Want to test your pregnancy right at home?
Go for an EPT pregnancy test!
It is an inexpensive, easy to use and accurate test of pregnancy which can be tried out in the home. EPT makes two types of tests- a plus/minus test and a certainty test. The plus/minus is a standard pregnancy test which specifies whether the pregnancy is positive or negative.
Read more on Health Effects of Smoking during pregnancy.
If a single line is displayed, the result is negative but with two lines, it is positive. The EPT certainty test has a result window where the result appears as “pregnant” or “not pregnant”. It is a digital pregnancy test.
The EPT pregnancy test kit is basically a plastic container containing certain enzymes. One of them reacts in the presence of urine while a second enzyme reacts in the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone.
This hormone is produced only after conceiving. When detected, this indicates a positive mark in the plus/minus test and displays “pregnant” in the certainty test.
The EPT pregnancy test is believed to be 99% accurate in its results in detecting pregnancy. Variations to the result of this test occur only when there is no detectable level of hormones in the body of the woman.
It is better to go for the pregnancy test in the morning and that too fours day before the period date.
Using the test kit is quite simple. All the instructions are mentioned in the manual attached to it. The EPT pregnancy test stick is opened and its cap is removed to open the absorbent tip.
It is to be hold by the thumb grip and point the tip downwards. Then it is exposed to either flowing urine or urine contained in a container.
After 20 seconds, stick is placed on a flat surface for at least two minutes. The result display window is kept upwards. A light blue colour moves across the windows.
Waiting for the results is important so as to get the correct results. A line in the square window indicates that the test is done correctly. After around 10 minutes results can be checked.
Interpreting the results of the EPT pregnancy test is equally simple. If the pregnancy test is positive, then a plus (+) sign with some shades of blue, is displayed in the window.
This implies that the next step should be to consult the health care provider regarding further pregnancy steps. However, if the result is negative, that is, a woman is not pregnant, then a minus (-) sign will appear in the result window.
If the woman does not experience menstrual period within a week, this test is to done again. If the result is same as before, then she should consult a doctor to find out the reasons.
Although EPT pregnancy test is easy and simple, yet it is not guaranteed to be true. In case you have doubts, you can re-try the test. If again dissatisfied, then better to consult your physician.
There are many factors which affect the result obtained from the test. Intake of drugs can affect the test, especially when it contains hCG or is in a combination with hCG.
Pregnancy related conditions and medical ailments like ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst and other complications are likely to affect the result found from the pregnancy test.
If the results are going beyond the expectations, it is advisable to contact the health care practitioner as soon as possible.
Using EPT test after miscarriage may show a positive mark. Same is the case when tried within nine weeks after the birth of the baby.
These results are actually false but they keep showing a positive mark probably due to the detection of presence of the hCG from the previous pregnancy. Asking for a doctor’s advice in these situations is important rather than pondering over them.
How to Take an EPT Pregnancy Test (Video)
There are many factors which affect the test results in EPT test. However, there are many other factors which do not affect the EPT pregnancy test.
They include consumption of alcohol, intake of drugs, steroids or pain killers, courses of antibiotics and other powerful medicines and intake of birth control pills or hormone therapies.
Since the test kit is of the size of a stick, it is portable and can be kept at homes. But they should be kept out of reach of children and should be stored at room temperature.
Nothing can be better than going for the initial pregnancy test with such ease. All thanks to the EPT pregnancy test.