Homemade pregnancy tests from our grandmothers

Not so long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, our grandmothers had their own homemade pregnancy test methods, passed down from generation to generation.

Of course, they are far from reliable (very far, in some cases), and today’s methods are much preferred—but at least they’re original.

What were our grandmothers’ homemade pregnancy tests?

Looking for an original answer to THE question? Let’s take a look at some grandmotherly tricks used before modern pregnancy tests were perfected. You won’t be disappointed.

All the tests we’re talking about today involve “examining” urine (and the beta-hCG hormone—the hallmark pregnancy hormone—found in it): the same principle as our current tests, but in a much more… creative way!

The white vinegar method

As with many of the tricks that follow, you’ll find all the items you need right in your kitchen cupboard. Convenient, right?

Let’s start with white vinegar. Collect your first morning urine in a jar or glass and add white vinegar. According to some:

✅ You’re pregnant: if the vinegar changes color.
❌ You’re not pregnant: if the vinegar stays the same.

The sugar method

Now it’s sugar’s turn: once again, grab your urine jar. In a bowl, pour your urine and add sugar. After a few minutes, the test is done! According to this grandmotherly tip, you’re supposedly:

✅ Pregnant: if the sugar clumps together.
❌ Not pregnant: if the sugar dissolves.

The toothpaste method

You’re getting the hang of it: collect your first morning urine, then in another container, place a dab of toothpaste. Pour a bit of urine over it and wait a few minutes. Then—surprise, surprise:

✅ Apparently pregnant: if the toothpaste turns blue and/or foams.
❌ Apparently not pregnant: if the color doesn’t change.

The salt method

Same steps as usual: pour a sample of your morning urine into a container, add a pinch of coarse salt and wait a while.

✅ You might be pregnant: if the salt dissolves.
❌ Probably not: if there’s no notable change.

The baking soda method

Baking soda didn’t escape grandmotherly creativity either! For this homemade test, simply collect your morning urine in a clean container and add a bit of baking soda. That’s when the magic happens (if not scientifically backed).

✅ Presumed pregnant: if the mixture fizzes.
❌ Probably not: if nothing happens.

Since our grandmothers were never short on imagination, there are many more—but we’ll stop here!

The scientific methods of the past

And as a little anecdote: even scientists took quite some time to develop today’s pregnancy tests. It was only at the very beginning of the 20th century that pregnancy hormones (beta-hCG) were officially identified.

To determine whether a woman was pregnant, a urine sample would be injected into a rabbit’s ovary or a frog capable of laying eggs year-round.

If, after a few days, changes were observed in the rabbit’s ovaries (through dissection) or if the frog laid eggs, it meant the woman was pregnant—because it was assumed her urine contained high levels of beta-hCG.

Are these homemade pregnancy tests reliable?

Homemade pregnancy tests: fast, cheap, easy to understand, simple to improvise… If only they were 100% reliable!

Unfortunately, like many home remedies, there’s no scientific evidence backing them up. Sometimes they’ll be right, sometimes wrong—but one thing’s for sure: the results should definitely not be taken at face value.

These homemade pregnancy tests are not reliable. However, they might give you the courage to step into a pharmacy and buy a proper test.

Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.

How can you be sure you’re pregnant?

Today, the two most reliable pregnancy tests are the urine test and the blood test. The urine test typically needs to be confirmed with a blood test.

The urine test

These tests are available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and drugstores, and unfortunately, they’re not covered by health insurance. Ideally, take the test first thing in the morning. Urine is more concentrated then, which helps the test better detect the presence of beta-hCG (at least our grandmothers got that part right).

To use this kind of test, you just need to urinate on it for about ten seconds (or dip it in a cup of urine you’ve collected), then read the results according to the instructions.

Urine pregnancy tests are considered 99% reliable. But be careful not to take it too early (before a missed period), or you may get a false negative.

The blood test

The beta-hCG hormone is also present in the blood. That’s why, most often, after a urine test, healthcare professionals will prescribe a blood test.

Blood tests are 100% reliable and are covered by health insurance when prescribed.

Homemade pregnancy tests from our grandmothers may be fun to try, but they’re absolutely not reliable. If you’re curious and want to give them a go—why not! But to confirm pregnancy, urine and/or blood tests are your only truly reliable options.

If your test is positive, you might want to know what happens next.

• 1st week of pregnancy – 3 weeks gestation: what to know
• Pregnant and alone: how to cope?
• Pregnancy disclosure to your employer: how to do it?

Written by Sonia Monot with the May experts.

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Photo: ©nodar77, Envato

This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May ES/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.