10 Natural Ways to Check Pregnancy at Home

Did you just miss your period, or is it late more than usual? Do you have a gut feeling that tells you that you're pregnant?

Thankfully, due to the advancement of medical sciences, you have plenty of options available in the form of pregnancy test kits to check pregnancy at home. But during the COVID-19 outbreak, you avoid going outside, especially when you might be pregnant. Here natural pregnancy tests come handy.

In this article, we are covering ten reliable home remedies for a pregnancy test.

In This Article

• What is a Home Pregnancy Test?
• What is a Homemade or Natural Pregnancy Test?
• When to Take a Pregnancy Test at Home?
• How do Homemade Pregnancy Tests Work?
• How Accurate are Homemade Pregnancy Tests?
• What are the Advantages of Using a Home Pregnancy Test?
• What are the Most Common Natural Pregnancy Tests?
• How to Increase the Accuracy of Homemade Pregnancy Tests?
• What to Do if I Get a Positive Pregnancy Test?
• Conclusion

#1. Home Pregnancy Test

Home pregnancy tests can tell whether you are pregnant or not, by checking for a pregnancy hormone, known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A woman's body makes this hormone after ~6 days of fertilization. A urine pregnancy test can detect it after 12-14 days of conception.

According to NHCS statistics, 8.88 million women in the U.S. used home pregnancy tests in 2019.

#2. Homemade (DIY) Pregnancy Test

A homemade pregnancy test is a do-it-yourself (DIY) pregnancy check that you can do at home with things like sugar, salt, toothpaste, and even bleach. If you want to check pregnancy at home without a kit, you can use the below mentioned ten natural pregnancy tests.

#3. Best Time To Take A Pregnancy Test

Since missed periods are the first and foremost symptom of conception, you can try a homemade pregnancy test a day or two after your missed period date. Make sure to use the first urine you pass in the morning.

For accurate pregnancy test results, it's highly recommended you wait until at least a week after your missed period.

Source: verywellfamily.com

Additionally, if your experiencing any of these early pregnancy signs or symptoms, try a pregnancy test at home:

• Nausea/vomiting
• Frequent urination
• Swollen or tender breasts
• Mild cramping
• Exhaustion/fatigue
• Mood swings
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Food cravings or aversions
• Abdominal bloating

#4. Homemade Pregnancy Tests Process

Homemade pregnancy tests work the same way as an over-the-counter or pregnancy kit test; by detecting the hCG hormone in your urine. If your pregnancy result is positive, you'll observe a chemical reaction between hCG in your urine and the natural ingredients used to conduct a homemade pregnancy test.

Pregnancy tests detect hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), pregnancy hormone in a woman's blood or urine. It comes from the cells of developing Placenta after you conceive.

#5. Home or Natural Pregnancy Tests Accuracy

If done correctly, home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate to check pregnancy.

The accuracy of a pregnancy test entirely depends on the level of hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone in the urine, which is highest in the first urine of the day.

For 100% accuracy, you must have a pregnancy blood test or ultrasound done through an OB/GYN specialist.

#6. Benefits of Homemade Pregnancy Test

A natural or homemade pregnancy test is inexpensive, easy to use, private, and quick to get pregnancy results. Here is the list of the advantages:

• Unplanned pregnancy, natural home pregnancy tests are quite helpful when you don't want others to know about it.
• Hiding or disposing of a pregnancy test kit can be difficult, but not when you use natural ingredients.
• You can do natural pregnancy tests with the ingredients readily available at home.
• These tests help you keep your potential pregnancy a secret until you become ready to reveal the good news.
• You can take the test in the comfort of your home.
• During COVID-19, you need not to go to your local store.

#7. Most Reliable Homemade Pregnancy Tests

Here go the ten most reliable pregnancy tests to check pregnancy at home that can be quickly done with the items which are generally available in every home:

#1. Pregnancy Check with The Urine in a Jar

Requirements
- A clean and dry glass jar or cup
- Your first-morning urine

Method
- Collect a sample of your first-morning urine in a clean glass jar or cup.
- Keep the jar on a flat surface
- After 24 hours, take a close look inside the container without shaking or picking it up.

Positive Result
If you notice a thin layer or film formed on the surface of the stored sample, then there is a strong likelihood that you're pregnant.

Negative Result
If you observe no change, then you're not pregnant.

#2. Pregnancy Test with Salt

Requirements
- A clean, clear bowl
- A tablespoon or two of salt
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Pour some urine sample into the bowl or cup and drop a pinch or two of salt.
- Give it from a few minutes to a few hours.

Positive Result
If you notice the formation of creamy white clumps, or your urine looks like 'milky' or 'cheesy,' you could be pregnant.

Negative Result
If there is no reaction whatsoever, then you're not pregnant.

#3. Shampoo Homemade Pregnancy Test

Requirements
- A clean bowl
- A few drops of shampoo
- Water
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Fill the bowl halfway with clean water.
- Add 2-3 drops of shampoo to the water to form a soapy solution. Whisk gently to avoid foaming.
- Now add a few drops of first-morning urine to it.
- Wait for around 5 minutes.

Positive Result
If the mixture begins to bubble and foam, then you might be pregnant.

Negative Result
If there is no reaction, then you're not pregnant.

#4. Sugar Pregnancy Test at Home

Requirements
- A clean and dry bowl/cup
- One tablespoon of crystallized sugar
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Add one tablespoon of crystallized sugar to the bowl.
- Pour about one tablespoon of the collected urine sample over it.
- Wait for at least 10 minutes.

Positive Result
If the sugar form clumps, it's a clear sign of pregnancy.

Negative Result
If the sugar dissolves, then there is no pregnancy.

#5. Bleach natural Pregnancy Test

Requirements
- A clean and dry cup and bowl
- Scent/chlorine-free bleaching powder
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Add one cup of bleaching powder to the bowl.
- Pour at least half a cup of urine sample over it.
- Wait for at least 5 minutes.

Positive Result
If the solution starts to foam and fizz, it's a strong indication of pregnancy.

Negative Result
If there is no reaction or very little fizzing, then you may not be carrying a baby.

#6. Pregnancy Test at Home with Toothpaste

Requirements
- A clean and dry bowl
- Plain white toothpaste with no shiny crystals or salt in it
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Take two tablespoons of toothpaste in the bowl
- Pour a tablespoon of urine sample over it.
- Wait for at least 5-10 minutes.

Positive Result
In the case of pregnancy, the toothpaste will turn blue and become frothy.

Negative Result
If there is no change in the mixture, then you're not pregnant.

#7. Soap Homemade Pregnancy Test

Requirements
- A clean and dry bowl
- A bar of bathing soap
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Place a small piece of soap in the bowl.
- Pour two tablespoons of urine sample over the soap.
- Wait for at least minutes to see the reaction.

Positive Result
If the soap bubbles and foam appears, then it's a sign of pregnancy.

Negative Result
If nothing happens, then there is no pregnancy.

#8. White Vinegar Homemade Pregnancy Test

Requirements
- A clean glass
- A stirring utensil
- Distilled white vinegar
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Add half a cup of distilled white vinegar in the glass.
- Add the urine sample to the vinegar and mix it properly.
- Wait for at least 5 minutes.

Positive Result
You could be pregnant if the vinegar changes color and forms bubbles.

Negative Result
No change in the color of vinegar indicates there's no pregnancy.

#9. Wine Homemade Pregnancy Test

Requirements
- A clean and dry cup
- Wine
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Take half a cup of wine and add an equal amount of urine to it.
- Mix it nicely.
- Wait for at least 10 minutes to see the reaction.

Positive Result
If there is a change in the color of wine, it means you're pregnant.

Negative Result
No change in wine color means no pregnancy.

#10. Baking Soda Homemade Pregnancy Test

Requirements
- A clean and dry container
- Baking soda
- First-morning urine sample

Method
- Add two tablespoons of baking soda to the container.
- Pour the urine sample over that container.
- Now observe the reaction.

Positive Result
If the mixture fizzles like beer or soda, your little one is on the way.

Negative Result
If the solution settles down with very few bubbles, then you have not conceived yet.

#8. Eight Tips on taking an Accurate Home Pregnancy Test

As per MedlinePlus, When used correctly, home pregnancy test kits are 97–99 percent accurate.

To ensure accurate pregnancy test results while taking a homemade pregnancy test, make sure that you follow the tips mentioned below:

• Always use the first urine of the day as it contains high levels of the hCG hormone, which is crucial for accuracy.
• Avoid urinating in the middle of the night as it may reduce the level of the hCG hormone in first-morning urine.
• Try the test to check pregnancy as you wake up early in the morning.
• Always use a clean and clear bowl to do a pregnancy test.
• void metal containers as they may interact with your urine or any chemical ingredients to affect the accuracy of the results.
• Regardless of the method used, you should always avoid shaking or disturbing the sample. Doing so may influence the results.
• You may repeat the pregnancy test or use multiple pregnancy test methods to ensure the outcome is correct.
• You need to be patient. Some tests may take up to 24 hrs to show a result.

#9. Nine Things to do After getting a Positive Pregnancy Test

Here are a few essential things you should do once you find out your pregnancy test is positive:

• Repeat the same homemade pregnancy test(s) the next morning.
• If you get the same pregnancy test results the following day, try to get a pregnancy test kit and retake it.
• If the test is positive, schedule your first prenatal appointment with your OB/GYN.
• Once your doctor confirms your pregnancy, write down the first day of your LMP (Last Menstrual Period) to help calculate your pregnancy due date.
• Start taking a prenatal vitamin.
• Start taking a healthy and nutritious pregnancy diet.
• Stay hydrated with plenty of water.
• Engage in some low to moderate pregnancy-safe exercises.
• You can also start working on your maternity wardrobe.

#10. Conclusion

If you are pregnant, you want to know as soon as feasible so that you can take better care of yourself and your baby. As per John Hopkins Medicine, First trimester is crucial to the development of a healthy fetus. If your period is late, take a urine pregnancy test at home for initial confirmation. It can detect pregnancy hormone hCG to confirm the pregnancy. 

To check pregnancy at home naturally, you can also use a homemade pregnancy test using sugar, salt, soap, etc. Homemade pregnancy tests are easy to use, inexpensive, and readily available.

Like over-the-counter Prega News, I-Can pregnancy tests, homemade pregnancy tests check for the presence of hCG in your urine.

To get the accurate pregnancy result, just make sure to check at least two days after your missed period date or preferably a week after. And try in the morning.

If your test comes positive, contact your doctor for a follow-up.

Pregnancy Resources:

• Pregnancy test calculator: You can also try our am I pregnant? quiz for online pregnancy test.
• Early Pregnancy Symptoms and Signs: list of some possible signs and symptoms of a pregnant woman.
• Coronavirus & Pregnancy: COVID-19 symptoms and precautions during pregnancy.