Home pregnancy tests detect if the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone, which your body produces during pregnancy, is present in your urine. The E.P.T. Pregnancy Test and E.P.T. Certainty (digital) Pregnancy Test allow you to find out if you've conceived as early as the first day of a missed period. The manufacturer instructs that tests should not be used before the first day you miss your period. Also, the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) warns that testing too soon can present faint results. It is best to wait one week after you miss your period before using a home pregnancy test.
Step 1
Use the E.P.T. pregnancy test according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Once the test stick is removed from the wrapper, it should be held tip down under urine flow for 5 to 7 seconds or dipped in a clean container of urine for 20 seconds (15 seconds for the digital test).
Step 2
Wait for 2 minutes after using the regular E.P.T. Pregnancy Test or 3 minutes after using the digital E.P.T. Certainty Pregnancy Test. The test stick may be placed on a flat surface with the circular window facing up.
Step 3
Read the results in the circular window of the E.P.T. test stick. The nondigital test will yield either a "+" or "-" symbol, a "+" indicating that you are likely pregnant. The digital stick will give you a reading of "Pregnant" or "Not Pregnant."
Step 4
If an E.P.T.-brand home pregnancy test indicates that you are not pregnant but you have reason to suspect that you are, the NWHIC advises testing yourself again in a few days or a week. Confirmation from a physician is recommended.
Tips and Warnings
- Once urine touches the tip of the digital E.P.T. test stick, the words "Test Ready" will flash in the display window for up to 30 seconds. This indicates that your test is processing.
- The manufacturer notes that a false positive result is possible if you have given birth in the past 8 weeks or have had a miscarriage. The NWHIC warns that taking certain medications can yield a false positive result, although this occurrence is rare. Medications containing the hormone HGC, typically used to treat infertility, can affect the accuracy of your home pregnancy test.
Things You'll Need
- E.P.T. Pregnancy Test or E.P.T. Certainty Pregnancy Test
