Home pregnancy tests have been performed since ancient times, however, they are not scientifically proven, that is, they are not reliable. With everyday ingredients, it is possible to carry out various experiments. How about testing and comparing the results? At the end of the article, the gynecologist from Dicas de Mulher talks about the effective methods. Follow!
Most Common Home Pregnancy Tests
Home pregnancy tests are popular beliefs passed down from generation to generation. You can do the experiments, as they do not pose risks to the woman’s health, on the other hand, they do not prove pregnancy. So, don’t take the results seriously. Below, learn about the most famous tests on the internet:
Saliva test
How to do it: The woman will need a microscope, which can be a toy. Put some saliva on the blade and let it dry completely. When looking at the contents under the microscope, if the saliva forms crystals that resemble fern leaves, it indicates that the woman is in the fertile period and, consequently, is not pregnant.
How it works: During the period of ovulation, levels of the hormone estrogen increase, altering the appearance of saliva. However, the method is not reliable, considering that this increase also occurs in other situations, such as obesity, ovarian tumor, or superfetation.
Salt test
How to do it: It consists of placing the urine in a transparent container, adding a few tablespoons of table salt and stirring until completely dissolved. After a few hours, if the mixture looks milky, the pregnancy test is supposed to be positive.
How it works: The contact of the hormone beta HCG with salt, in case of pregnancy, results in the milky appearance of the mixture. This hormone begins to be produced from fertilization. However, there is no scientific basis to prove the effectiveness of the test.
Bleach test
How to do it: Mix some urine with a few tablespoons of bleach. According to popular beliefs, if the mixture changes color or foams, the result is supposed to be positive.
How it works: As with the salt test, contact between the hormone beta HCG and bleach is believed to cause foam to form indicating pregnancy. In the case of bleach, the reaction happens due to the chemical element chlorine in the product.
Urine boil test
How to do it: it is necessary to boil the urine in an aluminum container, if the contents form a kind of cream, as with milk, the result indicates positive.
How it works: It is believed that when urine is boiled, cream is formed due to the increase in the protein of the hormone beta HCG present in the body of pregnant women. However, there are other situations that increase protein in the urine, such as kidney disease and urinary tract infection.
Needle Test
How to do it: The woman puts a needle in a container with urine, closes it and waits eight hours. If after this period the needle changes color, the result is supposedly positive.
How it works: Theoretically, the metal becomes oxidized when it comes into contact with the pregnant woman’s urine. However, for the metal to deteriorate and change color, it takes a long period, that is, it does not occur in a few hours as the test indicates.
Chlorine Test
How to do it: The woman mixes a little chlorine with her urine. If the solution becomes dark or foamy, the result is considered positive. If the appearance and color of the urine does not change, the result will be negative.
How it works: Just like the bleach test, the natural substances in the urine react with chlorine, modifying the color and producing foam. Therefore, it is an alteration that even occurs with men’s urine.
Vinegar Test
How to do it: You need to mix the urine with a little vinegar in a transparent container. If the mixture foams or changes color, the test is considered positive.
How it works: Urine and vinegar are slightly acidic substances, and when they mix, they cause a change in color. However, this change occurs because vinegar has a different color than urine.
Lemon test
How to do it: Put a quantity of urine in a glass cup and drip a few drops of lemon juice. If the solution turns pink, it is said to be indicative of pregnancy.
How it works: Theoretically, the change in color happens due to the contact of the acidity of the lemon with the urine of the pregnant woman. However, there is no reliability in the test, since this alteration can be triggered by other substances present in the urine.
Sugar test
How to do it: Drip a few drops of urine into a container containing two tablespoons of sugar. According to the test, if the sugar becomes compact and does not dissolve, the result indicates positive.
How it works: Supposedly, the hormone beta HCG present in the urine of pregnant women keeps the sugar consistent, however, this is another popular theory.
