Which Pregnancy Test Should You Buy?

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Whether you are hoping for a positive test this month, or sweating the wait for a negative test, you need an accurate and reliable pregnancy test. We’ve all been there.

So which test do you pick? There’s so many to choose from. Analysis paralysis time… Why so many? Are they actually different? Are they accurate? The questions go on and on…

Here are our answers!

OUR CHOICE IS FIRST RESPONSE

First Response is the brand that my wife and I used with both of our kids. We had strong positives with both kids and no duds. Just accurate results quickly. As of this writing, they hover around $15, so reasonably affordable.

So How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

They produce results by detected hCG in urine. This hormone is one of several that are produced during pregnancy. The amount produced increases throughout pregnancy, with a certain amount being passed in urine.

When Should I Take a Test?

That is going to depend on when you are trying to test. Early detection tests need enough hormones in the urine to detect them. So testing first thing in the morning is best for accurate results. As you move along in your pregnancy, it becomes easier to detect those hormones. After about six weeks, there’s enough hCG to test at any time of the day.

How Accurate Are Tests?

According to this research paper, First Response detected 95% of pregnancies. Clearblue managed to get 80%. Other brands didn’t do so well…

False negatives are definitely a possibility as tests are only has good as the sample they have to work with. If the amount of hCG in the urine sample is too low, it simply won’t detect it. Conversely, false positives are also possible but rare. Pregnancy tests will not produce a false positive without hCG being present, but it is possible for your body to produce hCG without being pregnant. Women under 40 generally do not need to worry about this being a possibility.