A urine sample is obtained. Urinate in the normal manner, but collect a sample in a container. Usually a first-morning sample (the first time the person urinates in the morning) is preferred, because it is the most concentrated.

Home pregnancy tests simply require the test strip to be dipped into the urine or passed through the urine stream while urinating.

Qualitative urine HCG tests are a common method of determining if a woman is pregnant. A home pregnancy test usually uses this method.

HCG is detectable in the blood or urine 1 to 2 days after implantation of the fertilized egg (10 days after ovulation). HCG increases rapidly in the first trimester, reaching a peak 60 to 80 days after fertilization, then drops off quickly to 10-30% of the peak value for the rest of the pregnancy.

HCG maintains progesterone production by the corpus luteum in the early stages of pregnancy. By the time HCG drops at the beginning of the second trimester, the placenta can make sufficient progesterone to maintain the endometrium (uterine lining). HCG also stimulates the development of fetal gonads and the synthesis of androgens (male hormones) by the fetal testes.

• The test is negative if you are not pregnant.
• The test is positive if you are pregnant.

• ectopic pregnancy
• miscarriage
• testicular cancer
• trophoblastic tumor

• blood in the urine
• protein in the urine
• use of tranquilizer medications (e.g., Compazine, Thorazine)
• use of penicillin or methadone
• urinary tract infections
• hepatitis