What should I do to prepare for my sample collection?

First, get clear on the best practice when collecting a sample by watching our ‘how to video’ here. 

Next, before your testing day, make sure you open your testing kit and check all of the contents you need are there! If anything is missing or you have any questions, please reach out to our Customer Care team.

Here are some of our top tips for collecting your sample:

1. Allow yourself plenty of time - It might take you a little longer than you expect, this could be anything from 15-60 minutes. 
2. Hydrate well the day before and drink a couple of glasses of water the morning of the test.
3. Set everything out and make sure you’ve read the instructions. Place the tube in the perforated holder in the box for stability. 
4. A hot shower just before can help to increase your core temperature and improve your circulation. Keep a bowl of warm water next to you during the test to warm your fingers in between. 

Still struggling?:

1. Keeping your hand lower than your heart, massage firmly from the base of your wrist to push the blood into your fingertips.
2. Pick a fleshy bit of your fingertip to test and clean it thoroughly with the alcohol swab. 
3. Be firm with the lancet to ensure a good puncture site, this can really help the blood to flow. Don’t forget to wipe away the first droplet! 
4. Squeeze from the base of your finger to encourage the droplets to form. Please don't squeeze next to the puncture site as this can damage the blood vessels and we won’t be able to test your sample.
5. Prick another finger if the blood becomes thick and stops flowing on the first! Pop a plaster on to prevent any mess! 
6. If the blood stops flowing, try 60 seconds of exercise if you are able to, something like star jumps or squats to get the blood pumping around your body!
7. If you have long nails try keeping your hand horizontal and allow the blood to drop into the tube from underneath so you avoid the nail area entirely, don't scrape it along the lip of the tube but you can encourage it in by gently dabbing it.
8. You can use all the lancets provided on your index, middle or ring finger on either hand. Please only test each finger once. 

Please make sure you label your sample correctly and then pop it in the post back to the lab!

If you can’t collect enough blood after using 2 lancets, please contact our Customer Care Team at info@hertilityhealth.com or call 0808 501 5860 and we’ll do our best to help!