Using Home Pregnancy Tests
 

Do they only work around the time you're supposed to have your period, or just after, or can they work like, any time 3 weeks after pregnancy?

Most of them are pretty sensitive --at least the brand names - like EPT - and will give you a result within a few days of a missed period. However, false positives and false negatives canhappen.

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don't even bother with one until you're at least a week late. While some tests can pick up on pregnancy hormones a week after conception, it will just up your stress levels. Also, as was said before, there *is* such a thing as a false positive. It's a good idea to take one at home, then if it is positive go to the doctor to get a confirmation- but make sure your confirmation test is a blood test and not a urine test (because the urine tests at the doctor are the same thing that you'll buy off the shelf.) A blood test looks for (some hormone I can't remember the name of) that's in the blood of a woman who is pregnant. Not only is it impossible for it to be a false positive, it can also tell you about how far she is along.

From my experience with HPT's, they can be used really close to when you are supposed to have your period. There are more false negatives, than false positives. First morning urine is the most accurate. And I agree, if positive, go to the doctor for a blood test.

I think there are a couple brands that say they can work a few days before you miss your period...but I'd take the previous posters advice, and wait until a week late. Worrying about pregnancy can cause a late period due to the stress (personal experience talking here). Also, I found out I was pregnant using a store brand test; IMO, any brand is as good as the next.

Funny thing about the 99cent store. They keep their pregnancy tests near the register with the other "last minute shopping", "impluse shopping" items like candy and breath mints. Now how many women walk pass those and say, "Hey, I think I might be pregnant."? And although the quality stuff from there varies from awesome (Earl Gray Tea from England) to crap (booklight that stopped working) the p-test isn't something I recommend.

But since they're that cheap, you can buy a few, use them and take the 2 out of 3 approach.

so, if you're say, several weeks late, it should work right? and does it still register as positive throughout the term of the pregnancy? like, months into it?

If someone is several weeks, i.e. more than a month, late, then I would recommend going to a doctor and not messing with a HPT. This is, of course, if the person has a regular cycle.

still, if someone is say, a month late, or has irregular cycles, does the HPT still work? or does it only work around certain times of the cycle?

hobo, I think by the time someone is a month late they are past the HPT test. I wanted to be sure so I went for the doctors test, both the blood and the urine. My blood came back as 'take your pick'. I'm like what the... ! . The doctor explained that I was showing both chromosomes in the blood and that the levels were equal (xy & yy from memory??). The urine test however, showed negative. The only way I knew was a few months later I had no sign of pregnancy and my period returned to normal.

hobo, if you're that worried about her being pregnant, why don't you just go to the doctor/school clinic/health department? It sounds like you need peace of mind more than anything at this point.

And, by the way, pregnant shows up pregnant no matter when you're taking the test. There are certian chemicals and hormones a woman's blood/urine contains when she is pregnant, and the chemicals are there throughout the pregnancy.

ok, i don't think she is pregnant, don't get me wrong. she's always been pretty irregular she tells me, and was diagnosed with a vaginal infection. haven't had sex (she's worried about some grinding, her pants off, mine on, didn't come), and already did a test a week ago that was negative (after she was late almost a month, most likely due to the infection and stress), but she's paranoid. she thinks that we didn't do it at the right time of her cycle, and i was wondering if that was true. but i guess not. it should be okay, if her infection ever clears up. she's done 2 trials of an antibiotic, but it hasn't solved it.

You're right, the brand shouldn't matter. They all work using the same principles. It's similar to generic drugs. Same thing, different cost.

The EPT worked for me - I have poly cystic ovarian syndrome and only have about 3 periods a year, so while I didn't miss anything, I still felt something was very off. Caught the kid about 3 months after conception date. (Age determined by an ultrasound done later, after getting a positive on the EPT)

wow, 3 months in and not knowing, that's a long time. hope you didn't do any heavy drinking during that time.