*Disclaimer: Since I am discussing a home pregnancy test, some of the words below may be a little graphic. If you don't want to read about it, remember...you were warned*

When a woman thinks she is pregnant, there are many options available in order to determine whether a new addition to the family is on the way or not. She can, of course, wait for some of the symptoms (missing a period, morning sickness, and of course "showing"), go to the doctor for a blood or urine test, or she can use the do-it-yourself variety. Of course I mean the home pregnancy test.

There are many varieties of the home test, ranging from the inexpensive to the break your wallet. The one I chose was a little expensive, but didn't rip into my life savings. When perusing through the shelf of home pregnancy tests at the store, EPT just happened to stick out at me. It looked easy to use, quick, and there were two of them in the box!

The EPT home pregnancy test consists of a white plastic test stick with a purple cover on one end. The other end has ridges for you to easily hold on to. If you remove the purple cover, you'll find the test area. You won't want to touch this until you are ready to test. The white stick also has a window where the test results can be seen. There is a circle and a square right next to each other.

In order to use the EPT home pregnancy test, you must first have to go to the bathroom. Some people suggest that first morning urine is the best for testing. I tested once in mid-afternoon and once at night, and both seemed accurate, but that's up to you.

There are two ways you can do the test. You can either "pee" directly on the test area, or you can collect a urine specimine in a cup, then dip the stick in there. Either way works, and I have tried both. I prefer the cup method, and have heard that it is more accurate. You are only supposed to let the urine hit the test area for about 5 seconds, and you want it to be a steady 5 seconds.

After collecting your sample and dipping the stick in it, you want to lay the EPT test on a flat surface. The test may take up to three minutes, and you will not want to move it before that time. You will slowly see the test window area start to change. The idea is that one line means you are not pregnant, and two lines mean you are. The line in the square will always show up. The line in the circle is the one you are hoping for (that is...if you want to be pregnant) The lines do not have to be the same color, but they will both be some shade of pink. In my experiences, the line in the circle started out extremely faint, so you really have to look for it...but it did darken up as time passed. When I wasn't pregnant, there was no hint of pink in the circle.

The idea is that the test looks for elevated levels of hCG in your urine, which are released only when you are pregnant. Ideally you will want to take the test after you have missed your period. The instructions do say that you can take it as soon as you are one day late. I did, and it came out positive.

Home pregnancy tests these days are remarkably accurate. You have a better accuracy rate if you get a positive test though, as those are almost never wrong. If you do test negative, but still feel you are pregnant and have not started your period, you should see your doctor, as something else could be wrong.

For an easy, and accurate test, I highly recommend the EPT home pregnancy test. It may be a little expensive at $15, but you do get two in each box. The instructions are simple, and as long as you follow them exactly, you should have no problems.

For anyone reading this who is hoping they are pregnant...good luck! I know I was super excited when the EPT test because my Extra Precious Test!



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