1. Before using the First Response predictor kit, the patient should first read the leaflet inside the box.
2. The patient should know the length of her normal menstrual cycle before using this kit to determine what day she should begin testing. The package insert says that for a woman whose cycle is 23-32 days long should begin testing on the eleventh day of her cycle (day one is the first day of menstrual bleeding). A woman whose cycle is 22 days or shorter should begin testing on the seventh day of the cycle. If a woman's cycle is 33 days or longer, she should begin testing on the seventeenth day of her cycle using the First Response test kit.
3. A clock or timer will be needed to complete this test so one should be near at hand when the patient begins the test.
4. First morning urine is needed for accurate use of the First Response test kit. Also, it is best if the patient has not urinated for four hours prior to use of the test (if she goes to the bathroom at night, she may have to wait a while before urinating after waking in the morning). If the patient does not have time to perform the test immediately, first morning urine can be collected and refrigerated for up to 3 hours. If she refrigerates her sample, she should let it warm to room temperature by letting it sit out for about 30 minutes.
5. Since a color change is the indication of the LH surge, if the patient is color-blind someone else may have to read the test.
6. The patient should check that the test kit is still within its expiration date by checking the date on the box.
7. This kit is meant to be used as an aid in determining when the best time is to conceive. It is not supposed to be used as a means of contraception.
8. Some medications may interfere with the test results. For more information about these, see Interpreting the Results.
