There are two basic types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood. “For urine, the highest concentration is found in the first-morning void,” says Dr. Gaither. “For blood, the specimen is sent to the lab where the amount of hCG is determined.” While urine pregnancy tests can happen at home, they also occur at the doctor’s office. You may see pregnancy tests called HPTs (which stands for home pregnancy tests), and they all use urine to detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG, a hormone which starts appearing in your pee when you're expecting. Generally speaking, as the levels of the pregnancy hCG hormone rise every two or three days during pregnancy, a pregnancy test will be more accurate the later you leave it after having unprotected sex. Yes, sometimes it’s too early for the test to detect the pregnancy hormones. “If you test before your expected period or if you do not use your first urine of the day for the test, you will most likely get a negative result,” Dr. Langdon says. “It does not imply that you are not pregnant; rather, it indicates that there is insufficient hCG in your system to be detected in your urine. Your hCG levels will rise over time as your little one grows.” Additionally, there are some key differences that can make one test a better choice for you than another. To help you make your choice, we’ve selected our top home pregnancy test options based on:

With something as vital as your family planning at stake, we know that recommending the best and easiest to use pregnancy tests is important. So we started our search on BabyCenter's Community, where expecting, trying to conceive (a.k.a. "TTC"), and new moms and dads trade recommendations on the pregnancy tests that worked for them, as well as those that fell short. 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. If you can't spend the money on a home pregnancy test, there are also places to get free pregnancy tests. Be sure you know who is doing the test and their credentials and motives for testing.While the above study was conducted in 2011, it’s the most recent research to compare mainstream tests. It’s important to consider that some brands may have changed their technology since. What the pros said KEY FEATURES• EARLY RESULTS test 6 DAYS before your missed period (5 days before day of expected period)¹ There’s nothing quite as anxiety inducing as that three- to five-minute wait while taking a pregnancy test. Regardless if it’s positive or negative (and whichever one you're hoping for), one thing remains the same: You want to trust the results you see. You get results in three minutes and with First Response's new EasyRead app, you can scan and confirm your test to see the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant" if the lines aren't crystal clear to you, or you feel unsure about your results.

hCG levels begin to rise a few days before your expected period, but sufficient levels are usually detected in your urine a day after a missed period,” says Dr. Langdon. “The most sensitive urine test kit is most likely to read positive about five days before your expected period. However, the chances of hCG detection are higher a day after a missed period.” It’s not fun to play the guessing game at what is likely already an emotional time. That’s why the Clearblue Digital pregnancy test can be super helpful. It has a flashing countdown timer so that you know exactly when it’s ready to read, and it spells your results out in words rather than lines. Depending on your plans for your pregnancy you will need to take different routes. If a positive test is good news you need to book an appointment with a midwife between 8-10 weeks going by your LMP (last menstrual period). If you’re not sure you can simply self refer to your local midwifery services or call your GP for further information. How early can you use it? - The most sensitive pregnancy tests such as First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test can detect 10mIU/ml and some of these can be used before your period is due. It's worth noting, however, that the NHS recommends taking a pregnancy test from the first day of a missed period or at least 21 days after having unprotected sex. A blood test can only be done by a healthcare provider. “Blood tests are to be performed in the doctor’s office, more expensive, have a wait time before results are gained, [and are] less convenient. They can, however, detect a lower concentration of hCG,” says Dr. Gaither. “The difference between at-home tests is the level of sensitivity. They are readily accessible, inexpensive, easy to use, with rapid results.”

When can I test with FIRST RESPONSE™ Early Result Pregnancy Test?

The FDA regulates home pregnancy tests, and both expensive and cheaper tests must meet the same requirements. So you can draw your own conclusions on whether the more expensive tests are worth it when it comes to accuracy of test results. As the FDA puts it, "Most pregnancy tests have about the same ability to detect HCG, but their ability to show whether or not you are pregnant depends on how much HCG you are producing." 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? On that last note, Dr. Jain says that the digital versions are a fancier and more clear-cut way to read the results, opposed to reading a line, which may leave room for interpretation if you take the test too early. So you may want to choose easy-to-read digital tests or cheaper tests which provide results in the form of lines, according to your preference. Note that digital tests tend to be less sensitive than tests with lines you read, though, so you typically have to wait longer to take them. Test strips will have either two parallel lines like the Wondfo Fertility Combination Testsor a plus sign to indicate a positive pregnancy result. Negative results are usually indicated by one vertical line (instead of two lines) or a negative sign (instead of a plus sign). It is important that you thoroughly read the instructions to understand how to interpret the test. In addition, be sure to read the pregnancy test within the designated time frame to avoid false results due to evaporation lines. Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or wondering if your missed period could mean something more, waiting to find out if you’re pregnant can be a hopeful, anxious or exciting time — and maybe a combination of all three. That’s when you’ll want a reliable, easy-to-decipher pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG), in your urine. This hormone starts to be produced around six days after fertilisation.Mum-of-three Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy care and child play content.