Best Pregnancy Tests
Fertility2Family Ovulation Tests
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Helped me to learn my unique cycle – I purchased multiple packs of LH strips when trying to conceive my first baby. The strips helped me immensely in understanding my cycle, which was… Read more
not quite the standard. It helped pinpoint my LH surge perfectly and I know this because it aligned with blood test tracking when we later moved to ART to conceive. They have always been clear to read and I am yet to receive a faulty strip.
Fertility2Family Pregnancy Tests
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Hcg tests not sensitive at all – I have spent so much money during ttc on these products, the ovulation tests are fairly good but the pregnancy tests didn’t even pick up anything… Read more
until AFTER my period was due yet I had positives on 3 other brands 4 days before my period was due, do not buy the pregnancy tests if you’re wanting early results.
Fertility2Family Basal Ovulation Thermometer
Faulty – Does not work very well. Screen is occasionally glitchy when on button pressed. for example the screen will either display random things and then not… Read more
turn on or just not turn on despite hearing the beep. This is a problem for me as I take my temperature early in the morning (in the dark) and will go straight back to sleep once I have my reading. There have been times where I have been waiting extended periods of time just to realise it has not actually turned on. It also takes quite a long time to record the reading and doesn’t remember temps <36.0C.
Clearblue Easy Digital Ovulation Test
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Choose a different brand – Don’t bother with this product! Im writing this to save women the hassle. Get an easier brand like forelife. I bought forelife first, but only the… Read more
7 day pack. It was so easy to use with no crazy long instructions and wait times. Clear blue has a difficult to use science kit. You end up with pee on your fingers in both methods it suggests.It takes around 10-15mins to get a reading. In the time of writing this, I had 1 strip left in the 10 pack. The battery on the digital reader died. At $26 per pack its still in date for another 2 months, discounted at the chemist. Go get the forelife that is an instant more hygienic no-brainer test.
IntelliGender Gender Prediction Kit
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Fake.. don't buy – Please don't waste your money. It gives fake result and can't trust
Super quick and easy – Super quick and easy to use. No mess or confusing instructions like clearblue. Show details
First Response Early Result Instream
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Gives false positives. Absolute useless, I tried to send in a complaint and it just kept giving me an error.
First Response Pregnancy Planning Kit
Forever Ovulation – Using it for my 2nd month now, and the results are not helpful. Purchased 2x 14 test value pack. In my 2nd cycle now I am using a 2nd brand parallel… Read more
for cross testing. As for 1stRspns Tests, Day 6, really strong result, which is weird. Then it went faint till day 11. (Yes I have a short cycle). But then it stayed strong for the rest of month... supposedly fertile for the entire time. Now in my 2nd cycle testing. Same thing with 1stRespns. Strong line on day 6 and the faint and the strong from day 11 onward everyday. The 2nd brand seems to be much more accurate. No line or faint line till day 11, and then again faint to no line from day 13.
Works just as it should! – The results from my test were accurate given that the minimal hCG level it picks up to give a positive result is 25 mIU/hCG. I tested positive on… Read more
this test at 4w + 3d, which unfortunately ended in an early miscarriage a few days later. This product is very easy to use as long as you follow the instructions properly and lay the test flat after holding in urine for 20 seconds.
I am confident in using this pregnancy test again in conjuction with a blue or pink dye pregnancy test first, then using this test to confirm. The only thing I don't like about this test is that the battery dies within 24 hours of use and thus the results disappear from the digital test. I've heard a few years ago the batteries in the test used to last weeks, it's unfortunate that the battery dies so quickly as it would be great to use for a pregnancy announcement photo later on.
First Response Dip & Read
If I could give zero stars I would. Two boxes and 6 different strips I managed to get a second faint shadow line on each one, and as someone who’s… Read more
endured loss this was a whirlwind. Im assuming they were all indent lines. I wouldn’t recommend these, please if you’re wanting to test early don’t bother with these. If you are pregnant any test is going to show an easily noticeable second line. Next time I won’t bother testing until 10-12DPO to save some heartbreak.
Forelife! Extra One-Step
Not something I will purchase again – I have had a false positive pregnancy test using the pregnancy strips in the box. Confirmed negative on bloods a day later. Very upsetting and won't be purchasing again. the ovulation sticks are hard to interpret. and instructions are not helpful. Show details
First Response Digital Pregnancy Test
False negative – I used the test few days after my missed period. It came up as negative. I took another test from a different brand and it was positive. I also used… Read more
first response non-digital ones and the second line was very fade. My advice, don't rely on this brand. Take tests from other brands as well.
Nuovo Vita Pregnancy Test
Gave me a negative while all others gave positive. Inaccurate
Clearblue Rapid Detection
FALSE POSITIVE – I purchased a 6 pack and 3 of the test gave me a very clear positive. Raced to the hospital straight away as I have suffered ectopic pregnancies… Read more
before and miscarriages so wanted to confirm the pregnancy. They did my bloods straight away and I had a negative hcg (not pregnant) despite distinctly positive 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.
- Remove the cap at the end of the stick.
- Place the absorbent tip directly into the urine stream.
- Wait three minutes. During this time, one or two lines will appear depending on whether you’re pregnant or not.
How to read a pregnancy test
The type of stick pregnancy test you purchase will determine how you read the results.
Non-digital: One line means not pregnant, and two lines means pregnant.
Digital: If you’re concerned about your test showing an ambiguous faded line, consider purchasing a digital test, which will either say ‘pregnant’ or ‘not pregnant’ - doesn’t get more clear than that.
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.
Also important to note:
- Pregnancy tests are single use, so make sure you throw it out once you’re finished with it.
- Pregnancy tests are only to be used externally, do not attempt to use a stick pregnancy internally.
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.
Hi Olivia, Thank you for reaching out in… Read more