The journey of parenthood is a profound and life-altering experience, one that often begins with the anticipation of a new life. As couples or individuals embark on this transformative path, the need for accurate and accessible methods of confirming pregnancy becomes crucial.
Before modern pregnancy test kits were invented, women would use homemade pregnancy tests. A lot of these natural pregnancy tests are useful and can be easily done with kitchen ingredients. While commercial pregnancy tests are readily available today, there’s a growing interest in exploring alternative options that are not only cost-effective but also rely on everyday household items. Read on to learn the various home remedies for pregnancy tests.
Benefits of Homemade Pregnancy Tests
There are some obvious and some not-so-obvious benefits of a natural pregnancy test. Here are some of them:
- A natural pregnancy test is useful in case of an unplanned pregnancy.
- You don’t need to buy a pregnancy test kit. So, you can keep your pregnancy a secret.
- These tests can be done using the ingredients available at home.
- They are cheaper as compared to kits.
- You do not need to worry about the expiry date of the test.
How to Check Pregnancy at Home?
A visit to a gynecologist is the most reliable way of checking for pregnancy. You can also use a DIY pregnancy test, though it’s not very reliable.
Most DIY pregnancy tests analyze the urine, so make sure you collect the urine as soon as you wake up in the morning. Drink plenty of water and wait till your bladder feels full before collecting.
Note that the sample should be sufficient to perform the test a second time.
Homemade Pregnancy Tests You Can Perform
1. Sugar Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: Sugar, a clean bowl, a urine sample (collected first thing in the morning).
🔹 Method:
- Place one tablespoon of sugar in a bowl.
- Pour a tablespoon of urine over the sugar.
- Observe the reaction.
🔹 Positive Sign: If the sugar clumps together and does not dissolve, you are likely pregnant.
🔹 Negative Sign: If the sugar dissolves quickly, you are not pregnant.
🔹 Caution: Ensure the bowl is dry before adding sugar to prevent misleading results.
2. Toothpaste Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: White toothpaste (avoid colored or gel-based), a clean bowl, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Add two tablespoons of toothpaste to a bowl.
- Pour one tablespoon of urine into the toothpaste.
- Stir and wait for a few minutes.
🔹 Positive Sign: If the mixture turns bluish or becomes foamy, you are likely pregnant.
🔹 Negative Sign: No reaction means no pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: No precise urine-to-toothpaste ratio exists, so results may vary.
3. Soap Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: A bar of soap, a clean bowl, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Place the soap in the bowl.
- Pour two tablespoons of urine onto the soap.
🔹 Positive Sign: If bubbles or froth appear, you are likely pregnant.
🔹 Negative Sign: No reaction means no pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: Any soap can be used, but antibacterial soaps may alter results.
4. Mustard Powder Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: ½ cup mustard powder, a warm bath.
🔹 Method:
- Add mustard powder to a warm bath.
- Soak in the bath for about 25 minutes.
- Wait for 2-3 days.
🔹 Positive Sign: If your period does not start within three days, you may be pregnant.
🔹 Negative Sign: If your period begins, the delay was not due to pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: This method does not confirm pregnancy; it only helps induce a late period.
5. Shampoo Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: Shampoo, water, a clean bowl, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Mix two drops of shampoo with some water to make a soapy solution.
- Add a few drops of urine to the mixture.
🔹 Positive Sign: If the mixture foams up, you may be pregnant.
🔹 Negative Sign: No reaction means no pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: Avoid excessive shaking, as it may create foam, leading to false results.
6. Dettol Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: 1 tbsp Dettol, 3 tbsp urine, a glass.
🔹 Method:
- Mix Dettol and urine in a 1:3 ratio in a glass.
- Let it sit for 5-7 minutes.
🔹 Positive Sign: If urine forms a separate layer on top, you may be pregnant.
🔹 Negative Sign: If the mixture blends completely, no pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: Avoid excessive stirring, as it may alter results.
7. Salt Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: A pinch of salt, a clean glass, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Pour urine into the glass.
- Add a pinch of salt and wait for 3 minutes.
🔹 Positive Sign: If a creamy white clump forms, pregnancy is likely.
🔹 Negative Sign: If no reaction occurs, no pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: Ensure the glass is clean to avoid misleading results.
8. Vinegar Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: White vinegar, a clean glass, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Pour vinegar into a glass.
- Add urine slowly and observe.
🔹 Positive Sign: A change in color indicates pregnancy.
🔹 Negative Sign: No color change means no pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: Avoid stirring, as it may create bubbles that interfere with results.
9. Pine-Sol Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: Pine-sol (without fragrance), a urine sample, a glass.
🔹 Method:
- Pour some Pine-Sol into a glass.
- Add urine and observe.
🔹 Positive Sign: If the mixture turns bluish-green, you may be pregnant.
🔹 Negative Sign: No color change means no pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: Avoid scented Pine-Sol, as it may alter the reaction.
10. Baking Soda Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: Baking soda, a clean bowl, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Add baking soda to the bowl.
- Pour urine over it and observe.
🔹 Positive Sign: Bubbles and fizz indicate pregnancy.
🔹 Negative Sign: No reaction means no pregnancy.
11. Storing Urine Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: A clean glass jar, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Collect urine in the jar.
- Let it sit undisturbed for 24 hours.
🔹 Positive Sign: A thin white film on top indicates pregnancy.
🔹 Negative Sign: No layer means no pregnancy.
12. Bleaching Powder Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: Bleaching powder, a clean glass, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Add bleach to the glass.
- Pour urine over it and wait.
🔹 Positive Sign: Fizzing and bubbles indicate pregnancy.
🔹 Negative Sign: No reaction means no pregnancy.
🔹 Caution: Avoid inhaling fumes.
13. Wheat & Barley Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: Wheat and barley seeds, a bowl, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Soak seeds in urine.
- Wait 2-3 days.
🔹 Positive Sign: If seeds sprout, pregnancy is likely.
🔹 Negative Sign: No sprouting means no pregnancy.
14. Wine Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: Wine, a clean glass, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Mix equal parts wine and urine.
- Observe color change.
🔹 Positive Sign: Color change indicates pregnancy.
🔹 Negative Sign: No change means no pregnancy.
15. Dandelion Leaves Pregnancy Test
🔹 What You Need: Dandelion leaves, a urine sample.
🔹 Method:
- Pour urine over leaves.
- Wait 10 minutes.
🔹 Positive Sign: Leaves turn reddish-brown.
🔹 Negative Sign: No change means no pregnancy.
Are These Tests 100% Accurate?
No, DIY pregnancy tests are never 100% accurate. Though these tests are similar to pregnancy test kits, the results could be inaccurate for various reasons. Always follow up with a doctor’s visit regardless of the results.
When Should You Take a Homemade Pregnancy Test?
Take a DIY pregnancy test a day or two after missing your period. Some early pregnancy symptoms to watch for include nausea, vomiting, sore breasts, frequent urination, fatigue, and bloating.
Final Words
Homemade pregnancy tests are a fun and simple way to check for pregnancy, but they should not replace medically approved pregnancy tests. If you suspect you are pregnant, it’s best to consult a doctor for confirmation and further guidance.
References/Resources:
1. Signs of Pregnancy/The Pregnancy Test; stanfordchildrens.org;
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=signs-of-pregnancythe-pregnancy-test-85-P01236
2. Pregnancy Tests; my.clevelandclinic.org;
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9703-pregnancy-tests
3. Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?; mayoclinic.org;
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940
4. C. Gnoth, S. Johnson; Strips of Hope: Accuracy of Home Pregnancy Tests and New Developments; National Library of Medicine;
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4119102/;
5. 17 Homemade (DIY) Pregnancy Tests To Try; hmhb.org;
https://www.hmhb.org/homemade-diy-pregnancy-tests/
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