Babble Best: Pregnancy Tests

The five best sticks to pee on. by Gwynne Watkins

February 12, 2008

Let's face it — no matter what the circumstances, taking a pregnancy test is nerve-racking. So in seeking out the best tests on the market, I went straight for the foolproof "midstream" variety, skipping over anything with multiple steps, droppers or cups. Since I knew I was pregnant almost immediately, I opted for tests that advertised "early detection" — and then waited nearly three weeks for a positive result. (Depending on your hormone levels, you may not see results until the week of your expected period.) Nevertheless, I found five tests that offered clear results, thorough instructions and very little messiness. Here they are. — Gwynne Watkins


ClearBlue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test — 2 for $24

I thought I was in trouble when I peed on the stick and saw the digital display of a flashing hourglass. It looked like a busted LCD watch or Windows program from the mid-90's. And yet, in far less than the one minute they said it would take (maybe thirty seconds?), the mesmerizing flashing hourglass changed to a display that very clearly said "Pregnant." It was so easy! It was so clear! The instructions show the error messages one could possibly get, including a picture of a book that would probably make me throw the test across the room ("Is it pregnant or not pregnant, honey?" "I don't know, it's . . . book."), but which apparently means that you turned the test upside down. If there's blank screen, they give you an 800 number to call. The other digital pregnancy test I tried, EPT Certainty, has a lot more steps and a less clear result.

Buy it from Amazon.

Pregnancy Tests : Runners-up

Fact Plus — 3 for $16

This is the first test that gave me an immediate clear result; it has a cap, a thumb grip and the instructions contain the words "It does not matter if one of the lines that make up the plus symbol is fainter or darker than the other," with three illustrations of pluses at varying lightnesses. This is very comforting when you want absolute certainty and your second line is kind of faint. The Q&A includes best times to test and a question about irregular periods.

Buy it from Amazon.

First Response — 3 for $18

The most authoritative of the two-pink-lines-you're-pregnant tests. I got a very clear, very bold line the day before my expected period; the test is simple, feels sturdy and results show up quickly. First Response also sells an accompanying ovulation kit.

Buy it from Amazon.

EPT — 3 for $14

DO NOT INSERT THE TEST STICK INTO YOUR VAGINA, the instructions warn. Um, check. I also dig the prudish demo illustration of peeing on the stick, which shows only delicate water drops: "It looks like you're supposed to cry on it," says my husband. Like Fact Plus, this is a plus/minus test with an easy-to-read display, thumb grip and convenient cover. Results show up very quickly, with a clear positive or negative.

Buy it from Amazon.

Preferred Plus Pharmacy One-Step Pregnancy Test — 2 for $7

These generic tests seriously all look like they're about to come apart. There's something actually rattling in this one when I shake it. Still, unlike other generic tests, it has a cap to put over the absorbent tip, and a pretty thorough Q&A (although the instructions are a little hysterical in tone, with lots of underlining, bold print and capitalization: "IMPORTANT: ONLY 5 SECONDS and DO NOT read after 10 minutes."). In the end, it's a fairly good replica of Fact Plus or EPT, with the plus sign only slightly blurrier and fainter.

Buy it from Medichest.

©2008 Nerve Media

Discuss this article (2)   |   PRINT THIS ARTICLE  |   EMAIL TO A FRIEND  |     RATE THIS NOW!
+ DIGG  |   + STUMBLE  |     |   + MY YAHOO  |   + GOOGLE  |   RSS
 

About the Author

Related Articles
author bio Gwynne Watkins was Babble's founding Senior Editor. She has written for a variety of web and print publications, and her theatrical work has been produced throughout the New York area. Her new family musical, Tea with Chachaji, will premiere in early 2010.

MORE BABBLE BEST

New This Week