Whether you are “testing for streaks” every morning or waiting for your missed period, you want results you can trust. Premom pregnancy tests are designed for high sensitivity, but accuracy may depend on your technique and timing.
In this guide, we’re going to walk through the process together, from the moment you feel the urge to test to interpreting those early faint lines with the help of the Premom app. We will cover step-by-step instructions for both strips and midstream tests, explain the science of hCG levels, and help you understand how your ovulation timing dictates when you may see that “Big Fat Positive” (BFP).
Key Takeaways: How to take Premom Pregnancy Test
- Test with first morning urine for the most accurate results.
- Read your result between 3 and 5 minutes. A faint line is still a positive.
- Use the Premom app to track your line progression. Scanning your tests helps you compare results over time and keeps everything organized in one place.
How Do I Use a Premom Pregnancy Test Correctly?
If you’re in the bathroom right now looking for a fast answer, here is the “cheat sheet” for the best results:
- Best Time to Test: Use First Morning Urine (FMU). This is when hCG is typically most concentrated.
- Strip vs. Midstream: For strips, dip to the “MAX” line for 5–10 seconds. For midstream, hold in your stream for 10 seconds.
- The Wait: Lay the test flat on a clean surface. Read the result between 3 and 5 minutes.
- The 10-Minute Rule: Never read a test after 10-15 minutes. Evaporation lines can appear after the test dries, leading to false hope.
- When to Retest: If you get a faint line or a negative but your period is still missing, wait 48 hours. hCG typically doubles every 1.5 to 2 days in early pregnancy. Remember, any double line, even if faint, is a positive as it indicates that hCG is present.
How Do Premom Pregnancy Tests Work?
What hCG Is and Why It Matters for Early Testing
Once a fertilized egg implants (usually 6 to 12 days after ovulation), your body begins producing a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is the signal that tells your body to sustain the pregnancy.
In the very earliest days, hCG levels start low. The concentration of hCG in urine increases exponentially during the first weeks of pregnancy, doubling approximately every 48 hours. This is why a test might be negative on Monday but show a faint positive by Wednesday.
What does ‘10 mIU/mL sensitivity’ actually mean?
When shopping for an at-home hCG test, you’ll see the term “sensitivity” followed by a number like 10 mIU/mL or 25 mIU/mL. Sensitivity refers to how much of the hormone needs to be present for the test to turn positive. Certain premom pregnancy tests detect levels as low as 10 mIU/mL, which means they can pick up a pregnancy days earlier than standard tests that often require 25 mIU/mL to show a line.
Strip vs Midstream in the Market: Which Should You Use
Both tests are equally accurate at detecting hCG, so the choice really comes down to your testing style.
| Feature | Pregnancy Test Strips | Midstream Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Frequent testing & tracking test line progression. | Convenient and easier to read. |
| Cost Per Test | Budget-friendly: approx. $0.30 – $0.50 per test. | Premium: approx. $1.00 – $10.00+ per test (Some digital midstream test costs $10+). |
| Usage Method | Requires dipping into a collected urine cup. | Used directly in the urine stream (no cup needed). |
| Design | Thin, medical-grade paper strips. | Plastic casing with a handle and cap. |
| Pros | Cost-effective for daily testing. Easy to track darkening lines. Less plastic used, eco-friendly. | No cup required. Easier to handle. |
| Cons | Requires a collection cup; can feel “clinical.” | Expensive to use daily; more plastic waste. |
When Should You Take a Premom Pregnancy Test for Optimal Results
While we know it’s tempting to test at 7 or 8 Days Past Ovulation (DPO), implantation usually hasn’t finished yet.
For most women, testing starts becoming reliable around 12 to 14 DPO.
First Morning Urine vs Afternoon Testing
In early pregnancy, your hCG is a “needle in a haystack.” If you drink a lot of water in the afternoon, your urine becomes diluted, making that needle even harder to find.
The detection limits of home pregnancy tests can be impacted by urine concentration, with early morning samples providing the highest diagnostic sensitivity. If you are testing in the afternoon, try a “liquid hold” for 2-4 hours to ensure the urine isn’t too diluted.
When is The Best Time to Test
- If you are 8–10 DPO: You are testing early. A negative result right now does not mean you are out. Plan to retest in about 48 hours.
- If you are 12+ DPO: Results are much more reliable, but you could still experience a false negative.
- If you want a little more certainty: Wait until the day of your missed period.
What Do I Need Before I Take a Premom Pregnancy Test?
Supplies Checklist (Strip vs Midstream)
Before you head to the bathroom, gather your gear:
- The Test: Check the expiration date on the foil pouch.
- A Clean Cup: (For strip users). Premom pee cups are reusable and collapsible.
- Your Phone: With the Premom app open to record the result. With a built-in time, you don’t even need a timer aside.
The Most Common Setup Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
The most common error is poor lighting. A faint positive can easily be missed in a dim bathroom. Another mistake is inconsistent testing, if you test at 6 AM one day and 4 PM the next, your “progression” won’t look accurate.
How to Use Premom Pregnancy Test Strips
The Premom pregnancy test strips are a staple for a reason. Here is how to use them:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Collect: Use a clean cup. For the most optimal results, use first morning urine because the hormone (hCG) is typically most concentrated then.
- Dip: Submerge the white absorbent for 10 seconds. Stop at the MAX line. Crossing this line can “flood” the test and make it invalid.
- Lay Flat: Place the strip on a flat, non-absorbent surface.
- Wait 3 Minutes: Set a timer. (The Premom app has one built-in on the test gallery screen).
- Read by 5 Minutes: Check your result between the 3 and 5-minute mark. Ignore anything you see after 10 minutes—dryness can cause “evaporation lines” that look like false positives.
- Scan: Open the Premom app and scan your result immediately. This helps track your hCG line progression and keeps your history organized in one private place.
How Do I Track My Line Progression?
If you are tracking “line progression” (watching the line get darker every two days), consistency is key. Test at the same time every morning, with your first morning urine, and use the Premom app’s photo feature to keep the lighting consistent. You can view the lines in sequence by viewing your pregnancy tests in the “hCG” tab within the premom app.
If the “C” (Control) line does not appear, the test is invalid. This usually happens if the strip was “flooded” (dipped past the MAX line) or if the strip was expired or damaged.
How to Take a Premom Midstream Pregnancy Test
Step-by-Step Instructions (Premom Midstream)
- Remove Cap: Expose the absorbent tip.
- Position: Place the tip in your urine stream for a full 10 seconds. Point the tip downward so urine doesn’t splash the result window.
- Lay Flat: Replace the cap and lay the test on a level surface.
- Wait 3 Minutes: Set your timer. Results are ready between 3 and 5 minutes.
- Log it: Snap a photo in the Premom app to save your result and keep your timeline accurate.
Even though midstream tests are built for convenience, gravity can sometimes work against you. One of the most common mistakes is tilting the test upward after testing. Always keep the absorbent tip pointing down toward the floor or lay it flat immediately. If urine flows backward toward the plastic handle instead of across the results window, it can ‘flood’ the internal strip and give you an invalid reading. Also, ensure you’re getting a full 10-second sample; a quick splash usually isn’t enough to activate the test.
How to Read a Premom Pregnancy Test Result
What a Positive Result Looks Like (Including a Faint Line)
Any second colored line that appears within the 3–5 minute window is a positive.
In the very early days (like 9 or 10 DPO), that line might be so light it’s called a “squinter.” If there is pink pigment in that second line, congratulations—you are pregnant! Your next step is to switch the Premom app to “Pregnancy Mode” to track your milestones.
What a Negative Result Looks Like (and When It Can Be Wrong)
A single line at the “C” (Control) position means the test is negative. However, this could be a “False Negative” if:
- You ovulated later than you thought.
- Your urine was too diluted.
- It is simply too early for the hCG to be detected.
What an Invalid Result Looks Like
If no lines appear, or if only the “T” (Test) line appears without the “C” line, the test is broken. Throw it away and try again with a fresh one.
Why do I get different results on different pregnancy tests?
It is incredibly frustrating to get a faint line on one brand and a “Not Pregnant” on another. Here is why it happens:
- Different Sensitivities: If you use a Premom test (10 mIU/mL) and a digital drugstore test (25 mIU/mL), the Premom test will likely show a positive much earlier.
- Dilution: If you peed at 8 AM and then again at 10 AM, the second sample will have much less hCG.
- Batch Differences: While rare, slight variations in the manufacturing of the antibodies on the strips can result in slight differences in line darkness.
Using The Premom App To Track Your Pregnancy Test Results
This is where Premom really shines as your “fertility partner.” When you take a photo of your test right after you read it, the app can scan the result into your chart. You’ll still make a quick manual selection of Positive or Negative. Then Premom helps you automatically time-stamp and organize everything in a clean timeline.
Why this helps during the two-week wait:
- No mix-ups: You’ll know exactly which day (and time) each test was taken.
- Easier comparisons: Your tests are displayed in order, making line progression clearer.
- Less second-guessing: You’re not wondering if the “faint line” you remember was from today or two days ago.
- One place for everything: Your results stay connected to your cycle and ovulation data—so the test isn’t just a standalone photo.
Track More Than Pregnancy Tests
The most powerful feature is seeing your pregnancy test in the context of your whole cycle. The app overlays your pregnancy tests with your ovulation tests and Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charts. Seeing a high BBT alongside a faint positive provides an extra layer of reassurance.
Premom also offers a cycle report with analysis that allows you to better understand your body and prepare for the Two-Week-Wait.
A single test result is just a snapshot in time. Whether you see a faint line today or a clear negative, your journey is unique, and you have a community and a suite of tools here to support you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Premom Pregnancy Tests
As early as 5 days before your missed period, though accuracy increases every day you wait.
With clear results and simple instructions, the Premom Pregnancy Tests are very easy to use. Combining with the Premom App helps you better organize your test results.
Yes, but first morning urine is much more reliable in the early days because hCG is so much more concentrated at this time.
Over-hydration can dilute the hCG levels in your urine, but is uncommon.
A solid 5 to 10 seconds is perfect.
If it appeared within the time window and has color, it means hCG was detected. You are likely in the very early stages of pregnancy!
Sometimes, because LH and hCG are molecularly similar, but an ovulation test is not a reliable way to confirm pregnancy. Always use an hCG test.
Yes, if you took an “hCG trigger shot” (like Ovidrel), it can stay in your system for up to 14 days and cause a false positive.
References:
- Cole, L. A. (2009). hCG and Hyperglycosylated hCG in the Monitoring and Diagnosis of Abnormal Pregnancies. Clinica Chimica Acta.
- Butler, S. A., et al. (2001). Detection of early pregnancy by home pregnancy tests. Journal of Medical Screening.
- Gnoth, C., & Johnson, S. (2014). Strips of Hope: Accuracy of Home Pregnancy Tests and New Developments. Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde.
- Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Gholbzouri K, Narasimhan M. Self-testing for pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2022 Feb 28;12(2):e054120. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054120. PMID: 35228285; PMCID: PMC8886405.
