Homemade Pregnancy Tests: According to Experts

Homemade pregnancy tests have been around since before over-the-counter tests were available, and are a quick, fun way to test for pregnancy without having to run to the store.

Believe it or not, many items around your house like vinegar, sugar, toothpaste, bleach, and even dandelions can be used for DIY at-home pregnancy tests. You can even get a better idea of the gender by seeing how your urine reacts with baking soda.

We’ll cover how accurate homemade pregnancy tests are, how they work, when you should take them, and what to do if you get a positive result.

Keep In Mind

All homemade pregnancy tests are anecdotal, and there is no scientific evidence to prove that they are accurate. Be sure to keep in mind that these tests are just for fun. If you think you may be pregnant, a store-bought test or a visit to your doctor are still the most reliable ways to get confirmation.

For many women, becoming a mother is the most desirable feeling. Missing your period is the first sign that can indicate pregnancy. While one can always find test kits available in the market, homemade pregnancy kits have been used by women for decades. A lot of them are based on folk remedies and can deliver good results, as they work by detecting the level of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin ), pregnancy hormones in the urine.

With the advancement of medicine, we have a plenty of options in the form of readily available pregnancy kits, there are a lot of simple, safe and super cheap options available right in the comfort of our homes.

The best part of these do-it-yourself pregnancy tests is the privacy that they provide. So, if you are fretting over an unplanned pregnancy or want to retain the secrecy, we are listing down 8 DIY natural pregnancy tests.

Are there any benefits to the tests?

Homemade tests do have some benefits to them. If you have an unplanned pregnancy and want to hide it from your close ones, homemade supplies won't doubt suspicions. Plus, since most of these ingredients are easy to find, you can take it in the comfort of your home without having to step out. Many of the supplies do not even have an expiry date so can be used safely.

​Bleach pregnancy test

This method is said to give the most accurate and quicker result than any other method.

Take a clean container and collect urine in it. Now add some bleaching powder to it and mix it properly to avoid lumps. If the mixture forms a foam or fizz, it means you are pregnant and if there is no foam, you are not pregnant.

Sugar pregnancy test

The easiest of all tests, this method was most widely used when there were no scientific pregnancy kits available.

Take one tablespoon of sugar in a bowl and add one tablespoon of urine to it. Now notice how sugar reacts after you pour urine on it. If the sugar starts forming clumps, it means you are pregnant and if the sugar dissolves quickly, it means you are not pregnant.

The hCG hormone released from the urine does not allow the sugar to dissolve properly.

​Toothpaste pregnancy test

You can use any toothpaste but make sure it should be white in colour.

Take two tablespoons of white toothpaste in a container and add the urine sample to it. If the toothpaste changes its colour and becomes frothy, you are pregnant.

​Vinegar pregnancy test

Yes, even vinegar can help you test your pregnancy. Remember, you will need white vinegar for this particular test.

Take two tablespoons of white vinegar in a plastic container. Add your urine to it and mix it properly. If the vinegar changes its colour and forms bubbles, you are pregnant and if there is no change you are not pregnant.

Salt pregnancy test

This DIY pregnancy kit works just like the sugar test. Instead of the sugar, salt is used. The same steps are to be followed. Urine and salt are to be mixed in equal parts. Wait for a minute. If the salt forms a creamy white clump of sorts, it means a positive result. If no such effect is seen, it might mean you are not pregnant. This again is based on tradition and there is no scientific evidence to support the same.

​Soap pregnancy test

You can use any type of bathing soap for performing this test. Take a small piece of soap and pour your urine on it. If it forms bubbles, it means you are pregnant and if not, you are not pregnant.

​Baking soda pregnancy test

Take two tablespoons of baking soda and add two tablespoons of urine to it. Now observe the reaction. If you see bubbles like you see when you open a soda bottle, you are pregnant.

​Wine pregnancy test

A little expensive and time taking but wine test is another reliable method to test pregnancy at home.

Take half a cup of wine and add an equal amount of urine to it. Mix it nicely and wait for 10 minutes to observe the reaction. If the original colour of the wine changes, that means you are pregnant.

​Tips

If you try one of the above tests and it turns positive, try another method to be sure. If the second method also gives a positive result, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

​How to increase the accuracy of the homemade pregnancy test

• Use the first urine of the day as it has concentrated hCG levels.
• Make sure to use a clean plastic container to collect the urine.
• Collect a considerable amount of urine for the test. If it is too little, it may not be sufficient to give the correct result.
• Wait for five to 10 minutes for the reaction to occur.
• You can also repeat the method or use the second method to be double sure.

Are these tests scientifically reliable?

Even though homemade tests have been used by generations and there's a lot of history behind their usage, there is no conclusive proof or scientific evidence that any of these tests work to deliver a 100% positive result. A good result can be resultant of coincidence as well.

Apart from homemade tests, certain fertility monitoring tools and awareness methods(such as measuring basal body temperature, tracking ovulation dates) can make a woman aware of her pregnancy. While they are reliable, they take a longer time to process and need prior knowledge.