The accuracy of the test becomes 99 percent once you have passed the day of your missed period,” Dr. Roelands explains. While some tests say they can work as early as 10 days after unprotected sex, the results aren't very reliable and may not be accurate. "It is better to wait so you do not get discouraged about the results," says Dr. Roelands. If a pregnancy test is sold by a reputable, registered company it doesn’t matter if you opt for the cheaper option or buy in bulk,' explains Marie Louise. 'This maybe a good idea if you are trying or know you have potential difficulty conceiving. Pregnancy tests can be expensive!' What should I do after testing positive? Pregnancy test results are much more accurate if taken once you've missed your period, with most brands estimating about 99 percent accuracy. If you take a test before then, the range might only be around 70 to 75 percent, or even lower in some cases. False positives are rare, but according to Dr. Roelands, some factors that may cause one include testing too early, fertility mediciations that contain hCG or miscarriage. It's also important to note that a chemical pregnancy (which is when an egg implants in the uterine wall but isn't able to develop) or an ectopic pregnancy (when the egg develops outside the uterus) may also lead to positive tests, even if the pregnancy isn't viable.Again, false positives are unusual, but to be absolutely certain, you should schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN following a positive at-home pregnancy test for confirmation. What to look for when choosing a pregnancy test The gold standard of pregnancy tests, the First Response is the one most long-haul TTC’ers use to confirm their pregnancy. Fans say it's more sensitive than other tests, and a 2005 study on over-the-counter pregnancy tests bore this claim out, finding that the First Response Early Result test (or FRER as TTC couples call it) detected HCG at a concentration almost four times lower than other tests. All pregnancy tests measure the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that your body produces when you are pregnant. “Early” pregnancy tests are more sensitive to this hormone, meaning they can be used to detect smaller amounts of pregnancy hormones, earlier than a normal pregnancy test. How accurate are First Response Tests?

After taking a look at the conversation, we understood that the best pregnancy tests are easy to use, offer clear results, and are a good value for the money. We found the tests that met this standard, and compared them against criteria from expert organizations like The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Food and Drug Administration, as well as recommendations from experts like Dr. Tarun Jain.KEY FEATURES• EARLY RESULTS test 6 DAYS before your missed period (5 days before day of expected period)¹ Home pregnancy tests say they're up to or even over 99 percent accurate, however, as The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center notes, these results are based on lab testing results and assume that women are testing at the right time, following every instruction carefully, and interpreting the results flawlessly.

Fast, simple and reliable, the First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test (or 'FRER' as it's more commonly known on Mumsnet) is one brand of pregnancy test which has been highly recommended by Mumsnet users for years for providing the most accurate results. According to midwife Marie Louise, 'Very accurate when taken at the best time. Always do ensure you read the test instructions and result properly. I’ve looked after a few mums who have misread results or taken a test too early, got a false negative and not repeated the test.' Are cheap pregnancy tests accurate?I have had very good experiences with the Easy@Home tests. No evaps, and a line as dark as the control line when my period was due." Mum-of-three Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy care and child play content. Some PBS medications are restricted and require prior approval from Medicare before a doctor is able to prescribe them on the PBS. This prior approval to prescribe grants the doctor the Authority to prescribe the desired medicine and have it funded under the PBS. I buy the Clearblue Digital tests because I find them easy to read...no second guessing or questioning them."

It is recommended you take a pregnancy test on the first day after your period would have been due. If you have irregular periods, you may prefer to instead test around three weeks after you had unprotected sex. The first few weeks of pregnancy are critical to fetal development, so early prenatal care is important for a healthy birth weight and the baby’s survival. The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the sooner you can begin making healthy pregnancy choices for yourself and your baby that include: diet, nutrition and limiting your exposure to hazards. For the most accurate results, it’s best to wait at least until after (a day, ideally the week after) your period was due to start. Before this, there just might not be enough hCG in your urine to be detected on a pregnancy test. Digital pregnancy tests: These tests tend to be the easiest to to use and read, since they clearly display your results in words (i.e. “pregnant” or “not pregnant”), leaving little room for error. The downside? Digital tests tend to be more expensive. Non-digital pregnancy tests: These pregnancy tests show your results in the form of blue or pink lines. Although they tend to be more affordable, they can also be more difficult to decipher if one of the lines is faint. If that’s the case, wait a day or two to take the test again.Although home pregnancy tests work the same way, their features can differ. The main types of pregnancy tests include: The Clearblue Digital test is unusually well-thought-out, which elevates this pregnancy test above competitors. It’s the only test with a smart countdown, which reassures you that the test is working. It also has a wide, absorbent, “no mess” tip with what Clearblue calls "floodguard technology” (in other words, it keeps your pee where it's supposed to be). The digital display leaves no room for interpretation, either (no more line eyes, ladies!). First Response and Modern Fertility can both detect pregnancy up to 6 days before your missed period. However, it’s important to note that the accuracy isn’t as high. It’s still ideal to test after your missed period for the best results. Most at-home pregnancy tests can be up to 99 percent accurate on the day of a missed period. Which week in my cycle should I take a pregnancy test? If you’re not sure when your next period is due, aim to test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex. What other kinds of pregnancy tests are there? First Response Pregnancy Tests are designed to detect traces of pregnancy hormones before other tests can. With an extra-sensitive test strip, the First Response Pregnancy Test is up to 99% effective from the third day before your missed period, meaning you can get your results as early as possible. Alternatives