How do I prepare and take my Hertility Test?

Before your testing day, make sure you open your kit and lay everything out on a clean, flat surface so it's ready to go. Also you could book yourself onto a free live video call with one of our Customer Care Specialists, the "Get It Right" Blood Draw Call. It's included at no extra cost with every Hertility kit, and it's like having a knowledgeable friend talk you through each step in real time, whether it's your first time or you've had trouble before.

Top tips: 

• Ensure you fast overnight for a minimum of 8 hours before starting.
• Plan to carry out the test first thing in the morning.
• Review the instructions thoroughly, and secure the collection tube in the perforated holder to keep it steady.
• Budget plenty of time for the process (typically 15–20 minutes, but it can take up to an hour).
• Only drink water prior to testing, aiming for roughly 1L during the 30 minutes before your collection, as proper hydration significantly boosts blood flow.
• Warming your hand beforehand by placing it on a mug of hot water or dipping it in a warm bowl can help encourage circulation.

 If you are still struggling to collect your sample, try these tips to help improve your blood flow:

•  Keep your hand positioned below your heart and massage firmly from the base of the wrist down to your fingertips.
•  Choose a fleshy area on your fingertip and clean it thoroughly with the alcohol swab before piercing.
•  Be firm when using the lancet—this manual design provides better control over depth and angle than a button device, leading to a more consistent flow. Remember to wipe away the first droplet of blood.
•  Squeeze gently from the base of your finger rather than right next to the puncture site. Avoid squeezing too hard, as this can cause haemolysis (where red blood cells break down, potentially altering your results).
•  If the blood starts to thicken or stop, move on to prick a different finger.
•  Try 60 seconds of light exercise, such as squats or star jumps, to boost circulation and encourage blood flow.
•  If you have long nails, hold your hand horizontally so the blood can drop directly into the collection tube from underneath.
•  You are welcome to use any of the provided lancets across the index, middle, or ring fingers on either hand, but make sure to test each unique finger only once.

If you can't collect enough blood after 2 lancets, contact Customer Care at @info@hertilityhealth.com  or 0808 801 5860