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Pregnancy Test at Home with Toothpaste - Method & Effectiveness
Finding out that you are pregnant can be a wonderful moment for the couples who are looking forward to being parents. While getting a pregnancy test from the pharmacy is the easiest way to go about it, there are a few other options you can choose from to test your pregnancy too. One such alternative is the toothpaste test. This can come handy if you cannot get a store bought one or you just want to have some fun while finding out that you are pregnant. Here’s how to do it and how effective it can be.
What is a Toothpaste Pregnancy Test?
In the toothpaste pregnancy test, the woman uses her urine and some toothpaste to check whether any pregnancy hormone is present in the urine. This gives her a clear idea of the symptoms she has been experiencing lately. By toothpaste test, you can find out if you are pregnant or whether it was a false alarm. The colour of the toothpaste changes if it comes in contact with the pregnancy hormones in the urine, so the woman has to visit the doctor to confirm her pregnancy if the colour change occurs.
How to Do Homemade Pregnancy Test with Toothpaste?
Carrying out the homemade pregnancy test using toothpaste is an easy task, as it requires very few items. It was the pregnancy test used by women in rural areas for decades, as getting a pregnancy kit was not an option back then owing to a lack of large medical stores.
What You Will Need
White, plain toothpaste
Two clean cups
A sample of morning urine
What to Do?
The first step is to gather everything you need and place them at an accessible distance.
Squirt a teaspoon of toothpaste into the cup.
Take the sample of morning urine, and pour a few droplets of it onto the toothpaste. You can either pour it directly or use a medicine dropper for this.
Use a clean stick to mix the toothpaste and the urine, and leave it alone for a few minutes.
After that, check the mixture for any colour changes that may have occurred. The toothpaste may turn little bluish, or it may undergo other reactions like it may become frothy or have bubbles - if any of these occur, the odds are that you are pregnant.
If no reaction occurs whatsoever, you are probably not pregnant.
How Does the Test Work?
The urine of a pregnant woman contains a pregnancy hormone called hCG, which is produced in large quantities by the body. This hormone reacts with the chemicals in the toothpaste, and you notice a change in colour of toothpaste, froth, or bubbles in the mixture. If the hormone is not present in adequate amounts, there will be no reaction - this means that the odds are that you are not pregnant.
How Effective is the Test?
The test is one of the easiest ways for a woman to put her mind at rest, as it can be carried out easily in the privacy of the bathroom whenever she wants. However, there are questions regarding whether it is accurate and if the results are definitive or not. The effectiveness of the test also depends upon the quality and condition of the items you use for the test, including the paste, the cups, and even the stirrer. If any of these have any contaminants or if the toothpaste is of low quality, the result of the pregnancy test may be a false one.
What Does the Result Mean?
If the result of the toothpaste pregnancy test is positive, the colour of the mixture will change or it will become frothy, or form bubbles. This means that there is something in your urine that has reacted with the toothpaste, which is probably hCG hormone. The odds are that you are pregnant, in this case. If there is no change in the mixture in the next 3-5 minutes, you are probably not pregnant. However, you can visit the doctor if you feel apprehensive about the result of the negative test.
How to Get Best Result from Pregnancy Test Using Toothpaste?
The most important thing to remember is to ensure cleanliness and quality - both of these characteristics can have great effects on the outcome of your test. The toothpaste you use should be of a plain white colour and of high quality. The colour change is better visible that way and a good quality toothpaste reacts better with the hormones in the urine. The cups and the stirrer should not be contaminated and they should be cleaned before using them. This ensures that there are no false results that occur as a result of any foreign substances present in the cups themselves.
Pros and Cons of This Test
Everything in the world has its share of pros and cons. So, does this home pregnancy test. Here are some of the pros and cons of the test which you should be aware of.
Pros
The toothpaste pregnancy test is one of the cheapest methods for a woman to check whether she is pregnant. The test is virtually free, compared to the price of a standard pregnancy test which is available at a medical store.
The test is extremely easy to perform, as women can carry it out from the privacy of their bathroom with ease.
The test is also a quick one, as the results are obtained within a couple of minutes of mixing the urine with the toothpaste.
Cons
The result of the test can be confusing, as it requires only some sort of reaction to occur. The amount of urine and toothpaste used has to be roughly the same if you want to read the results correctly.
The timings are fuzzy - there have been instances where the reaction has been visible only after ten minutes of mixing, while it should come in around 3-5 minutes.
The result can be wrong, too. This can occur because of the quality of the items, the timing of the test or for no reason at all.
How Accurate is Toothpaste Pregnancy Test?
You can definitely make your own pregnancy test with toothpaste when required, but women are always doubtful regarding the credibility of the results obtained. The toothpaste and urine pregnancy test has a success rate of around 85% but the chances of false results are around 15%, which certainly cannot be ignored. This can be due to various controllable or even uncontrollable factors, so it is always best to visit the doctor in case of doubts.
You can check whether you are pregnant from the comfort of your home, with the toothpaste pregnancy test. The test is extremely easy to carry out and does not require anything expensive or does not take a long time as well. However, make sure to use quality items and clean them thoroughly before using, so that you do not compromise the integrity of the test.
Also Read: Baking Soda Pregnancy Test Read more
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Keeping Allergies at Bay when Introducing Solid Foods to your Baby
Your baby is growing up fast. She has crossed the age of six months, and she can probably sit up on her own. She looks with interest as you have your meals. This is the best time to introduce her to solids! However, the journey of your baby from breast milk to solid foods might cause some food allergies. It is critical for you to be aware of the foods that can upset your baby’s digestive system and know just how to save him from scary allergies!
Starting solid foods is quite an adventure for your little ones. They have fed exclusively on milk - breast milk or formula - all this while and it is now time to eat something more interesting! While starting solid foods is crucial for your child's growth and development, this is also a very sensitive time for his stomach. Many babies come down with one food allergy or the other when they start solid foods, or have been eating solid foods for a relatively short period of time. While these allergies are common, that doesn't make them any less painful for your baby!
Common Food Allergies To Guard Your Baby Against - and What Causes Them
1. Hives
Hives are pale, patchy areas on the skin that are itchy and pinkish in appearance. They are often known to disappear and make a sudden re-appearance again.
Foods that cause them: soybeans, wheat, fish, eggs and shellfish
2. Eczema
Eczema is a reddish rash on the skin which is dry, thickened and scaly in appearance. Although eczema is usually aggravated by heat, dust and pollution, food sources are not uncommon.
Foods that cause them: dairy products, soy and eggs
3. Breathlessness
This is the scariest allergy of all. Your little one’s airway closes, and she finds it hard to breathe. Like all allergies, the exact cause cannot be pinpointed, but there are certain foods proven to bring this on in some babies.
Foods that cause them: certain types of nuts and eggs
Must Do's to Avoid Food Allergies in Babies
The key to preventing food allergies in babies is simple: totally avoid foods that cause them. But this is simpler said than done! If you are feeding a little bit of everything to your baby, as most mother do, tracking the allergen becomes all the more difficult. It is best to consult your allergist at the earliest in case of an outbreak. The expert, after taking a few blood or skin tests, would be able to tell you the foods that are triggering the allergic reactions in your baby.
Here are some must-dos you should keep in mind to avoid allergies and ensure that your baby is gaining all the right nutrients from the food she is just beginning to eat:
1. Introduce Solids Very, Very Gradually
This is the most important step. You must never rush into solid foods. Introduce solid foods to your baby in a phased manner only, and be constantly vigilant to any reactions or symptoms she might develop as a result.
2. Never Forget to Read Food Labels
Whenever you feed your baby anything brought from the store, read the food labels carefully. This is especially critical before introducing a new food, and will go a long way in preventing severe allergic reactions in your baby.
3. Give Detailed Instructions to Caretakers
Leave detailed written instructions about the foods to be avoided if you have day-care workers, babysitters or relatives taking care of your little one. Also, make sure that the caretakers know exactly what steps to follow in case of an allergic outbreak.
4. Make An Anti-allergy Action Plan
Allergies usually don’t follow any rules and recurrence is usually more severe than the first episode. Consult with your baby’s pediatrician or allergist, and chalk out a detailed action plan for a sudden outbreak of allergies. The doctor might prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector which automatically administers the right dose of epinephrine to your baby.
5. Finally, Keep Track of and Act According to Your Family History
If allergies run in the family, chances are your baby would also inherit them. In that case, delay the introduction of solids for as long as possible and breastfeed your baby. Breast milk improves the immunity of your little one, and makes her less prone to allergies.
Although food allergies seem like scary monsters, the good news is that most children outgrow them before they begin school. However, if your little one does have an allergy, ensure that you use anti-allergic products like fabrics, detergents, etc. as food allergies can trigger allergies of other kind as well. A little bit of vigilance and care is all that is needed to keep those allergies at bay. Good luck! Read more
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Asthma in Babies
Asthma is one the most common breathing ailments, and it may affect babies and young children too. However, proper care and medical assistance can ensure a healthy lifestyle for your baby. We shall be discussing various causes and symptoms of asthma and different treatment options available for the same.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is the chronic inflammation of the airways due to heightened sensitivity to the inhaled allergens and irritants. In other words, asthma can be characterized as a medical condition in which the airways become swollen and hinder the airflow to the lungs. The body’s immune reaction resulting from various irritants and environmental pollutants (pollens, dust, tobacco smoke etc.) may cause asthma. Therefore, there is a strong link between asthma and allergies. It is often seen that people who suffer from asthma have hypersensitive airways and minor irritants or allergens may cause their respiratory tract to overreact.
Babies or infants have smaller airways in comparison to older children and adults. Small airways get easily blocked by viral infections, mucus, or tight airways, and may lead to breathing difficulties. Therefore, asthma in babies under 12 months of age can be an extremely difficult situation.
How Common Is it in Babies?
Asthma may affect 10 to 12 percent kids, and these figures are on the rise. Usually a child may have his first bout of asthma by around five years of age; however, it may not get diagnosed until later. Asthma has become one of the leading causes of chronic ailments in kids.
What Causes Asthma in Infants?
The exact cause of asthma is not known. However, it may happen due to either of the following:
Allergy-based Asthma
The cause of allergy-based asthma is the sensitive immune system. If a baby has allergy-based asthma, he might be sensitive to certain allergens. The triggers may vary from child to child. Some of the common triggers are pollens, dust mites, pet hair, or saliva.
Non-Allergic Asthma
Asthma may occur due to other reasons that may include the family history (genetic reasons) or respiratory infections.
What are the Symptoms of Infantile Asthma
New parents often wonder how will they come to know if their baby has asthma or not. The answer to this is to look for the symptoms. Following are some of the symptoms of infantile asthma:
Rapid Breathing Pattern
If your baby has asthma, you may find a change in your baby’s breathing pattern. The usual breathing pattern of a three-month-old baby is 30 to 60 breaths per minute. This breathing pattern changes from three months onwards and becomes 20 to 40 breaths per minute. However, a baby with asthma may show 50 percent increase in the breaths per minute.
Tightness in the Chest
A baby with asthma will have a stiff chest because of stretched thoracic muscles.
Strenuous Breathing
You may find your baby struggling to breathe properly, and the rapid belly movements and flared nostrils are the visible signs of the same.
An excessive Cough
You may notice your baby coughing uncontrollably. These coughing bouts may become more prominent during late evenings or at the night time.
Wheezing Sound
An asthmatic baby will make a wheezing sound while breathing. This wheezing sound occurs due to strained breathing.
Difficulty in Eating
A baby with asthma may find it difficult to eat properly. This is due to the difficulty in breathing.
Tiredness and Lethargy
If your baby has asthma, you may find your baby less active than usual.
Faint Crying Sounds
Asthmatic babies make faint crying sounds, or their cries are very feeble in comparison to normal babies.
Blue or Pale Skin and Nails
The lower levels of oxygen in the blood may make your baby’s lips or nail beds appear blue or pale in colour.
These are some signs of asthma in babies that will help you establish if your baby is suffering from this medical condition.
Knowing Asthma Emergencies
The asthma attack can be mild, moderate, or severe. A baby may feel normal and act fine under a mild asthma attack. However, in a moderate or severe asthma attack, your baby may exhibit the following signs:
Increased breathing rate (more than 40 breaths per minute while sleeping).
Chest gets bigger.
Change in skin colour (pale or blue around the lips and fingernails).
Feeding or suckling stops.
Wider nostrils.
Faint and soft crying.
If you register above signs and symptoms in your baby, take care of it right away.
Which Infants are Most at the Risk of Getting Asthma?
Your infant or baby is more likely to have asthma under following circumstances:
If it Runs in the Family
Most cases of asthma are genetic, and if either of the parents has asthma, there is a high possibility that the baby will have it too. Your baby also has chances of having asthma if any of the close blood relatives has asthma.
Allergies
If your baby is allergic to airborne substances (dust mites, pollens, plant fibres, fungal spores and moulds) then there is a high possibility that your baby will have asthma. More than 60 percent of asthma cases are of allergic asthma. When your baby inhales either of these allergens, his immune system acts vigorously. This in turns results in inflamed airways and accelerated mucus that triggers asthma.
Eczema
The correlation between eczema and asthma is being backed by scientific research too. This means that both these ailments are caused because of the same mutated gene. Thus, if your baby suffers from eczema, there are 20 percent chances that he will have asthma too.
High Eosinophil Count
Your baby’s eosinophil count (a type of white blood cell) may become higher if your baby is prone to allergies. More than four percent eosinophil count in your baby’s blood and saliva makes him susceptible to asthma.
Wheezing
If you notice a wheezing sound with every bout of cold, this means your baby has constricted airways. This condition may lead to asthma in babies.
Food Allergies
Asthma resulting from food allergies is not very common. However, there are chances that your baby may develop asthma because of certain food allergies.
How Is Asthma Diagnosed in Babies?
If your doctor suspects that your baby has asthma, he may adopt following measures to ascertain the same:
Enquire About the Symptoms
Your doctor may ask you about various asthmatic symptoms that your baby may be exhibiting.
Study the Family’s Medical History
You may be asked about your family’s medical history. He will enquire if there have been any cases of allergies, eczema, or asthma in the family earlier.
X-Ray of the Chest
Your doctor will suggest performing an x-ray of your baby's chest to examine any blockage in the bronchioles, swelling in the tissues, or accumulation of mucus.
Blood Test
Your baby’s blood may be tested to check the eosinophil count. The increased count is indicative of asthma.
The diagnosis is made after checking the above-mentioned parameters. Once the diagnosis is complete, your doctor will advise you on the best treatment options for your baby.
Treatments for Infant Asthma
There is no cure for asthma. The medication only helps in managing the symptoms of this ailment. There are various ways in which medicine may be administered to your baby, such as:
Nebulizer
Dry-Powder Inhaler (DPI)
Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI)
Injections
If you are looking for medicines, then you should know that asthma medicines generally fall into three categories which are as follows:
Long-Term Control Medicines
As the name suggests, the infants may be required to take this medicines for a long time to prevent the symptoms of asthma. The severity of your baby’s condition will help your doctor decide how long your baby may be requiring the medicine.
Quick-Relief Medicines
These medicines provide quick relief from breathlessness, wheezing, and tightness in the chest muscles. These medicines can be administered intravenously or through MDI. They provide instant relief from the symptoms of asthma and are not used to provide long-term benefit.
Allergy-Induced Asthma Medicines
If the culprit of the asthma attack is allergens, then your doctor will suggest a separate course of medicines. The allergy induced asthma medicines work in conjunction with quick-relief and long-term asthma medicines.
What Can Be Done to Reduce Asthma Symptoms?
As a parent you may wonder how to prevent asthma in babies or what measures can you adapt to reduce asthma symptoms in babies. Worry not, here are some possible solution to your problem:
Keep your baby away from probable triggers (tobacco smoke, vehicular effluents etc).
Keep your baby’s room clean and dust-free.
Give washable toys to your baby and wash them once a weak.
Keep your baby away from pets.
Use air purifiers and humidifiers when necessary.
Avoid food that may trigger allergies.
All the above-mentioned may help in reducing the symptoms of asthma. However, as soon as you establish any asthmatic symptoms in your baby, seek medical help immediately.
How to Manage Infantile Asthma?
Asthma can be troubling not only for the child but for the parents too. Below are some measures that you can employ to manage infantile asthma:
Understand and look out for the emergency asthma signs in your baby. Knowing your baby’s asthma pattern helps you tackle it better.
It is important that you make a care plan with your doctor to take apt measures during emergencies.
Stick to your baby’s care plan and talk regularly to your doctor about the same.
Help your toddler and pre-schooler to learn to explain to you if they are not feeling too well.
Is Asthma Curable?
Asthma is a chronic condition that may affect your baby for a long time. There is no available cure for asthma; however, in some children, the symptoms of asthma become less severe as they grow. It is seen that 50 percent of kids outgrow their asthma symptoms by the time reach adolescence.
It is very important for parents to understand that asthma may not hamper proper growth and development of the baby if you take proper care. Get proper medical help and guidance to manage this chronic ailment in your baby.
Also Read: Bronchiolitis in Babies – Causes, Signs And Treatment Read more
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You Know You Are Pregnant When When All These, and More, Happen!
You know you are pregnant when...
Your back hurts and stomach burns with an intensity which makes Aunt Flo an angel. And you say, "Boy, I so miss my periods since I have missed a period!"
You know you are pregnant when...
You stand in front of a wardrobe for an hour. "This would make me look really pregnant. But that would hide the bump really well. Which one should I wear?"
You know you are pregnant when...
At the sight of karela, you say to yourself, "I hate karela from the deepest corners corner of my heart. Then why is every other part of my body screaming 'I love karela!'".
You know you are pregnant when...
You need a pillow under your tummy, one beneath your feet, one behind your back, another one below your bottom, a tiny one to hug. And your hubby wonders, "Am I still a lawful occupant of this king-sized bed?"
You know you are pregnant when...
The restroom becomes your go-to place. When you start wondering whether to 'visit' the restroom or visit the other rooms of the house because of the time you spend there!
You know you are pregnant when...
You become the horniest nymphomaniac on one night and a hardcore genophobic on the next!
You know you are pregnant when...
Everybody around you acquires an overnight qualification of a 'pregnancy expert'. Age, gender and even acquaintance with you no bar!
You know you are pregnant when...
You see the toddler in a mall making his mom's life miserable by throwing his feet up in the air, puffing up his mouth and yelling for another toy car and still you say, "Aww, he is so cute!"
You know you are pregnant when...
It is the only time in your life when getting 'kicked' gives you a 'kick' like no other!
You know you are pregnant when...
One moment you say to your hubby in the sweetest voice, "Thank you for the loveliest gift of my life". And post a hormone surge after twenty seconds, you scream at him, "You did this to me!"
Being pregnant is a whole lot of fun after all! ;)
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
14 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
Is 3.1kg baby at 36 weeks okay?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
14 mins ago
A. It is a very healthy weight in your child is 3 kg already so I would suggest you to have more of veg and non-veg protein whatever you prefer so that the child gain more weight 3 KG is a very good standard Vedane where we actually say that the child is gaining well
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Mom of a Newborn child
11 mins ago
Q. my baby nipple pattukovatledu na milk and formula milk isthunanu na milk saripovatledu baby baga vomit chesukontundi
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
11 mins ago
A. Kindly write the question in English or Hindi so that an expert will be able to interpret the language and the problem more properly and then give you an answer.
Always visit the local docdtor who will guide you regarding your problem.
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
9 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert hi,my name is sachin
me and my wife decided to be parents
four years completed to our marriage
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
7 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Please ask your question clearly and in details so that the experts can understand it properly and guide you accordingly. If we cannot understand the question then we will not be able to answer it correctly and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
8 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert Good Morning Doctor, I hope you are doing excellent!
Which is the best brand for new born baby products like soap, body lotion, powder, wipes, oil, cream, etc.
Safe and good on baby’s body and easy on parents pocket too
Read moreDr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
8 mins ago
A. whenever you are choosing any baby product whether it is baby oil lotion soap powder shampoo or any product, you have to see whether the child is having any allergy after its usage or notx.
so if the child is comfortable you can use it but if the child develops allergy or any other problem then go for another brand.
.
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
7 mins ago
Q. i m new mother of one weeker, my in laws forcing me to give baby bottle is it safe ?
and they try to give her water from when we can give water
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
3 mins ago
A. dear mum, you should not give bottle feeding or water to your baby. you should exclusively breastfeed till 6 months complete. breast milk is most nutritious and complete food for baby till 6 months
Sunita Mahato has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 3 m old child
2 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
good morning sir,
I purvi Vijay Kumar of 27 years old I'm not getting regular period now I have 3 year old girl baby now I want to make 2nd but I am getting regular period so please help me sir.
Sunita Mahato
Mom of 3 children
1 min ago
A. a thorough chk up is needed and then accordingly treatment
follow the doctor...
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Bhavna Sachdeva
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6 mins ago
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Father of a Newborn girl
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