Am I pregnant? Best early detection pregnancy tests
If you’re trying to have a baby, the two-week wait can be agonisingly slow. While it’s advised to wait until your missed period before taking a pregnancy test – it’s easier said than done. That’s where early detection pregnancy tests can come in handy.
So which early detection pregnancy test is the best?
When choosing an early detection pregnancy test (no matter what brand you decide to use), make sure you read the instructions to get an accurate reading.
The Tell Me Baby community has rated the pregnancy tests they have tried. Based on their pregnancy test reviews, these are the top products our community loves. (You can also read pregnancy test comparisons to find the highest rated products.)
3 best early detection pregnancy tests
First Response Early Result In-Stream Pregnancy Test
Winner of its category in the 2020 Tell Me Baby awards, the First Response Early Result In-Stream Pregnancy Test is a go-to for many mums in our community. It can detect low levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG five days before your expected period.
Mums say they love how simple to use this test is and how quickly the results appeared. Importantly, many parents said this test gave them the early positive pregnancy result they were hoping for.
“This was also the first test that told me I was pregnant before my period was due when I was trying to conceive,” one reviewer wrote.
Another said: “These tests picked up my second pregnancy at only 4 weeks along and I have not yet received a false reading from first response.”
“Love this product. It gave us very early results when others didn’t.”
Read First Response Early Result In-Stream Pregnancy Test reviews.
Pregnosis In-Stream Early Pregnancy Test
Another easy-to-use product reviewed by Tell Me Baby parents, Pregnosis In-Stream Early Pregnancy Test can be used before your period is due (7-10 days after conception). Mums who have reviewed this product agree that it’s easy to use and is one of the more affordable options on the market. As for early detection, the results are mixed.
“I took one 2 days before my period was meant to come and it was a hard negative and a day after my period was meant to come and it was hard positive. I think it’s good at being accurate after your period but not before,” said one mum.
Another added: “Unlike other early detection pregnancy tests on the market this one will only show positive from 25/miu compared to 6-10/miu so I found I had to wait until after I was late or just a day or two beforehand for this to show a positive.”
However, another reviewer said it worked for her.
“They were very accurate for me and picked up my pregnancy 2 days before my period was due and as I continued to test the lines got darker.”
Read Pregnosis In-Stream Early Pregnancy Test reviews.
Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test
A popular choice for Tell Me Baby parents, the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test comes with the Smart Dual Sensor™ feature. As well as detecting the presence of the pregnancy hormone, it can also indicate how many weeks it’s been since conception occurred. Although more expensive, parents say they have used this brand for early detection.
“No more guessing if you see a faint line it literally spells it out,” writes one reviewer. “It picked my pregnancy up at 3 weeks and gave a result in a satisfactory amount of time. Very happy with my experience with this test.”
Another wrote: “I was feeling a little unwell, however I thought it was a little early to take a test at 2-3 weeks. Well, this digital test by Clearblue gave me peace of mind and clarified that I was in fact, 2-3 weeks pregnant. Amazing that it can be so accurate before 4 weeks.”
Read Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test reviews.
How pregnancy tests work
Before taking an early detection pregnancy test, it helps to understand how they work, but also why the results can vary.
Pregnancy tests check for a hormone in your urine called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). As your pregnancy progresses, so too does the hCG hormone.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “During early pregnancy, the hCG concentration increases rapidly, doubling every two to three days.”
This is why you could get a negative pregnancy test result one day and a positive the next.
However, some variables can affect the timing of your hormone changes.
“Keep in mind that the timing of your ovulation might vary from month to month, and the fertilised egg can implant in the uterus at different times, says the Mayo Clinic website. “This can affect the timing of hCG production and when it can be detected.”
Always read the label and follow directions for use.
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