How to use a pregnancy test and read one or two lines
How to use strip, midstream and cassette pregnancy tests: the steps, reading time, and what one line, two lines or a faint line means.
· 3 min read · dauhieumangthai.com
Home pregnancy tests are cheap, easy to find and fairly accurate when used correctly. Most wrong results come from testing too early or a mistake in the steps. This guide explains how to use a pregnancy test step by step for the three common types, and how to read the result without guessing.
Three common types of test
| Type | How you use it | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Dip strip | Collect urine in a clean cup and dip the strip | Cheapest, often sold in multipacks |
| Midstream | Hold in your urine stream, or dip in a cup | Easy grip, larger result window |
| Cassette | Drop a few drops of urine into the well with the pipette | Hard to over-dip |
All of them detect hCG. Check the sensitivity and reading time on your box, because they vary by brand.
How to use a dip-strip pregnancy test
- Wash your hands, check the expiry date and that the pouch is sealed.
- Collect urine in a clean, dry cup.
- Open the pouch, hold the handle end and dip the strip in the direction of the arrows. Do not dip past the MAX line.
- Hold it in for the time stated on the box (often around five to ten seconds), then lay it flat on a clean surface.
- Read the result within the stated window, usually three to five minutes. Do not re-read it later.
Midstream and cassette tests
For a midstream test, remove the cap, point the absorbent tip down into your urine stream for the time stated, replace the cap and lay it flat. For a cassette, use the pipette to add the stated number of drops to the sample well. Reading times still follow the leaflet.
Reading the result: one line, two lines, a faint line
- One line in the control zone (C) only: negative. If your period still does not come, test again in a few days.
- Two lines, with a clear line in the test zone (T): positive. The NHS says a positive is almost certainly right if you followed the instructions.
- A faint but coloured T line within the reading time: possibly an early positive. Retest in two to three days; the line usually darkens if you are pregnant.
- No C line, or only a T line: the test is invalid. Use a new test.
- A colourless streak that appears after the reading time: usually an evaporation line, not a positive.
Tips for a more reliable result
- Test from the first day of a missed period, or at least 21 days after unprotected sex if you are unsure of your cycle. See when to take a pregnancy test.
- When testing early, use first-morning urine and avoid drinking a lot beforehand.
- Store tests somewhere cool and dry, and do not open the pouch until you are ready.
- If you take medicines, especially fertility treatments, ask a doctor or pharmacist, as some can affect results.
- Buy a multipack so you can retest in two to three days if the result is unclear.
After a positive test
A test only tells you hCG is present. It cannot show whether the pregnancy is in the womb, so book an appointment for your doctor to confirm with an ultrasound and tests. WHO recommends a first antenatal visit within the first 12 weeks. Go straight away rather than waiting if you have heavy bleeding, severe tummy pain, pain low down on one side, dizziness or fainting.
To see how many weeks you are, try our due date calculator. If you need tests, browse pregnancy tests ranked by real sales and reviews.
For general information; always follow the leaflet in your test and your doctor's advice.
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