Soon after conception, a woman's body begins to produce the hormone HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin. A positive pregnancy test indicates that this hormone has been detected. While urine pregnancy tests look only for the presence or absence of HCG, blood tests can determine either presence/absence of HCG (qualitative tests) or the amount of HCG present (quantitative tests). If you do not need the specificity of a quantitative blood test, a home urine pregnancy test is a convenient, inexpensive way to find out if you are pregnant. The EPT Pregnancy Test is one such test.
Step 1
Wait the appropriate period of time after using the test as instructed in the directions provided with your test. As of January 2010, this was 2 minutes for the standard test and 3 minutes for the digital test; however,always follow the instructions for your particular test.
Step 2
Look at the symbol shown in the round result window for the standard test after the appropriate time has elapsed. A negative or minus sign indicates that no HCG was detected and you are not pregnant. A positive or plus sign indicates that HCG was detected and you are pregnant.
Step 3
Read the words shown in the oval result window for the digital test after the appropriate time has elapsed. The words "not pregnant" means you are not pregnant and no HCG was detected. The word "pregnant" means that HCG was detected and you are pregnant.
Step 4
Schedule prenatal care if you are pregnant. Schedule a follow-up test or doctor's appointment if you are not pregnant and your period doesn't begin within a week.
Tips and Warnings
- While uncommon, urine pregnancy tests can be wrong; check with your doctor as needed. Always follow the instructions that come with your test for best results. Some tests can be used the day you miss your period while others recommend waiting a few days; check your test package for instructions and details.
