy, the next step is to determine where to buy the test. You can do this at the pharmacy, but also at the drugstore. If you don't mind buying a pregnancy test, you can simply do it in your hometown. If you are embarrassed or do not want to run the risk of meeting acquaintances, it may be better to go to a town or city that is a little further away. If you are not in too much of a hurry with the test, you can also order it online. You can also make an appointment with your doctor to get a test.
2. Compare prices with each other. If it's important to you how much the pregnancy test costs, you can compare prices online or in the store. This is especially important if you want to buy multiple tests. Incidentally, packs with multiple tests are also available, if you would like to have one or more pregnancy tests available.
3. Determine how many tests you want to buy. Based on your needs and budget, consider buying two pregnancy tests right away. While one test should be enough, sometimes tests can go wrong. In that case it is useful if you have a second test at home! Many people who want to test whether they are pregnant at an early stage buy several tests. This way they can check at various times whether they are really pregnant. If you are actively trying to get pregnant, it can also be a good idea to get several tests at home. So you don't have to go to the store every month, but you can take a test whenever you want.
4. Before purchasing a test, check the expiration date. Only buy tests that can be used for a while. It is essential for the test to work that the pregnancy test is not expired. Do you still have a test at home, but has the expiration date already passed? Then it is best to throw it away and purchase a new test.
5. Buy the test. If you don't mind buying a store-bought pregnancy test, you can go to the nearest pharmacy or drugstore. Pregnancy tests are simply on the shelf in drugstores and you do not have to ask for them. This way, you don't even have to mention the word pregnancy and you can simply pay for it together with your shampoo or hand cream. However, you shouldn't be at all ashamed of buying a pregnancy test, no matter how old you are or whatever your relationship status is.
   • Do you feel uncomfortable about buying a test? Maybe you can hire a friend or family member to do it for you. In that case, make sure that you provide the necessary information so that she buys the right test. If you really want to make sure that no one finds out that you are taking a pregnancy test, make an appointment with your doctor.

Tips

• If you are at least a week late, you can take a traditional pregnancy test. From that moment on, these are 99% reliable.
• If you are trying to get pregnant and you know exactly when you ovulate, you can take a digital test 5 to 6 days before your period to determine whether you are pregnant.
• Not sure if you have read the test correctly? Then take a picture of the result or take the test to your doctor. He or she can tell you exactly how the test works and whether or not you are pregnant.