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Home methods to check pregnancy were used before the modern pregnancy test kits were invented. People living in medieval times had no access to commercially available pregnancy testing kits and were forced to rely on primitive methods.
Benefits of Natural Pregnancy Tests
There are some obvious and not-so-obvious benefits to a natural pregnancy test. Below are some of the benefits of natural ways to test pregnancy:
- A natural pregnancy test is useful in the event of an unplanned pregnancy as it is quick.
- Natural pregnancy tests save you the embarrassment of asking for pregnancy test kits on a store counter.
- These tests allow you to keep your possible pregnancy a secret.
- These tests can be done using things readily available at home.
- Natural pregnancy tests are cheaper as compared to
- You do not need to worry about the shelf life ofnatural pregnancy tests.
How To Check Pregnancy at Home?
Visiting a doctor is the most reliable way to check for pregnancy. If that option is not accessible, there are various ways to check for pregnancy via a DIY pregnancy test.
Most DIY pregnancy tests analyse your urine. Make sure you collect the urine as soon as you wake up in the morning, as it is most concentrated then and will give accurate results. Drink plenty of water and wait till your bladder feels full before collecting.
Note that the collected sample should be of sufficient quantity if you feel the need to repeat the test.
16 Best Pregnancy Test You Can Perform at Home
Given below are 15 DIY natural pregnancy tests that can be easily done at home with readily available ingredients.
1. Sugar Pregnancy Test
Sugar has been used to test for pregnancy from time immemorial and is the most common natural pregnancy testamong women.
What You Need:
- A clean bowl
- One tablespoon of sugar
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Take one tablespoon of sugar in the bowl and pour the collected urine sample on the sugar. Now wait and watch.
Positive Sign:
The urine of a pregnant women contains the hormone hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone prevents sugar from dissolving.If you notice that the sugar does not readily dissolve but form clumps instead, it is a clear sign of pregnancy.
Negative Sign :
If the sugar readily dissolves in the urine, it means that the urine does not contain hCG and therefore, you’re not pregnant.
Caution :
This test is relatively harmless, and no special safety measures and protocols need to be followed.
2. Toothpaste Pregnancy Test
Toothpaste is a relatively modern ingredient for natural pregnancy tests as it wasn’t around centuries ago. Only white toothpaste is preferred as additional ingredients in coloured toothpaste may interfere with the results.
What You Need:
- A clean bowl
- Two tablespoons of toothpaste
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Take two tablespoons of toothpaste in the bowl, add a tablespoon of the collected urine sample. Wait and observe.
Positive Sign:
In case of pregnancy, the toothpaste will react with the urine to become blue in colour. It may also turn frothy.
Negative Sign:
In case of negative pregnancy, the toothpaste would not react with the urine at all.
Caution:
While this test is useful and can be easily done at home, there are certain drawbacks. For one, there are no prescribed guidelines on how much urine needs to be added to the toothpaste. Secondly, the time it takes for the reaction to happen can vary.
3. Soap Pregnancy Test
This is a very useful test and can be easily done at home. Almost any soap can be used for this test regardless of make, colour or addition of fragrance.
What You Need:
- A clean bowl
- A bar of soap
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Place the soap in the bowl, pour two tablespoons of urine on the soap and observe.
Positive Sign:
If the soap froths and bubbles appear, then it is likely that you are pregnant.
Negative Sign:
If there is no pregnancy, there would be no reaction between the soap and urine sample.
Caution:
None
4. Mustard Powder Pregnancy Test
In the event that you have missed your periods and suspect that pregnancy could be the case, then you should consider the mustard powder test for pregnancy. Mustard powder is known to induce periods.
What You Need:
- A bathtub full of warm water
- ½ – ¾ cup of mustard powder
Method:
Add mustard powder to the warm water in the bathtub, and immerse yourself in it for twenty to twenty-five minutes. Wash yourself and wait for two to three days.
Positive Sign:
Since mustard assists in inducing periods, you should have your periods in two to three days. If the periods don’t kick in, then it’s likely that you’re pregnant.
Negative Sign:
The onset of periods within three days of this test would indicate that your periods were delayed for reasons other than pregnancy.
Caution:
None
5. Shampoo Pregnancy Test
This test is just as convenient as the toothpaste and soap pregnancy test. It requires no specialised tools and the results can be observed instantly.
What You Need:
- A clean bowl
- Two drops of shampoo
- Water
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Put two drops of shampoo in a clean bowl, add some water to form a soapy solution, and whisk gently to avoid foaming. Now add a few drops of the collected urine and observe.
Positive Sign:
If the shampoo solution begins to froth or forms bubbles, it is a sign that you may be pregnant.
Negative Sign:
If there is no reaction, you can safely assume that you are not pregnant.
Caution:
Mixing shampoo and water to form a soapy solution without frothing is tricky as the presence of froth can interfere with the results.
6. Dettol Pregnancy Test
Dettol is a commercially available mild antiseptic for treating minor cuts and bruises at home. This product may also be used to conduct a natural pregnancy test. Here’s how.
What You Need:
- A clean glass
- One tablespoon of Dettol
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Pour one tablespoon of Dettol into the glass, add 3 tablespoons of urine such that Dettol and urine are in the ratio of 1:3.. Sit back and observe for five to seven minutes.
Positive Sign:
If the urine separates from the Dettol to form a separate layer on top, it means you are pregnant.
Negative Sign:
If the solution mixes and does not separate, then the result is negative i.e. there is no pregnancy.
Caution:
None
7. Salt Pregnancy Test
Table salt is also a very effective substance for a natural pregnancy test. Its main advantage lies in the fact that it is one of the cheapest and reliable tests.
What You Need:
- A clean glass
- A pinch or two of salt
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Pour some urine sample into the glass, add a pinch or two of salt, and observe for at least three minutes.
Positive Sign:
If the salt reacts with the urine, you will observe creamy white clumps being formed; this is a definite sign of pregnancy.
Negative Sign:
If there is no reaction whatsoever, the result is negative.
Caution:
None
8. Vinegar Pregnancy Test
Vinegar is a form of acid that is dilute and an important ingredient used in Chinese cuisine. Vinegar can also be used to test for pregnancy naturally. You can use plain white vinegar which is low priced and readily available in any grocery store.
What You Need:
- A clean glass
- White vinegar
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Pour some vinegar into the glass and add the urine sample to it. Let the solution sit for 5 minutes and observe the results.
Positive Sign:
Any change in the colour of vinegar is an indication of pregnancy.
Negative Sign:
If there is no visible change in the colour, it means there’s no pregnancy.
Caution:
Add the urine sample slowly to the vinegar to avoid frothing. Bubbles and frothing would affect the accuracy of the test.
9. Pine-Sol Pregnancy Test
Pine-sol is a common household antimicrobial agent. It is made from needle-like leaves and other parts of the pine tree and is golden brown in colour. A pine-sol pregnancy test is considered very accurate and therefore, popular.
What You Need:
- A clean glass
- Pine-sol
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Pour some pine-sol into the glass, add the urine sample and observe.
Positive Sign:
In the event of a pregnancy, the pine-sol will change to a bluish -green colour.
Negative Sign:
No change in colour means that you are not pregnant.
Caution:
Pine-sol is available with fragrance. For this test, unscented, regular golden-brown pine-sol should be used.
10. Wheat & Barley Pregnancy Test
An ancient recipe holds that wheat and barley seeds germinate three times fasterina pregnant woman’s urine than water.
What You Need:
- A bowl
- Wheat and barley seeds
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Put some wheat and barley seeds in a bowl, add the urine sample and wait for a couple of days.
Positive Sign:
If the seeds germinate in a couple of days, you could be pregnant.
Negative Sign:
No germination of seeds means no pregnancy.
Caution:
None
11. Dandelion Leaves Pregnancy Test
If you have a dandelion plant in your backyard, you can use its leaves to test for pregnancy. Pregnancy tests using dandelion leaves are considered extremely accurate and have been popular throughout the ages.
What You Need:
- A plastic sheet
- Dandelion leaves
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Place the dandelion leaves on the plastic sheet such that it is away from direct sunlight. Now pour the urine sample on the leaves so that they are completely soaked. Observe the mix for ten minutes.
Positive Sign:
If the dandelion leaves turn reddish brown or form bubbles, then it is a sign of pregnancy.
Negative Sign:
If there are no visible changes to the leaves, then you may not be pregnant.
Caution:
Only use freshly plucked leaves as older leaves may affect the accuracy of this test.
12. Bleaching Powder Pregnancy Test
Bleaching powder is also an effective substance you can use to test for pregnancy. The advantage of bleaching powder is that the results can be observed quickly.
What You Need:
- A clean glass
- Bleaching powder
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Add bleaching powder to the glass, pour the urine sample intoit and observe.
Positive Sign:
If there is an immediate reaction with a fizzing sound and lots of bubbles and frothing, it is a strong indication of pregnancy.
Negative Sign:
If the solution settles down with no bubbles then there is no pregnancy.
Caution:
Fumes produced by the reaction of urine and bleaching powder are toxic, so keep your distance to avoid inhalation.
13. Baking Soda Pregnancy Test
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is an ingredient that is particularly useful for making leavened bread. As incredible as it is for baking, baking soda can also be used to test for pregnancy at home.
What You Need:
- A clean bowl
- Baking soda
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Put some baking soda in a bowl, pour the urine sample over it and observe.
Positive Sign:
If there is a reaction with bubbles and fizz, then you are pregnant.
Negative Sign:
If there are very few bubbles, then there is no pregnancy.
Caution:
This test is relatively safe and the reaction of baking soda with urine will not produce any fumes or harmful gases.
14. Storing Urine Pregnancy Test
The urine in a jar test is the most commonly used test throughout history. You can predict whether you’re pregnant by just storing and observing your urine.
What You Need:
- A clean glass jar
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Collect a sample of urine in a glass jar and let it stand for a day.
Positive Sign:
If you observe a thin film or layer on the surface of the sample after a period of twenty-four hours, then there is a strong likelihood of pregnancy.
Negative Sign:
If there is no such layer, then you are not pregnant.
Caution:
It is a safe test and does not require any safety protocols to be followed.
15. Tuna Juice & Vinegar Pregnancy Test
Considered to be one of the most accurate do-it-yourself tests at home, the tuna and vinegar pregnancy test has the highest probability of yielding accurate results.
What You Need:
- A clean glass jar
- White vinegar
- Canned tuna
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Strain some juice out of the canned tuna into a glass jar, and add an equal amount of white vinegar. Mix and let it sit for a day at room temperature. On the next day, add the urinesample to it.
Positive Sign:
If the mix turns dark green, it indicates that you are pregnant.
Negative Sign:
Yellow colour would indicate that you are not pregnant.
Caution:
None
16. Wine Pregnancy Test
Did you know that you can also use wine to test for conception?
What You Need:
- Wine
- A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning
Method:
Take half a cup of each of wine and urine and mix them. Wait and observe.
Positive Sign:
If the colour of the wine changes, it is a sign of pregnancy.
Negative Sign:
If there’s no change in colour, you may not be carrying a baby.
Caution:
None
Tips To Increase The Accuracy Of Homemade Pregnancy Test
In general, DIY pregnancy tests are a good way to determine the presence of hCG in the urine. To enhance the accuracy of the tests, certain precautions need to be kept in mind.
- All bowls, jars, cups or any other utensils used for these tests should be clean and free from germs.
- The sample of urine collected for the test should be the first urine that you pass in the morning. That’s because the first urine has a greater concentration of the hormone hCG which is crucial for accuracy.
- Ideally, the test should be done in the morning, as soon as you wake up.
- Drink enough water the previous night to ensure that you have sufficient urine to conduct multiple tests, if necessary.
- Some tests may take longer to show a reaction.
- Use a plastic container and spatula to maintain hygeine during the test. Avoid metal containers as they may interact with chemical ingredients to reduce accuracy of the result. Use disposable containers for tests that require the use of bleach and pine sol.
- Don’t shake or disturb the sample while you wait for a reaction to happen.
Are These Tests 100% Accurate?
The simple answer is no! DIY pregnancy tests are never 100% accurate. Though these tests are similar to commercially available pregnancy testing kits, the results could be inaccurate for various reasons.
Some of the reasons are that there are no clear guidelines for these tests. Some tests don’t mention in the ratio in which the ingredients should be added. Furthermore, the quantity and quality of ingredients could delay the time taken for a reaction.
DIY pregnancy tests should always be followed by a visit to the doctor, regardless of the results.
When Should You Take a Homemade Pregnancy Test?
If you’re wondering when you should take a DIY pregnancy test, we have the answer! As missed periods are a reliable sign of conception, you can use these tests a day or two after your missed period date. Some signs you can also look out for before taking the above-mentioned tests are nausea, vomiting, tender and sore breasts, frequent urination, fatigue and bloating.
These tests are very useful if you want to keep your pregnancy a secret. Natural pregnancy tests conducted at home, however, can be very useful to deal with the anxiety that an unplanned pregnancy can cause. The ease of conducting these tests and the ready availability of ingredients makes them very convenient for women who wish to know whether there’s good news.
