Early Pregnancy Tests

You are a little uneasy. You have missed your period. Now what? Take a test. But which is the best early pregnancy test on the market? Which is   the most reliable? You have enough to think about….and you want to be sure before you tell anyone, whether you are pleased or not with the concept.  All pregnancy tests are NOT created equal. What you need to know about selecting the best early pregnancy test to fit your needs…..

You are a little uneasy. It has been beyond a month since your last period, and you want to be sure about being pregnant before you tell anyone. Despite knowing what you need to do next–take a test–what else should you know?

Not all tests work in the same manner, and some are more reliable than others. Essentially, all are designed to detect an altered level of hormones. The two types of tests that exist gather this information by different methods. One method is a blood test usually administered after a physician orders it. The most popular test can be purchased over the counter at any drug, grocery, or department store and at a minimal cost. Thses involve detection of the HCG, or pregnancy, hormone by testing urine. Urine analysis is generally a cheaper and easier method.

At the store, the options are staggering. One test or two? Which brand? This one claims to be more accurate than that one, but this one detects sooner than the others…. It can all be confusing when there is already enough to think about. All that is needed right now is an answer…so which test is the best option for a reliable and fast response?

One can take an early pregnancy test as soon as a period is missed, but accuracy usually increases when one is a week or two late as opposed to just a few days. As for the best early pregnancy test, all brands seem to claim that title but there is no real way to determine that unless one decides to buy one of each and compare them. Or….do your homework before going to buy one. Log on and read for a few minutes, and the answers are just as certain as a plus or minus.

The best early pregnancy test subject has been taken up by doctors, news media, and consumer research advocates. One web site consulted lists AccuHome and ClearBlue Easy as being two of the best early pregnancy tests that can be purchased. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology backs First Response as the best early pregnancy test available, while Confirm and Clear Choice as the worst. Shape magazine also selects First Response as the best early pregnancy test with ClearBlue Easy as a second pick.

What is important to know, other than the reputations of these available tests, is what they actually do. Any urine-based test available for puchase looks for the presence of HCG hormone in the urine by absorbing some urine onto a test strip. Tests vary in their sensitivity, and the most sensitive ones look for a low level of the hormone. Usually this low measurement is somewhere around 15-25mIU/HCG, which indicates that the person taking the test has not been pregnant for very long. Some available for purchase do not detect hormone levels until they are approximately twice that, which means waiting for a longer time. Sometimes, if taken too early, test results are inaccurate. Many manufacturers recommend buying two, and taking them a few days apart to confirm either a positive or negative result. Reading the sides of most packages will give you this basic information, but should also list information regarding their sensitivity level. One just needs to know what they are looking for on the test’s information disclosure. 

The most reliable best early pregnancy test is most likely that involving blood. Usually, due to cost, it is best to see your physician after a urine test. Although much more accurate and done in a professional setting, the results are not as immediate. It can take more than a day to have an answer instead of just several minutes.  This can be frustrating when seeking an answer, despite your feelings about what happens after you obtain that information.

Before purchasing a test, log on and do a basic internet search for a few minutes. What might take you five or ten minutes might save you money, frustration, and a false result.