Many women find out they are pregnant by using one of the many home pregnancy tests on the market. These tests measure the quantity of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is the hormone pregnant women produce, in the urine. Most pregnancy tests can be used on or before the first day of a woman's missed period. Some tests are less sensitive than others, however, and may not be accurate until one week has passed since a woman missed her period.
First Response Early Result
According to Consumer Reports, the First Response Early Result pregnancy test is the most accurate, easiest to read, and sensitive test on the market. While most home pregnancy tests will show a positive result if 25 to 100 mUI/ml of hCG (the pregnancy hormone) appears, the First Response Early Result showed a positive result at only 6.5 mUI/ml. The test is easy to read as well, with dark "positive" lines showing with a very small amount of hCG present.
New Choice
The New Choice brand pregnancy tests are available at Dollar Tree stores for $1. At about 1/10 the price of name brand pregnancy tests, these are surprisingly accurate and sensitive. According to the pregnancy test guru at the Pee on a Stick site, New Choice can detect about 25 mUI/ml of hCG. These tests are slightly more complicated to use than a stick-type test, as the user must apply several drops of urine directly to the cassette, but for a dollar, these tests are a great deal and very accurate.
Equate
Walmart's Equate brand pregnancy test is another highly rated home pregnancy test. The Pee On a Stick site states that it will show a positive result at 25 mUI/ml of hCG. These stick tests are easy to use and easy to read.
Pregnancy Test Strips
Your doctor has small strips that he dips into a woman's urine to test for pregnancy. These strips are quite accurate and very inexpensive. You can purchase them online in bulk quantities, but they are not available in stores. Some examples are the Smart Strip and Tests for Less. These tests are great for women who use a lot of pregnancy tests, such as those going through infertility treatment, those with irregular cycles and those who simply prefer to test for pregnancy each month.
