15+ Simple & Reliable Homemade (DIY) Pregnancy Tests

The journey of parenthood is a profound and life-altering experience, one that often begins with the anticipation of a new life. As couples or individuals embark on this transformative path, the need for accurate and accessible methods of confirming pregnancy becomes crucial.

Before modern pregnancy test kits were invented, women would use homemade pregnancy tests. A lot of these natural pregnancy tests are useful and can be easily done with kitchen ingredients. While commercial pregnancy tests are readily available today, there’s a growing interest in exploring alternative options that are not only cost-effective but also rely on everyday household items. Read on to learn the various home remedies for pregnancy tests.

Benefits of Natural Pregnancy Tests

There are some obvious and some not-so-obvious benefits of a natural pregnancy test. Here are some of them:

• A natural pregnancy test is useful in case of an unplanned pregnancy.
• You don’t need to buy a pregnancy test kit. So, you can keep your pregnancy a secret.
• These tests can be done using the ingredients available at home.
• They are cheaper as compared to kits.
• You do not need to worry about the expiry date of the test.

How to Check Pregnancy at Home?

A visit to a gynaecologist is the most reliable way of checking for pregnancy. You can also use a DIY pregnancy test, though it’s not very reliable.

Most DIY pregnancy tests analyse the urine, so make sure you collect the urine as soon as you wake up in the morning. Drink plenty of water and wait till your bladder feels full before collecting.

Note that the sample should be sufficient to perform the test a second time.

16 Pregnancy Tests You Can Perform at Home

Here are 16 DIY natural pregnancy tests.

1. Sugar Pregnancy Test

Sugar has been used to check for pregnancy since time immemorial. It’s the most common natural pregnancy test among women.

What You Need:

• A clean bowl
• Sugar
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Add one tablespoon of sugar to a bowl and pour the collected urine sample on it. Now, wait and watch.

Positive Sign:

The urine of a pregnant woman contains the hormone hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone prevents sugar from dissolving. If the sugar doesn’t readily dissolve and forms clumps instead, it is a clear sign of pregnancy.

Negative Sign:

If the sugar readily dissolves in the urine, it means that the urine does not contain hCG. You aren’t pregnant.

Caution:

This test is relatively harmless, and no special safety measures need to be followed.

2. Toothpaste Pregnancy Test

For a toothpaste pregnancy test, only white toothpaste should be used.

What You Need:

• A clean bowl
• Toothpaste – 2 tbsp
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Take two tablespoons of toothpaste in a bowl, and add a tablespoon of the collected urine sample. Wait and observe.

Positive Sign:

In the case of pregnancy, the toothpaste will react with the urine to become blue in colour. It may also turn frothy.

Negative Sign:

In the case of a negative result, the toothpaste will not react with the urine at all.

Caution:

While this test is useful and can be easily done at home, it has certain drawbacks. One, there are no prescribed guidelines on how much urine needs to be added to the toothpaste. Secondly, the time it takes for the reaction to happen can vary from woman to woman.

3. Soap Pregnancy Test

This test can be easily done at home. Almost any soap can be used regardless of the brand, colour or addition of fragrance.

What You Need:

• A clean bowl
• A bar of soap
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Place the soap in a bowl, and pour two tablespoons of urine on the soap.

Positive Sign:

If the soap froths and bubbles appear, then it’s likely that you are pregnant.

Negative Sign:

If you aren’t pregnant, there won’t be a reaction between the soap and the urine sample.

Caution:

None

4. Mustard Powder Pregnancy Test

If you’ve missed your periods and suspect that you’re expecting, consider the mustard powder test for pregnancy.

What You Need:

• Warm water in a bath tub
• Mustard powder – 1/2 – 3/4 cup

Method:

Add mustard powder to the water in the bathtub, and immerse yourself in it for twenty-five minutes. Wait for two to three days.

Positive Sign:

Since mustard induces a period, you should get your periods in two to three days. If the periods don’t kick in, then it’s likely that you’re pregnant.

Negative Sign:

The onset of periods within three days of this test would indicate that your periods were delayed for reasons other than pregnancy.

Caution:

None

5. Shampoo Pregnancy Test

This test is as convenient as the toothpaste and soap pregnancy tests. The results can be observed instantly.

What You Need:

• A clean bowl
• Two drops of shampoo
• Water
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Put two drops of shampoo in a clean bowl, add some water to form a soapy solution, and whisk gently. Now add a few drops of the collected urine and observe.

Positive Sign:

If the shampoo solution froths or forms bubbles, it’s a sign of pregnancy.

Negative Sign:

If there’s no reaction, you can safely assume that you are not pregnant.

Caution:

Mixing shampoo and water to form a soapy solution without frothing is tricky as the presence of froth can interfere with the results.

6. Dettol Pregnancy Test

Dettol is a commercially available mild antiseptic for treating minor cuts and bruises at home. This product may also be used to conduct a natural pregnancy test. Here’s how.

What You Need:

• A clean glass
• Dettol – 1 tbsp
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Pour one tablespoon of Dettol into a glass, and add 3 tablespoons of urine such that Dettol and urine are in the ratio of 1:3. Sit back and observe for five to seven minutes.

Positive Sign:

If the urine forms a separate layer on top, it means you are pregnant.

Negative Sign:

If the solution mixes, then the result is negative.

Caution:

None

7. Salt Pregnancy Test

Table salt can also be used to check for pregnancy. It’s one of the cheapest and most reliable tests.

What You Need:

•  A clean glass
•  A pinch or two of salt
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Pour some urine sample into a glass, add a pinch or two of salt, and observe for at least three minutes.

Positive Sign:

If you’re carrying a baby, creamy white clumps will form.

Negative Sign:

If there’s no reaction, the result is negative.

Caution:

None

8. Vinegar Pregnancy Test

Vinegar can also be used to test for pregnancy. You can use plain white vinegar which is low priced and readily available in grocery stores.

What You Need:

• A clean glass
• White vinegar
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Pour some vinegar into a glass and add the urine sample to it. Let the solution sit for 5 minutes and observe the results.

Positive Sign:

Any change in the colour of vinegar is an indication of pregnancy.

Negative Sign:

If there is no visible change in the colour, it means there’s no pregnancy.

Caution:

Add the urine sample slowly to the vinegar to avoid frothing. Bubbles and frothing would affect the accuracy of the test.

9. Pine-Sol Pregnancy Test

Pine-sol is a common household antimicrobial agent. It’s made from needle-like leaves and other parts of the pine tree. A pine-sol pregnancy test is considered accurate.

What You Need:

• A clean glass
• Pine-sol
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Pour some pine-sol into a glass, add the urine sample and observe.

Positive Sign:

In the case of pregnancy, the pine-sol will change to a bluish-green colour.

Negative Sign:

No change in the colour means that you aren’t pregnant.

Caution:

For this test, unscented, regular golden-brown pine-sol should be used.

10. Wheat & Barley Pregnancy Test

An ancient recipe holds that wheat and barley seeds germinate three times faster in a pregnant woman’s urine than water. This test is based on the above theory.

What You Need:

•  A bowl
• Wheat and barley seeds
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Put some wheat and barley seeds in a bowl, add the urine sample and wait for a couple of days.

Positive Sign:

If the seeds germinate in a couple of days, you could be pregnant.

Negative Sign:

No germination of seeds means no pregnancy.

Caution:

None

11. Bleaching Powder Pregnancy Test

Bleaching powder is also an effective substance to check for pregnancy. The advantage of this test is that the results can be observed quickly.

What You Need:

• A clean glass
• Bleaching powder
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Add bleaching powder to a glass, pour the urine sample into it and observe.

Positive Sign:

If there is a fizzing sound, lots of bubbles and frothing, it’s an indication of pregnancy.

Negative Sign:

If the solution settles down with no bubbles, then there is no pregnancy.

Caution:

Fumes produced by the reaction of urine and bleaching powder are toxic, so avoid inhalation.

12. Baking Soda Pregnancy Test

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is an ingredient that can also be used to test pregnancy at home.

What You Need:

• A clean bowl
• Baking soda
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Put some baking soda in a bowl, pour the urine sample over it and observe.

Positive Sign:

If there’s a reaction with bubbles and fizz, then you’re pregnant.

Negative Sign:

If there are no bubbles, then there is no pregnancy.

Caution:

This test is relatively safe and the reaction of baking soda with urine will not produce any fumes or harmful gases.

13. Storing Urine Pregnancy Test

The urine in a jar test has been used for centuries. You can predict whether you’re pregnant by just storing and observing your urine.

What You Need:

• A clean glass jar
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Collect a sample of urine in a glass jar and let it stand for a day.

Positive Sign:

If you observe a thin film or layer on the surface after twenty-four hours, then there is a strong likelihood of pregnancy.

Negative Sign:

If there is no such layer, then you’re not pregnant.

Caution:

None

14. Tuna Juice & Vinegar Pregnancy Test

Considered to be one of the most accurate do-it-yourself tests at home, the tuna and vinegar pregnancy test has the highest probability of yielding accurate results.

What You Need:

• A clean glass jar
• White vinegar
• Canned tuna
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Strain some juice out of the canned tuna into a glass jar, and add an equal amount of white vinegar. Mix and let it sit for a day at room temperature. On the next day, add the urine sample to it.

Positive Sign:

If the mix turns dark green, it indicates that you are pregnant.

Negative Sign:

Yellow colour indicates that you’re not pregnant.

Caution:

None

15. Wine Pregnancy Test

Did you know that you can also use wine to test for conception?

What You Need:

• Wine
• A sample of urine collected as soon as you wake up in the morning

Method:

Take half a cup each of wine and urine, and mix them. Wait and observe.

Positive Sign:

If the colour of the wine changes, it is a sign of pregnancy.

Negative Sign:

If there’s no change in colour, you may not be carrying a baby.

Caution:

None

16. Dandelion Leaves Pregnancy Test

This is one of the homemade pregnancy test that actually works.

What You Need:

• Dandelion leaves
• A plastic sheet
• Urine sample collected early in the morning

Method:

Take a sheet and place a few dandelion leaves on it. Make sure that it is not directly under the sunlight. Pour your urine sample over the leaves and wait for 10 minutes.

Positive Sign:

If the leaves turn reddish-brown or bubble formates, assume you are pregnant.

Negative Sign:

If there are no changes in the leaves, then you are not pregnant yet.

Caution:

None

Tips to Increase the Accuracy of Homemade Pregnancy Tests

In general, DIY pregnancy tests are a good way to determine the presence of hCG in the urine. To enhance the accuracy of the tests, do these things.

•  Keep all the bowls, jars, cups and other utensils that you use for these tests clean and free from germs.

• The sample of urine should be taken when you first visit the restroom in the morning. That’s because this urine sample has a greater concentration of the hCG, which is crucial for accuracy.

• Ideally, the test should be done in the morning, as soon as you wake up.

• Drink enough water the previous night to ensure that you have sufficient urine to conduct multiple tests, if necessary.

• Some tests may take longer to show a reaction.
• Use a plastic container and spatula to maintain hygiene during the test. Avoid metal containers as they may interact with chemical ingredients and reduce the accuracy of the result. Use disposable containers for the bleach and pine sol tests.
• Don’t shake or disturb the sample while waitiing for a reaction.

Are These Tests 100% Accurate?

The simple answer is no! DIY pregnancy tests are never 100% accurate. Though these tests are similar to pregnancy test kits, the results could be inaccurate for various reasons.

There are no clear guidelines about the tests. Some tests don’t mention the ratio in which the ingredients should be added. Furthermore, the quantity and quality of ingredients could delay the time taken for a reaction.

DIY pregnancy tests should always be followed by a visit to the doctor, regardless of the results.

When Should You Take a Homemade Pregnancy Test?

If you’re wondering when you should take a DIY pregnancy test, we have the answer! As missed periods are a reliable sign of conception, you can use these tests a day or two after your missed period date. Some signs you can also look out for before taking the test are nausea, vomiting, tender and sore breasts, frequent urination, fatigue and bloating.

FAQs

1. Which Homemade Pregnancy Test Is More Reliable?

The wine pregnancy test is one of the most accurate homemade pregnancy tests.

2. Can You Perform a Home Pregnancy Test at Night?

Yes, DIY pregnancy tests can be done anytime at home. But it is recommended to do the test early morning urine to increase the accuracy of results.

3. Can a Home Pregnancy Test Detect One Week Pregnancy?

Home pregnancy test DIY may not be able to detect one-week pregnancy since the placenta begins to make the hCG hormones ten days post fertilization.

These tests are very useful if you want to keep your pregnancy a secret. The ease of conducting these tests and the ready availability of ingredients makes them very convenient for women who wish to know whether there’s good news.

References/Resources:

1. Signs of Pregnancy/The Pregnancy Test; stanfordchildrens.org; https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=signs-of-pregnancythe-pregnancy-test-85-P01236

2. Pregnancy Tests; my.clevelandclinic.org; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9703-pregnancy-tests

3. Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?; mayoclinic.org; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940

4. C. Gnoth, S. Johnson; Strips of Hope: Accuracy of Home Pregnancy Tests and New Developments; National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4119102/; July 2014

5. 17 Homemade (DIY) Pregnancy Tests To Try; hmhb.org; https://www.hmhb.org/homemade-diy-pregnancy-tests/

Also Read:

When to Take a Pregnancy Test?
How to Confirm Pregnancy at Home
Digital Pregnancy Test: How it Works?
Easy Ways to Confirm Pregnancy Without Doing a Test