Whether you’re expecting it or not, a pregnancy can be a very emotional and stressful event. While an ovulation kit can give you an idea when your most fertile days are, you won’t know for certain if you’ve conceived unless you take a pregnancy test.
In this article, we’re going to give you all the basic info on home pregnancy kits; how accurate they are, when you should take them, and which ones will give you results you can count on. So let’s take a peek at what you need to know before buying one yourself!
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FAQ About Home Pregnancy Tests
Q: How Accurate Are Pregnancy Tests?
A: It depends on when you take the test. Even with the best pregnancy test, if you take it too early, you may get inaccurate results. For the best possible results, take it first thing in the morning, and make sure you haven’t been eating too much protein, as this may result in a false positive. Generally, even home pregnancy tests have 90% accuracy or higher, so their results can be very reliable.
Q: When Can I Take A Pregnancy Test?
A: Normally, you should delay taking a test until the week after your first missed period. If you don’t want to wait until then, you should wait at least one to two weeks from the last time you’ve had unprotected sex. Your body needs time to build up detectable hCG levels, and this can take anywhere from seven to 12 days after an egg is fertilised.
Q: What Can Give Me A False Positive?
A: Usually, if your test results are positive, you’re definitely pregnant. However, there are certain factors which can result in a false positive pregnancy test, like a ton of protein in your pee, a dirty urine cup, or medications like fertility drugs which can increase the levels of hCG. The best way to be sure? Take a test again on another day or take a blood test.
Q: Are There Other Ways To Know I’m Pregnant?
A: While home kits have a high level of accuracy, professionals recommend that you take a blood test to be absolutely sure. Blood tests are more sensitive than urine tests and can detect pregnancy as soon as six days after ovulation. You can also detect possible issues like ectopic pregnancies with a blood test, so even if you get a positive result off a home test, we recommend that you visit your OB-Gyn to better care for yourself in the event of a pregnancy.
Q: How Do I Use A Home Pregnancy Test?
A: The first major consideration is timing. As most home pregnancy test kits rely on your pee, it’s best to take it during your first whizz of the day. When an egg is fertilised, you will start producing the hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin, or hCG, which is the hormone that a pregnancy test detects.
While the pregnancy test stereotype in movies portrays someone drinking a ton of fluids and just whizzing on a stick, it’s actually bad to drink too much water before a pregnancy test, as it might dilute the hCG and mess with your results. Some tests also rely on you to pee in a cup and dip the stick there, instead of peeing directly on the test stick. Always read the instructions thoroughly before you start making any conclusions!
The Five Best Home Pregnancy Tests In Australia
If you’re looking for reliable home pregnancy tests in Australia, Coles and Priceline stock these five effective early pregnancy tests. While many pregnancy tests are best taken the day after your first missed period, some of these options on the list can give you much earlier results.
5. Pregnosis Early Detection Dip & Read
This test can give you accurate results as soon as the first day after your missed period. In as little as three minutes after you’ve taken this test, you’ll know right away whether you’re pregnant or not. Lab tests have shown that this Pregnosis test is 99% accurate, so you can count on this as one of the best early pregnancy test kits you can try!
4. Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test
This digital test not only gives you a definite yes or no, but it’s also going to tell you that it’s working and that the results are coming! Clearblue’s test stick comes with a hygienic cap. The stick will count down to the results with you, and the test’s Floodguard tech keeps excess pee from flooding the device and messing with the detected levels.
3. First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test
The earlier you know, the better! This pregnancy test detects all forms of the pregnancy hormone as early as possible, and it can give you results as accurate as 99% even three days before your period. In only three minutes, you can find out if you’re expecting! Just check the large window for those two lines.
2. Clearblue Pregnancy Test Early Detection
Waiting to know if you’re pregnant or not can be tough, so the Clearblue Early Detection test is a lifesaver. Six days before your period is more than enough time to prepare, and with its easy to read results, you’ll know without a doubt whether you’re expecting or not! Two lines means you’re pregnant, one line means you’re not – it’s that simple!
1. First Response Digital Pregnancy Test
This digital test is designed to detect hCG as early as six days before your first period. It’s sensitive enough to test positive, even with trace amounts of the hormone in your body. It comes with a ‘Test Is Working’ indicator to let you know that it’s ready to use, and has easy to read YES/NO results that come out in only three minutes!
Early Detection Is Key For Excellent Prenatal Care
A home pregnancy test can tell you ahead if you’re expecting, and by knowing ahead of time, you’ll be able to take better care of yourself and decide what you’re going to do.
No matter what results you’re hoping for, it’s best to bite the bullet and find out as soon as you can so you end the stress and anticipation of waiting. If you think you might be pregnant, don’t leave it to chance, just step out to your nearest grocery or pharmacy, get a kit, and start testing ASAP!
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