Throughout the centuries, women have used varying methods to find out if they were pregnant. Many of these methods were inaccurate, inconvenient or time consuming. With the invention of the home pregnancy test, confirming pregnancy became a simple and private process. Many brands of home pregnancy tests are available today, including Clear Blue.
History
In 1977, the United States Food and Drug Administration gave approval for the first home pregnancy test. These tests were complicated, involving vials and test tubes, and did not give results for two hours. These tests were 97 percent accurate for positive results and 80 percent accurate for negative results.
In later years, pregnancy tests like those made by Clear Blue became more streamlined units that could give results when placed in the urine stream. Accuracy rates also improved to over 99 percent if used after a missed period.
Function
Clear Blue pregnancy tests check for the presence of human chorionic gonadotrophin, or hCG, in your urine. This hormone is only present in pregnant women, so if the test detects hCG, you get a positive result.
You may urinate into a clean, dry cup and dip the test strip into the urine or hold the test in the stream as you urinate. Either method delivers accurate results if the test is in contact with your urine for the appropriate length of time. This amount of time is five seconds for both when you test in your urine stream or in a cup with the Clear Blue Easy. Immerse the digital test strip in your urine for 20 seconds if you urinate into a cup.
Features
There are two types of Clear Blue pregnancy tests. The primary difference is in how you read them. Clear Blue Easy displays a plus sign if you are pregnant and a minus sign if you are not. The digital test displays the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant." Both types of tests have a control feature to show that the test has functioned properly.
Time Frame
You should wait until your menstrual period is due or late to take a Clear Blue pregnancy test, as this gives the greatest accuracy. However, if you would like results sooner, you may test up to five days before your period is due. Wait two minutes to read a Clear Blue Easy test. Do not read a digital test until three minutes has passed.
Considerations
In order to increase the odds of getting an accurate result on a Clear Blue pregnancy test, use your first morning urine. This urine is concentrated, making the hCG easier to detect.
Do not read a Clear Blue Easy test after 10 minutes has elapsed, as changes may occur that can lead to a false reading. A Clear Blue digital test will display the original result for 24 hours--do not read it after that.
If you get a negative result but your period is late, test again in three days. If you receive a second negative result and you still do not have your period, you should visit your doctor.
