Best Pregnancy Tests

Types of pregnancy tests

There are two main types of pregnancy tests: a urine test and a blood test.

Pregnancy tests can detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), produced by the cells surrounding a growing embryo. It’s detecting this pregnancy hormone that’s vital to finding out whether you’re not expecting or not.

A urine pregnancy test is an at-home testing stick that assesses whether or not you’re pregnant. You can take this type of pregnancy test anywhere, at any time, whether it’s in the comfort of your own home in the presence of a loving partner, or a cramped bathroom stall in a shopping centre (or whatever situation life throws at you).

A blood test is performed by a doctor, usually after first taking an at-home pregnancy test. Blood tests can detect lower amounts of HCG, making this method more effective than an at-home pregnancy test. This type of pregnancy test is less convenient than a urine test because booking a blood test involves scheduling an appointment in advance via a health care provider and could potentially mean waiting for an appointment.

When to take a pregnancy test

Generally, it's best to wait until your expected period is around a week late before taking a pregnancy test. The longer you wait, the more accurate the results will be (as long as you don't wait until you start experiencing symptoms like morning sickness).

A pregnancy test will detect whether implantation has occurred. Implantation is when a fertilized egg attaches and implants itself into the lining of the uterine wall.

Implantation occurs nine days after ovulation, which is why you might need to wait a while before receiving an accurate result from a pregnancy test.

However, pregnancy test brands First Response and Clearblue both advise that you can take their pregnancy tests up to 6 days before your missed period and still receive a 99% accurate result.

Results will vary from person to person, and while someone might receive an accurate reading, another will not have yet produced enough of the hormone HCG to know for sure.

If you take a pregnancy test at an early stage, and the result is negative, some medical professionals suggest waiting before taking another one later. You might not have a high enough level of HCG to detect whether you are pregnant or not yet.

How to use a pregnancy test

Taking a pregnancy is a simple and non-intimidating process. According to most pregnancy test providers, the method of taking a pregnancy test can be summed up into three easy steps.

How to read a pregnancy test

The type of stick pregnancy test you purchase will determine how you read the results.

Pregnancy tests also come with a guide to how to use them - there will be a handy pamphlet in the box describing what you need to do and how to use the test.

You can take a pregnancy test at any time of the day, but medical advice provided by professionals have claimed that using your first morning urine, or taking the test in the morning will provide you with the most accurate results.

Some reasons for this include the fact that mornings include the highest concentration of HCG than other times of the day. Your urine also tends to become more diluted throughout the day.

Can a pregnancy test show the wrong result?

Pregnancy test results aren’t 100% accurate and can occasionally show a false-negative result, which is when the test shows up as negative when you actually are in fact pregnant.

This usually happens when your levels of HCG are too low to pick up on. Although false-negatives are common, it’s not as common to receive a false-positive result.

If you receive a result that you’re unsure about, such as a negative result, it’s best to follow up with another pregnancy test, and then confirm with your doctor.

A doctor will be able to perform a blood test, which is much more accurate than a stick test. This is because a doctor can pick up on lower levels of HCG that a pregnancy test might miss. Only a doctor can officially confirm whether you’re pregnant or not.

How to choose a pregnancy test

There aren't any urine pregnancy tests that are considered to be significantly better than others. However, there are still certain things that you can look for while seeking out a pregnancy test.

Choose a popular and well-known brand that is trusted by most. First Response, for example, is an easily accessible brand that is always well-stocked by supermarkets and chemists.

Read through reviews and get an idea of the brands that other women prefer to use. For example, the brand Fertility2Family has garnered a majority of positive reviewers from happy customers.

How much is a pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests are affordable - you can grab one from a chemist or supermarket for under $10. Somewhat ironically, a pregnancy test is more affordable than emergency contraception: also commonly known as the morning-after pill, or plan B (which costs a minimum of $10+).

You can find bulk tests for a reduced price. If you’re not planning on using more than one, it’s also a smart idea to keep an extra one or two close by for later, in case you might need one.

The bottom line

Overall, pregnancy tests are affordable, convenient, and easy to use, making them ideal for seeking clarity and peace of mind from the comfort of your own home.