Urine pregnancy tests vary in their ability to detect the presence of hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin, the hormone produced by a woman's body shortly after implantation of a fertilized egg. For the most accurate pregnancy test results, choose a reliable brand that is within its expiration date, follow the package instructions carefully and wait until at least the day of your missed period for testing; waiting for one week after your missed period will produce more reliable test results.
First Response Early Result
The First Response Early Result pregnancy test is sensitive enough to the presence of hCG that it can successfully diagnose more than 95 percent of pregnancies on the day a woman misses her period, according to a 2005 study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. In a 2003 television appearance, Nancy Metcalf, senior editor of Consumer Reports, said independent laboratory testing had found the First Response Early Result test the most sensitive and reliable of the 18 brands tested by Consumer Reports.
Clear Blue Easy Earliest Results
The Clear Blue Easy Earliest Results test was identified as the second most sensitive urine pregnancy test in the 2005 study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. This pregnancy test can successfully diagnose 80 percent of pregnancies on the day a woman misses her period. Similar to First Response, Clear Blue Easy makes several different pregnancy tests.
All Others
According to the 2005 Journal of the American Pharmacists Association study and Consumer Reports, all other pregnancy tests they investigated were unable to accurately diagnose more than 20 percent of pregnancies on the day of a woman's missed period. The accuracy of urine pregnancy tests increases one to two weeks after a woman's first missed period.
References
- Journal of the American Pharmacists Association; Sensitivity of Over-the-counter Pregnancy Tests: Comparison of Utility and Marketing Messages; L. A. Cole et al; September-October 2005
- CBS News.com: The Best Pregnancy Tests: Consumer Reports Looks At Tests And Ovulation Kits; Tatiana Morales; January 2003
