How to check pregnancy at home naturally: 5 DIY methods

Wondering if you might be welcoming a tiny guest in about nine months? The suspense, excitement and curiosity can be overwhelming, but not everyone wants to dash off to the pharmacy for a test right away.

These methods are simple and natural, and they might just give you the heads-up you're looking for.

Whether it's due to privacy concerns, budget constraints, or simply the thrill of experimenting, many people turn to natural, homemade pregnancy tests. And guess what? We've got the lowdown on some of the most popular DIY methods that have been passed down through generations. They're simple, they're natural, and they might just give you the heads-up you're looking for.

5 ways to check pregnancy at home

We've got the lowdown on some of the most talked-about DIY methods that have been passed down through generations. So, if you're keen to play detective in your own pregnancy saga, keep reading!

1. The sugar test

The sugar pregnancy test is another traditional, do-it-yourself method that some people use in an attempt to determine pregnancy at home. This test is based on the interaction between urine and sugar to supposedly indicate the presence of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how the sugar pregnancy test is typically conducted:

How to test with sugar

1. Gathering Materials: You will need a clean bowl and two to three tablespoons of granulated sugar. It's essential to ensure that both the bowl and the sugar are clean to avoid contaminating the test with substances that could interfere with the results.

2. Collecting the Urine Sample: The test is usually performed with the first urine of the morning, as it's believed to have the highest concentration of hormones. Collect a small amount of urine in a clean container.

3. Performing the Test: Pour the collected urine over the sugar in the bowl. The recommendation is to use enough urine to completely cover the sugar.

4. Observation Period: After adding the urine to the sugar, wait for a few minutes to observe what happens. The interaction between the urine and the sugar is the key to interpreting the test's outcome.

5. Interpreting the Results: The belief behind this test is that if the sugar clumps together and does not dissolve in the urine, this could indicate a positive pregnancy result, suggesting the presence of hCG. Conversely, if the sugar dissolves easily and no clumping is observed, the test is considered negative, indicating that no pregnancy hormone is detected.

2. The salt test

The salt pregnancy test is a popular do-it-yourself method that some individuals use in an attempt to determine pregnancy at home, using simple ingredients found in most kitchens. This method involves mixing a sample of urine with salt to observe any chemical reactions that might suggest the presence of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Here's how this test is typically described:

How to test with salt

1. Materials Needed: All you need for this test is a clean, transparent glass or bowl and a small amount of table salt.

2. Collecting the Urine Sample: It's recommended to use the first urine of the morning for this test because it's likely to have the highest concentration of hormones.

3. Conducting the Test: Pour the urine sample into the glass or bowl, then add a couple of pinches of salt. The exact amount of salt isn't strictly defined, but generally, a teaspoon or two should suffice.

4. Observation: After adding the salt to the urine, let the mixture sit for a few minutes. Observers look for changes in the mixture as a possible indication of pregnancy.

5. Interpreting Results: The belief is that if a woman is pregnant, the salt will react with the hCG hormone in her urine, causing the mixture to become cheesy or milky in appearance, sometimes with a frothy top. If no such reaction occurs, and the mixture simply dissolves or remains unchanged, the test is considered negative.

3. The toothpaste test

The toothpaste pregnancy test is a DIY method that some people use as a homemade way to try to determine if they are pregnant. This unconventional test involves mixing urine with toothpaste to observe chemical reactions that purportedly indicate the presence of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Here's how it is generally described:

How to test with toothpaste

1. Gathering Materials: You will need white toothpaste (the plain kind, without any colouring or gel) and a clean container or dish to mix the urine and toothpaste.

2. Preparing the Test: Place a small amount of the white toothpaste in the container.

3. Collecting the Urine Sample: Similar to other home pregnancy tests, it's suggested to use the first urine of the morning, as it contains the highest concentration of hCG. Collect the urine in a separate clean container.

4. Conducting the Test: Add the morning urine to the toothpaste and mix it. The amount of urine should be enough to interact with the toothpaste but not so much that it dilutes it excessively.

5. Observation: After mixing the urine with the toothpaste, wait for a few minutes to observe any changes. The expectations from this test vary, but common indicators of a positive result include the mixture frothing or fizzing, changing colour (particularly to blue or bluish), or becoming frothy.

6. Interpreting the Results: A reaction such as frothing, fizzing, or colour change is often interpreted by proponents of this method as a positive indication of pregnancy. If there is no change to the toothpaste after adding the urine, it is considered a negative result.

4. Onion test

The onion pregnancy test is an unconventional and traditional method that has been cited in folklore as a way to determine pregnancy. This method is far from scientific and lacks any medical or scientific validation but is interesting as a piece of historical or cultural trivia. The test involves using onions to supposedly detect pregnancy, relying on the principle that if a woman is pregnant, her body's changes will affect how she processes certain smells and substances. Here's how it is said to work:

How to test with onion

1. Preparation: Take a small onion (or a slice of onion) and place it inside the woman's sock, undergarment, or close to her body before she goes to sleep.

2. The Test: The belief is that if the woman is pregnant, she will be able to taste the onion in her mouth upon waking up in the morning. This is thought to happen due to changes in her body's circulation and increased sensitivity, supposedly allowing the scent or essence of the onion to travel through her bloodstream and be detected in her mouth.

3. Interpreting Results: If the woman tastes the onion the next morning, it's taken as an indication that she might be pregnant. If she does not taste the onion, then she is presumed not to be pregnant.

5. Fingers test

The "checking with fingers" or "finger pregnancy test" is a method some people believe can help determine pregnancy by feeling for physical changes in the cervix or the firmness of the abdomen. However, it's crucial to emphasise that this method is not scientifically validated, lacks accuracy, and should not be relied upon for determining pregnancy.

How to check with fingers

1. Cleanliness First: Before attempting to feel the cervix, it's critical to wash your hands thoroughly to minimize the risk of introducing bacteria into the vaginal area, which could lead to infection.

2. Finding the Cervix: The person attempting the check would insert one or two cleaned fingers into the vagina until they reach the cervix. The cervix feels like the tip of your nose and is located at the top of the vaginal canal. The position and texture of the cervix can vary widely among individuals and throughout the menstrual cycle.

3. Feeling for Changes: In the context of this method, individuals are looking for certain changes in the cervix that some believe are indicative of pregnancy, such as:

4. Softness: The cervix may feel softer than usual, similar to the consistency of your lips rather than the tip of your nose. This change, known as "Goodell's sign," is a clinical sign of pregnancy but can be subtle and subjective.

• Height: The cervix might be positioned higher in the vagina, making it more difficult to reach.

• Closed: The cervical opening might feel more closed compared to its non-pregnant state.

Disclaimer: It's crucial to note that the methods listed above are not medically confirmed and lack scientific accuracy. The changes in the body during early pregnancy are subtle and not discernible through casual physical examination. Relying on this technique could lead to incorrect assumptions about one's pregnancy status.