Is it possible to determine pregnancy at home?
There are times when it is not possible to purchase a pregnancy test. For example, a woman lives in a remote village or is on a business trip where there is no pharmacy. It also happens that pharmacy tests do not show results very early.
In this case, it is useful to know whether pregnancy can be determined at home and, if so, how to do it.
There are several ways to determine at home without a test whether conception has occurred. One of them is to conduct a pregnancy test with soda.
Contraindications
As a rule, any diagnostic test has its contraindications that limit its implementation, but this fact does not apply at all to the home method of determining pregnancy using ordinary baking soda. This is explained by the fact that testing in this way is carried out without any action on a potential pregnant woman, but only with the participation of her urine. In this case, sodium bicarbonate does not need to be consumed orally - in order to understand whether conception has occurred or not, it is enough to simply pour the powder into the collected urine, and then just observe the result.
Detecting pregnancy in this way is a very accessible and simple way to get an answer to an exciting question. Since baking soda is always on hand, testing can be done at any time of the day, without even leaving your own home. However, one should take into account the opposing opinions of women, as well as the fact that the connection between conception and an increase in pH levels in the urine has not yet been proven. Therefore, it is recommended to determine the onset of pregnancy exclusively with the help of special tests, which can be purchased at any pharmacy; home diagnostics using soda can only be carried out as a backup option or a game, the result of which should not be taken seriously and with complete confidence.
How does a soda pregnancy test work?
The essence of the test is the reaction to the combination of the urine of a presumably pregnant woman and ordinary baking soda. Urine contains many substances - the results of vital activity: water, various acids, salts, ammonia.
All these substances are chemical reagents, that is, they are capable of interacting with other compounds. Based on the results of the interaction, certain conclusions are drawn.
The urine of a pregnant woman changes its composition, the acidity level of the liquid (pH) increases, due to the composition of a special hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Under the influence of this substance, the kidneys cannot excrete ammonia in the same volume, and the urine becomes slightly alkaline.
It is the presence of alkalis that helps identify soda. Once in a weak alkaline environment, it precipitates, this indicates a positive result, that is, pregnancy. If the soda dissolves and forms foam and hisses, then the result is negative.
Truth or Myth
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, as well as sodium bicarbonate, is alkaline in nature, which reacts with acid when it enters human urine. Normally, the acidity of urine ranges from 4.5 to 8 units, with any decrease in the pH level characterizing the urine as acidic, and an increase as alkaline. In accordance with this division, a completely different reaction can be observed when mixing urine and sodium bicarbonate. So, in a more acidic environment, soda powder, as a rule, dissolves, forming foam, but in conditions of high alkaline content the substance precipitates.
It is believed that with the onset of pregnancy, the level of alkali in the urine increases significantly, so adding baking soda to it leads to the formation of a layer of powder at the bottom of the container - this fact, according to many women, is evidence of conception.
However, such changes in pH levels may be influenced by several other circumstances, including:
- a certain diet, which involves eating a large amount of vegetables, fruits and berries;
- pathological processes associated with the functioning of the kidneys and adrenal glands;
- urological infections;
- presence of blood in the urine;
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- alkalization of the body.
In the event that the above factors are absent, and soda still does not dissolve when it gets into the urine, but settles, we can assume that pregnancy has occurred, because this very circumstance marks the beginning of hormonal changes in the body, as well as many other related processes , which presumably influence the increase in alkaline content in the urine.
However, most doctors argue that pregnancy as such is not capable of having any effect on the pH level of urine, but infections that occur due to weakened immunity during conception may well increase the alkali. In this regard, many doctors express the opinion that determining pregnancy using soda is, by and large, a game, the results of which should not be trusted. However, on the Internet, more and more often you can find reviews testifying to the accuracy of this method, and this fact only completely confuses everyone who is trying to understand the issue of the reliability of such testing.
Is this test reliable?
The home method of diagnosing pregnancy has advantages:
- Availability of soda - every housewife has it in her kitchen.
- The product is cheap - a pack of soda costs much less than a pharmacy pregnancy test.
- The method is absolutely safe - even if the test is wrong, it will not harm your health.
- The method is simple - you can do it yourself within a few minutes.
The following points stand out from the shortcomings of the test:
- inaccuracy associated with the characteristics of the female body;
- scientific groundlessness - there is no explanation in science for the principles of operation of this method.
Often, expectant mothers test this method at home, already knowing about their situation. They are simply interested in how valid such a test is. And according to reviews from those who did the test, it only works in some cases.
The result directly depends on the woman’s health, the climate of the area in which she lives, and even on the food consumed the day before. The reaction from interaction with baking soda will depend on the state of the urine at the time of the procedure.
Top 5 accurate ways to determine early pregnancy
You can find out about pregnancy in different ways and even before the first day of delay.
First place - blood test for hCG
One of the most informative ways is to determine the level of hCG in the blood. This is a hormone that is secreted by the constituent part of the embryo immediately after attachment to the wall of the uterus. For the mother’s body, it is a marker that pregnancy has occurred and is developing, and mucous membrane rejection is not required. Already 6-8 days after conception, the level of hCG is registered in the blood.
Second place - urine test for hCG
A few days later than in the blood, hCG appears in the urine of a pregnant woman. A home test in the form of a strip begins to determine its content 14-16 days after ovulation. 3-4 days earlier, laboratory methods can detect the presence of the hormone in the urine and determine its level. Every day at the beginning of pregnancy it doubles. In non-pregnant healthy women, hCG is not recorded. But it is important to know that sometimes (rather rarely) this hormone appears in the urine and blood in the absence of pregnancy, if there are malignant tumors and other diseases.
Third place – medical examination
An experienced gynecologist, during an examination in a chair, can indicate the gestational age, starting from 5 weeks, based on the size of the uterus and tissue density, the position of individual parts of the organ. The appearance of the genital organs is also a diagnostic sign: they become filled with blood, therefore slightly swollen in appearance and cyanotic.
Fourth place – ultrasound
A sensitive ultrasound diagnostic device will “see” the pregnancy at the beginning of the 3rd week from conception. But this is an optimistic forecast. Most often, doctors call the range of dates when the fertilized egg is first visible to the equipment: from 3 to 5 weeks. It depends on how long it took for it to descend from the tube into the uterus, migrate through the organ and attach to the wall.
Fifth place – according to subjective feelings
Without a test (pharmacy, laboratory, folk), you can find out about pregnancy, firstly, by a delay in menstruation. And secondly, from subjective feelings:
- swollen breasts;
- desire to sleep longer than usual;
- urge to go to the toilet;
- morning sickness;
- increased appetite, etc.
All these methods and signs have been researched and successfully applied. The method of determining pregnancy with soda remains a folk sign that arose when hardware and laboratory methods were not as developed as they are now.
What affects the test result
It has already been said that the essence of the test is the interaction of soda and urine, or rather its components. The urine of a healthy person and that of an expectant mother differ significantly from each other. It is not for nothing that the first test prescribed to an expectant mother is a general urine test. It is carried out primarily to confirm the fact of pregnancy and is based on determining the level of hCG.
The acid-base balance of urine depends not only on the interesting position of the woman, but also on many other factors that have nothing to do with bearing a child.
The composition of urine and the pH level are affected by:
- Excessive consumption of plant foods, especially sour ones (currants, lemons, cranberries, blueberries).
- Passion for foods high in protein.
- Drinking alcohol the day before.
- Climatic conditions.
- Kidney failure.
- Stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea.
- Infections of the genitourinary system.
- Tuberculosis.
- Diabetes.
- Gynecological diseases.
- Taking medications.
- Reduced immunity as a result of colds.
- Following various diets.
- Poor quality soda.
Women can also make mistakes when menopause occurs. After all, this condition is associated with menstrual irregularities, which are mistakenly taken for pregnancy.
Testing related errors
Why might there be errors? This may be due to changes in the composition of urine during pregnancy. Urine may be alkaline as a result of the following:
- dietary habits, in particular, high consumption of fruits and vegetables. This is especially true for vegetarians;
- vomiting or diarrhea, which leads to dehydration;
- infectious processes of the urinary system;
- alkaline therapy;
- diseases leading to hematuria;
- disturbances in the functioning of the adrenal cortex;
- renal failure, etc.
Urine may be more acidic due to the following reasons:
- predominance of protein foods in the diet;
- starvation;
- fever;
- excessive consumption of cranberries;
- diabetes;
- acidosis;
- lack of potassium in the body;
- regular vigorous exercise;
- frequent consumption of acidic foods or citrus fruits;
- cold with high fever;
- kidney tuberculosis;
- exhaustion of the body.
Due to these reasons, soda may begin to bubble and hiss even in the absence of pregnancy. The presence of certain pathologies can give such false results.
Method of implementation
In order for a pregnancy test with soda to show a true result, you need to carry out the procedure correctly.
The steps are quite simple:
- in the morning before the procedure, you need to thoroughly wash your genitals and wipe them dry;
- prepare a plastic container for collecting urine; the container must be sterile and dry;
- spreading the labia with clean hands, collect an average portion of the first morning urine in an approximate volume of 100 ml into a container;
- put a teaspoon of soda into the fresh liquid, do not stir;
- expect results.
The main condition for obtaining reliable information is that you need to collect urine early in the morning on an empty stomach. In the daytime or evening, the acidity of urine may increase due to food taken during the day.
In addition, before performing the analysis, you must follow the following recommendations:
- The day before, do not eat too sweet, spicy, salty, sour foods, smoked foods and fatty foods are also prohibited.
- You cannot drink alcoholic drinks or carbonated drinks.
- The day before the test, limit yourself to physical activity.
Testing related errors
Why might there be errors? This may be due to changes in the composition of urine during pregnancy. Urine may be alkaline as a result of the following:
- dietary habits, in particular, high consumption of fruits and vegetables. This is especially true for vegetarians;
- vomiting or diarrhea, which leads to dehydration;
- infectious processes of the urinary system;
- alkaline therapy;
- diseases leading to hematuria;
- disturbances in the functioning of the adrenal cortex;
- renal failure, etc.
Urine may be more acidic due to the following reasons:
- predominance of protein foods in the diet;
- starvation;
- fever;
- excessive consumption of cranberries;
- diabetes;
- acidosis;
- lack of potassium in the body;
- regular vigorous exercise;
- frequent consumption of acidic foods or citrus fruits;
- cold with high fever;
- kidney tuberculosis;
- exhaustion of the body.
Due to these reasons, soda may begin to bubble and hiss even in the absence of pregnancy. The presence of certain pathologies can give such false results.
Possible causes of the error
The reasons that can increase the urine pH level and at the same time give a false result are varied. But even if the information about the supposed conception through the test was incorrect, there is reason to think about the state of health.
For example, if the procedure was carried out due to a delay in menstruation, and a few days later they came, then the problem is different. A high urine pH level indicates certain disorders in the body, which a woman may not be aware of.
The folk method with soda sometimes indicates genitourinary infections, which are dangerous for pregnant women with the risk of placental pathologies and complications during childbirth.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The main advantages of soda testing are its low cost and availability. Every woman has baking soda in her house, so there is no need to leave the house to buy “equipment” for the procedure.
If we talk about the negative aspects, then official medicine has not recognized the effectiveness of soda testing. There are often cases when women receive a false result. Some obstetricians and gynecologists regard the use of soda in this case as a playful method, but not as a serious study.
Feedback from women is divided: some do not trust classical tests, but resort to folk recipes, while others flatly refuse to use “antediluvian” tests, in their opinion. The choice is yours!
So, can soda testing be trusted? It's up to each of us to decide. Many people treat it as a joke game. It is worth understanding that various chemical reactions can occur in our body, affecting the composition of urine, so a change in acidity in a woman may not always indicate a connection with pregnancy. Each of us can check the authenticity of this technique on ourselves, but it is better to contact a qualified specialist after this. An examination by a gynecologist and an ultrasound examination will help to accurately confirm or refute assumptions about pregnancy. When it comes to your health, it is better to trust professionals rather than people's reviews, which can often be wrong.
Doctors' opinion
The point of view of the official medical world regarding whether this folk method is true or not is ambiguous. On the one hand, the authenticity of this kind of diagnosis is not recognized by doctors, but on the other hand, it is not rejected.
After all, it is impossible to say that there are any confirmed scientific facts about this. There are also many cases where conception was confirmed by soda, and not by a pharmacy test. According to doctors, testing with soda is not harmful, but only a gynecologist can give an official opinion.
However, the modern pregnancy test was invented after centuries of research into changes in the body of pregnant women. This means that folk methods of how to find out if a woman is pregnant existed in ancient times. People used onions, beer, iodine, wine and even iron objects.
In the video “How Pregnancy Was Determined in the Past” you will see how many unusual and interesting procedures were performed by women in the old days. And as studies and records of healers that have come down to us show, most of these methods were close to the truth.
And with the help of soda and urine, they determined not only the presence of pregnancy, but also the gender of the unborn child. If during the procedure the substance begins to hiss, it means there will be a girl, if it precipitates, it will be a boy.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The main advantages of soda testing are its low cost and availability. Every woman has baking soda in her house, so there is no need to leave the house to buy “equipment” for the procedure.
If we talk about the negative aspects, then official medicine has not recognized the effectiveness of soda testing. There are often cases when women receive a false result. Some obstetricians and gynecologists regard the use of soda in this case as a playful method, but not as a serious study.
Feedback from women is divided: some do not trust classical tests, but resort to folk recipes, while others flatly refuse to use “antediluvian” tests, in their opinion. The choice is yours!
So, can soda testing be trusted? It's up to each of us to decide. Many people treat it as a joke game. It is worth understanding that various chemical reactions can occur in our body, affecting the composition of urine, so a change in acidity in a woman may not always indicate a connection with pregnancy. Each of us can check the authenticity of this technique on ourselves, but it is better to contact a qualified specialist after this. An examination by a gynecologist and an ultrasound examination will help to accurately confirm or refute assumptions about pregnancy. When it comes to your health, it is better to trust professionals rather than people's reviews, which can often be wrong.
