The Test is an extremely quick, sensitive and reliable indicator of pregnancy. It works by detecting the presence of a hormone called HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrpin) in the urine – HCG is produced by the placenta, and is not normally present in urine in women.
Each pregnancy test has specific chemicals dried within it. The test stick can be either dipped in urine held in a container (the cup method) or, the absorbent end directed in the flow of urine (the midstream method). This urine sample then travels along the test stick and if HCG is present in the urine sample it will form a complex with coloured particles which have an antibody to HCG bound on it. This complex will be bound by another antibody known as the “capture” antibody and a visible pink line will appear. A pink control line will always appear to show that the test has worked properly.
