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Home Pregnancy Tests: Here's the 411
November 25, 2008 at 3:52 PM by Cafe Melisa - Comments (6)
When you think you might be pregnant, the desire to take the test already and find out is intense -- and a lot of potential baby mamas-to-be around here are talking about it. When to test, which test to use, how accurate the results are. Here's some basic info on test day.
When to test is a biggie. According to the Mayo Clinic, as tempting as it might be to test early, it's better to wait until after you've missed your period -- testing too early can sometimes yield inaccurate results (most likely a false-negative), as some women develop detectable amounts of pregnancy hormones later than others. (That said, some mamas do take their chances and test early.)
Are they accurate? According to the American Pregnancy Association, home pregnancy tests are about 97% accurate if performed correctly. And again, waiting to test will make the results more reliable.
Which test should you take? GoneHollywood wondered if the inexpensive tests at the dollar store worked as well as the more expensive varieties found in drug stores -- moms shared differing stories. Some found they were accurate; others said they didn't get the most reliable results and in the end they bought a spendier test to find out the news.
Parents.com has a slide show on popular pregnancy tests and how to use them -- if you're looking for proof beyond the test, consider these symptoms of early pregnancy:
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
- Slight bleeding or cramping
- Nausea
- Headaches
If you've missed your period, if you've tested and gotten a positive (or two or three), and if you're experiencing any of the symptoms above, it's time to call your doc for a blood test.
What about you? How soon did you test and what test did you use? Were the results accurate the first time?
FILED UNDER: 1st trimester, pregnancy signs, trying to conceive
Comments:
I've done some research on the actual levels of HcG that can be detected by different tests and the Dollar Store test can detect levels as low as 20miu which is just as good as some of the pricey ones - and sometime better.
http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hpt.html This link gives a really good breakdown for comparison.
PS. I've used the gamut of them with my 3 pregnancies and the dollar tree was the cheapest most reliable. I've always tested about 1-2 weeks after my missed period.
I think I used First Response...two pink lines? I guess I don't remember exactly which it was, but I won't use it again! Yes, they gave me the right answers, but the lines leave too much room for debate!
I wanted to wait until I was done working for the week, so I tested on a Friday morning (my period should have started that Tuesday). I was pretty sure it would be positive, though I kept telling myself it wouldn't...what a fun surprise!
I knew right away I was pregnant the first 3 times but didn't know this time I found I was pregnant my hubby told me that I was and I didn't believe him I had NO symptoms at all but I was 7 days late . I tested just to make sure and yep it came up postive the second I peed on it !! I am now 7 weeks and I still have NO sypmtoms all but really tired.
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I have only taken pregnancy test twice in my life and i have been pregant two of those the other was wishfull thinking. I used Clear blue Easy Digital. I wasn't too pricey and it read pregnant or not pregnant. I know that they all say wait three minutes but if your pregnant it shouldnt take that long! I always waited till long after my period though at least a week and even though I am not and have never been regular I alwyas just know when I am pregnant with or without a test!
joyfullem Nov. 25, 2008 at 4:07 PM