Midstream pregnancy test kit

The term "midstream" is sometimes confusing to people - it does not refer to when you can test for your pregnancy status, but rather how.

With other tests for pregnancy, like our own normal pregnancy test cassettes, you need to collect a sample of urine and then use the testing device in the sample.

on this page

• Kit size and contents
• Storage of the midstream pregnancy tests
• Clinical interpretation of pregnancy test
• Notes and limitations of a home pregnancy test
• Performance sensitivity characteristics
• Accuracy of a home pregnancy test
• Specimen
• Pregnancy testing procedure
• Interpretation of pregnancy test results
• Negative
• Positive
• Inconclusive
• Things to keep in mind when doing a pregnancy test

Kit size and contents

2 x Test devices individually packed in a foil wrapper.

Storage of the midstream pregnancy tests

Stored at room temperature the test is stable until the expiry date printed on the wrapper.

The test should be kept from direct sunlight, moisture and heat.

Do not freeze the test kit.

Clinical interpretation of pregnancy test

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the developing placenta shortly after implantation.

From the onset of pregnancy hCG concentrations in a woman's serum and urine increase rapidly making the hormone a good marker for pregnancy testing.

Seven to ten days after conception the hCG concentration reaches 5 - 50 mIU/ml, at the time of the first missed menstrual period reaches about 100 ml U/ml and then increases steadily to peak at 100,000 - 200,000 mIU/ml at the end of the first trimester.

Notes and limitations of a home pregnancy test

hCG levels vary from person to person during early pregnancy and a low concentration of hCG can give a negative result.

In this case another test should be done 48 hours later.

A high percentage of pregnancies micro-abort, it should therefore be noted that a positive pregnancy test result recorded before, on, or a day or two after expected menses should not be interpreted as a "false" positive result when menses commence a few days afterwards.

hCG levels may remain detectable for several weeks after normal delivery, delivery by caesarean section, spontaneous abortion, or therapeutic abortion.

As with all diagnostic tests, a diagnosis should not be based on the results of a single test, but should only be made by your doctor in conjunction with other clinical evidence.

Performance sensitivity characteristics

Midstream pregnancy test detects hCG levels of 20 mIU/ml or lower in urine.

Depending on the hCG concentration in the specimen, a positive result may be observed within 30 seconds.

However, to confirm a negative result, the complete reaction time of 5 minutes must be observed.

In many cases, Midstream pregnancy test can detect a pregnancy up to 2 days before expected menstruation.

For the detection of an early pregnancy, when hCG levels are still very low, it is recommended that a first morning urine specimen is used.

Accuracy of a home pregnancy test

100% correlation with a well known commercially available one step pregnancy test.

Specimen

Urine.

Pregnancy testing procedure

When you are ready to do the test, open the sealed pouch by cutting the end off with a pair of scissors.

Remove the test device from the pouch.

Hold the test device with one hand. Use the other hand to pull off the cap of the test device and expose the absorbent tip.

Pointing the absorbent tip downward, place the exposed tip in your urine stream for at least 5 seconds.

Re-cap the device and wait for the color band to appear.

Depending on the concentration of hCG, a positive result may he observed within 30 seconds.

However, to ensure that very low hCG concentrations are not missed, initial negative results should he left for at least 5 minutes before reading the result.

Do not read the test result after more than fifteen minutes as it may change or become unreliable.

Interpretation of pregnancy test results

Negative

Only one color band is visible in the test window. This result indicates that conception has possibly not occurred or that the hCG level of the specimen is below the detection sensitivity of the test. It is likely that you are not pregnant.

Positive

Two pink-rose bands are visible in the test window. This result indicates that conception has occurred and that it is highly likely that you are pregnant. Please note that if a second line is visible, even if it is very faint, it indicates a positive test result.

Inconclusive

If there are no visible color bands in the test window, the result is invalid. Proper procedures may not have been followed and insufficient urine was used to do the test. The test should be repeated with a fresh device. For this reason we supply two tests in order to correlate test results.

Things to keep in mind when doing a pregnancy test

• The quicker you know if you are pregnant or not, the quicker you can take steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy and minimize the risk of medical problems.

• Women taking fertility drugs may have wrong results, since some fertility drugs contain hCG which could influence the test and give wrong readings.

• Women who recently gave birth or who miscarried soon before the test, may have wrong results, since they may still have some hormones left over in their system.

• Finding out that you are pregnant could be unsettling for some women - please consult your medical practitioner, clinic, counselor etc. to discuss this if necessary.

Our home test kits

Information pages