Which is the best test?
You don't need to go to the GP for a test but, unfortunately, you do need to do something a bit more scientific than an online one or a pregnancy quiz. Over-the-counter tests are pretty accurate these days, but they do differ slightly in terms of how they work, how they display results and how sensitive they are – and therefore how soon you can use them. Here's the lowdown on some of the most popular tests:
Clearblue digital pregnancy test
Clearblue claims 99% accuracy across all its products and offers a range of different tests to choose from, depending on what you're after. If you like a bit of 'data', the Clearblue Digital With Weeks Indicator tells you in words if you are “pregnant” or “not pregnant” as well as how many weeks you are. It can be done up to five days before your period is due.
The Clearblue Early Detection test can be done up to six days before a missed period if you're feeling impatient. And, if you're the sort who likes your result with a bit of a drumroll, you could try Clearblue's Digital Test With Countdown for a Nasa-style 10 to zero to your result in words.
The company also does two tests with a colour-change tip so you can be sure you've hit the spot, as well as a 'rapid results' test for the super impatient.
First Response pregnancy test
The First Response Early Results test allows you to test up to six days before your missed period. Like the Clearblue products, it promises 99% accuracy from the expected day of your period. There's also a First Response Rapid Results test that will tell you whether you're expecting in less than a minute. (That's the results you'll get in less than a minute, not the baby, to be clear. No test is that clever.)
Asda pregnancy test
Asda's own home test can be done up to four days before your period is due and also promises 99% accuracy on the day of your period – accuracy will be lower before. It doesn't have any fancy bells and whistles but retails at a much more wallet-friendly price, so if you're the sort to want to do 20 tests, just to be Absolutely Sure, you can indulge that need.
Boots pregnancy test
Boots do a digital test that tells you clearly (using words) if you are pregnant or not. It delivers results in three minutes and is 99% accurate on the day your period is due. It can also be done up to four days in advance but is less sensitive than the more expensive branded products so, when done early, is slightly less likely to give a positive result even if you are pregnant.
However, there is also a Boots Five Days Early test which, as the name suggests, can be used five days early for more accurate results. This one's results are displayed using two lines for pregnant and one line for not pregnant.
Tesco pregnancy test
There's a no-nonsense, at-least-99%-accurate Tesco test that gives you a result in one minute. There's also a (more expensive) digital version that uses words to give the result, for those who don't like squinting at pink lines.
Superdrug pregnancy test
Superdrug has a whole range of tests, starting at jaw-droppingly bargainous prices, that are still over 99% accurate, and great for if you want to check, check, and check again. If you're looking for something with more bells and whistles, there's a slightly costlier version that detects pregnancy earlier.
Clear & Simple Digital Pregnancy Tests recalled
The manufacturers of Clear & Simple Digital Pregnancy Tests are asking customers to check their lot number after some tests have returned inaccurate results. Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech is recalling one lot of faulty pregnancy tests after they produced a small number of false positive results.
While only one lot is affected, the manufacturer estimates this amounts to more than 58,000 tests in the UK. If you've purchased an affected test, you should use an alternative testing method and return any affected Clear & Simple tests to their pharmacy or shop. The affected lot number, which can be found on the end of the box and is printed on the sachet, is DM10220170710E, and the expiry date is January 2020.
Dr Duncan McPherson, MHRA’s Clinical Director of Medical Devices, said:
“It is important people check the lot number of any Clear & Simple Digital Pregnancy Tests they have purchased to see if they have a product from an affected lot.
“If you have any questions about using digital pregnancy tests, please speak to your healthcare professional.
“Patient safety is our highest priority. We strongly encourage anyone to report any issues with this product, or more generally with any medical device, to our Yellow Card Scheme.”
How do you take a pregnancy test?
Most over-the-counter tests contain one or two sticks. You pee on the stick, and the result (positive or negative) appears after several minutes. Read the instructions carefully, because different manufacturers' tests vary slightly, but it usually involves reading one or more lines. If you're feeling particularly flustered, you can always go for the fancypants digital type that says “pregnant” or “not pregnant”, so there's no chance of you misinterpreting the lines.
It used to be that you had to test the urine from your first wee of the day, but now you can use urine collected at any time. If you're doing an early test, however, don't drink tonnes of water beforehand as you don't want your urine to be too diluted.
If you think you might have trouble weeing directly on the stick (and let's face it, we don't all have perfect aim), you can always wee into a clean cup and dip the stick into it for a few seconds.
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