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.<\/p>\n
Of course, they are far from reliable (very far, in some cases), and today\u2019s methods are much preferred\u2014but at least they\u2019re original.<\/p>\n
Looking for an original answer to THE question? Let\u2019s take a look at some grandmotherly tricks used before modern pregnancy tests were perfected. You won\u2019t be disappointed.<\/p>\n
All the tests we\u2019re talking about today involve \u201cexamining\u201d urine (and the beta-hCG hormone\u2014the hallmark pregnancy hormone\u2014found in it): the same principle as our current tests, but in a much more… creative way!<\/p>\n
As with many of the tricks that follow, you\u2019ll find all the items you need right in your kitchen cupboard. Convenient, right?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with white vinegar. Collect your first morning urine in a jar or glass and add white vinegar. According to some:<\/p>\n
\u2705 You\u2019re pregnant: if the vinegar changes color.
\n\u274c You\u2019re not pregnant: if the vinegar stays the same.<\/p>\n
Now it\u2019s sugar\u2019s 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\u2019re supposedly:<\/p>\n
\u2705 Pregnant: if the sugar clumps together.
\n\u274c Not pregnant: if the sugar dissolves.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re 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\u2014surprise, surprise:<\/p>\n
\u2705 Apparently pregnant: if the toothpaste turns blue and\/or foams.
\n\u274c Apparently not pregnant: if the color doesn\u2019t change.<\/p>\n
Same steps as usual: pour a sample of your morning urine into a container, add a pinch of coarse salt and wait a while.<\/p>\n
\u2705 You might be pregnant: if the salt dissolves.
\n\u274c Probably not: if there\u2019s no notable change.<\/p>\n
Baking soda didn\u2019t 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\u2019s when the magic happens (if not scientifically backed).<\/p>\n
\u2705 Presumed pregnant: if the mixture fizzes.
\n\u274c Probably not: if nothing happens.<\/p>\n
Since our grandmothers were never short on imagination, there are many more\u2014but we\u2019ll stop here!<\/p>\n
And as a little anecdote: even scientists took quite some time to develop today\u2019s pregnancy tests. It was only at the very beginning of the 20th century that pregnancy hormones (beta-hCG) were officially identified.<\/p>\n
To determine whether a woman was pregnant, a urine sample would be injected into a rabbit\u2019s ovary or a frog capable of laying eggs year-round.<\/p>\n
If, after a few days, changes were observed in the rabbit\u2019s ovaries (through dissection) or if the frog laid eggs, it meant the woman was pregnant\u2014because it was assumed her urine contained high levels of beta-hCG.<\/p>\n
Homemade pregnancy tests: fast, cheap, easy to understand, simple to improvise\u2026 If only they were 100% reliable!<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, like many home remedies, there\u2019s no scientific evidence backing them up. Sometimes they\u2019ll be right, sometimes wrong\u2014but one thing\u2019s for sure: the results should definitely not be taken at face value.<\/p>\n