Inkjet Pregnancy Test - Instructions

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Inkjet pregnancy test

Every woman wants to find out as early as possible whether conception has occurred. The level of development of modern medicine makes it possible to do this without going to the doctor, using a jet test. This device allows you to detect early pregnancy and do it at home.

The inkjet test is a form of rapid pregnancy diagnostic system that is more advanced than conventional strip tests. The main difference between an inkjet device is that it can be used almost anywhere, anytime.

Content:

• How pregnancy inkjet tests work
• Types of inkjet tests
• Benefits
• disadvantages
• How to use the inkjet test correctly?
• Can an inkjet pregnancy test give a false result?

How pregnancy inkjet tests work

Inside the device itself there is a built-in rod, which consists of microfibers. There are small tubules between these fibers, it is through them that urine will rise. When it reaches the part of the instrument where the reagent is located, the stripes are colored. If a woman has a hormone in her urine called chorionic gonadotropin, it will attach to the latex parts inside the dough. The staining of the desired strip will occur if the level of the hormone in the urine exceeds the 10-25 mIU / ml mark.

It is known that the level of the hCG hormone in a non-pregnant woman is 5 mIU / ml. After the fertilized egg is attached to the wall of the uterus, the body begins to produce this hormone in large quantities. Already 4 days after the implantation of the embryo into the uterus, the hormone level rises to 10 mIU / ml, and after 14 days it reaches 25 mIU / ml. It is the latter indicator that is the lower threshold of sensitivity for most inkjet tests. However, some manufacturers claim that their systems are capable of detecting the hormone in urine, even if its values are around 10 mIU / ml.

Types of inkjet tests

The most common inkjet tests are single-use express strips, which have a sensitivity of 10 mIU / ml or more. There are also devices on sale that can be used several times. For this they are equipped with removable cassettes.

In addition, inkjet digital tests can be found. Instead of a strip with a developing indicator, the device has an electronic display. There can be two or one such windows. The final result is indicated in the first window: the inscription "pregnant" or "not pregnant" appears, and the second board is a control one. It is needed in order to make sure that the procedure is carried out correctly.

Some inkjet digital tests are additionally equipped with a USB port. If the test is connected to a computer, you can read not only the result, but also see the estimated date of birth. Also, the program automatically determines the gestational age. The most popular brands of inkjet tests are: Evitest, Duet, Home Test, Clearblue, etc.

Benefits

Inkjet tests are among the most highly accurate instruments. They are guaranteed to give reliable results. The error (subject to all operating conditions) is no more than 1-2%.

For many women, it is very important that you can know the result in advance, without waiting for the first expected day of menstruation. To get this opportunity, it is necessary to choose inkjet tests with increased sensitivity - 10 mIU / ml.

Another advantage of jet tests lies in their name, that is, to perform the test, you just need to put it under the stream of urine. This allows diagnostics to be performed virtually anywhere, anytime.

disadvantages

As for the disadvantages of jet tests, there is only one - this is the high price of the device. It may increase depending on the complexity of the device. Accordingly, the most expensive are inkjet tests with an electronic scoreboard and a USB port. Conventional inkjet test strips remain the cheapest.

How to use the inkjet test correctly?

The operating rules for jet tests are practically the same for all similar devices. Minor discrepancies in the interpretation of the results are possible, which will be indicated in the instructions for use. It can be found inside each package containing the device.

It is very easy to use inkjet tests, for this you need to follow these steps:

• It is necessary to open the package, take out the device and remove the protection from the tip, if any.
• The test is taken in the hand and brought under the stream of urine, tip down.
• The liquid must definitely get on the tip. Most often after that, it changes color.
• It takes about 5-10 seconds to keep the tip under the stream of urine. The exact time will be indicated in the instructions for use.
• Then the test is spread on a dry flat surface with the window up.
• After 3-5 minutes, evaluate the result.

Typically, one bar indicates that there is no pregnancy, and two bars indicate that the woman is pregnant. Sometimes a second stripe appears, but its color is very weak. Most often this means that pregnancy has nevertheless come, however, it is better to repeat the test after a few days. This will ensure a positive result.

When the test is equipped with a digital display, the screen may display “pregnant” or “not pregnant”, or “+” or “-” signs.

It also happens that the test does not show any values. In this case, either the device was faulty, or the procedure itself was carried out with violations, for example, there was insufficient urine on the tip.

Can an inkjet pregnancy test give a false result?

Provided that the device is used correctly, the probability of obtaining an unreliable result is minimized.

The reasons why the data may be distorted are as follows:

• The woman performed the test too early, and the concentration of hCG in the urine has not yet reached the desired level.
• Ovulation did not occur in the middle of the cycle, but a little later.
• The test was overdue. Therefore, before buying, be sure to check the release date of the test and its expiration date.
• Testing was not done in the morning. The fact is that the maximum concentration of the hormone in the urine is observed precisely in the morning hours, immediately after waking up. During the day, a woman can drink plenty of fluids or take diuretics. All this contributes to the dilution of urine and can adversely affect the reliability of the result.

Sometimes the test shows not only a false negative, but also a false positive result, this happens in the following situations:

• A woman is being treated for infertility. Often hormones are part of the drugs, including hCG.
• The woman develops a hormone-producing tumor.
• The woman recently miscarried or had an abortion.
• The woman had an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, pains in the lower abdomen of a aching nature often appear, and discharge with an admixture of blood is also disturbing.

When the test is negative but menstruation does not start, retesting should be done a few days later. If it again indicates the absence of pregnancy, then it is imperative to consult a doctor, but if a positive result is obtained, consultation with a gynecologist is also necessary.

The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.