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Which Pregnancy Tests Are Best?
Author: Heather Slee
Home pregnancy tests all strive to do the same thing: use monoclonal antibodies to detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. What makes a test better or worse is its sensitivity and ease of use.
The more sensitive a test, the more it will be able to detect early pregnancies, where there may be a lower amount of hCG present in the urine. Home pregnancy tests don’t usually result in a false-positive. Nearly every time there is an inaccurate reading is due to the sensitivity of the test.
The easier the test is to use and read makes for less human error, and also makes testing less irritating for women. One of the most common complaints, for example, is that the person testing can’t tell if the line appeared or didn’t appear. How frustrating—and what a waste of time!
So, out of the million tests on the market, which one do you buy? Consumer Reports concluded after testing 18 different brands that First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test is the best. It received an “excellent” score in sensitivity, meaning it can detect an early pregnancy when there is a small amount of hCG, and “good” in ease of use, which includes how easy it is to read the results. First Response is around $18.00 for a 2-test pack.
If you want to eliminate the stress of debating the appearance of a line, you can also use a digital home pregnancy test, which clearly states “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” Consumer Search compiled customer reviews of numerous home pregnancy tests and determined the highest rated digital pregnancy test was Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test. This test is not as sensitive as First Response, but it will take the guesswork out of reading the test. You just need to wait a few more days after your missed period to receive an accurate result. This brand costs around $16.00 for two, and you can occasionally find a pack with a bonus test promotion.
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