Pregnancy Test Kit: A Guide to Knowing You're Pregnant

A pregnancy test kit detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is present in your urine if you are pregnant. It will usually be able to detect hCG between the fourth and fifth week of your pregnancy, depending on the sensitivity of the test kit. Therefore, if you have a regular menstrual cycle, you will be able to test if you are pregnant when you miss your period by a few days. 

When should I use a pregnancy test kit?

The best time to take a pregnancy test is the first day after your missed period, if your menstrual cycle is regular.

You can also take the test approximately six days after your ovulation if you are expecting to be pregnant.

On the other hand, you can look out for other symptoms during early pregnancy such as more fatigue, light headedness, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, light vaginal bleeding, and many more. 

It is also advisable to take the test during your first pee in the morning as it is usually the most concentrated and will have more hCG, which will give you a more accurate result when you take your pregnancy test. 

How to use a pregnancy test kit? 

Usually, a home-based pregnancy test kit will involve peeing on a stick, or peeing in a cup and using a dropper to drop it onto the test kit.

Then, wait for 3-5 minutes for the results, where a single line will show that you are not pregnant, and a double line will show that you are pregnant.

However, each test kit is different and you should read the instructions written on the test kit before taking the test. 

How to choose the best pregnancy test kit?

There are various kinds of pregnancy test kits, such as test strips, sticks, and use of droppers. When choosing a pregnancy test kit, you should consider your preferred method of testing.

The type of test kit you buy can also be dependent on the quantity that it comes in, where if you are trying for a baby and expect to take the test a few times over the year, the economical choice would be to buy test kits in bulk.

Additionally, whether the test kit is within your budget is also an important consideration to make.

Lastly, it would be good to check on the customer reviews of each test kit to ensure that the test kit you are choosing is reliable. 

6 pregnancy test kits you can try at home

Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test

Best for fast results

Looking for a quick and easy test? Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test is the one for you! It can give you your result within 1 minute of peeing on the stick, and it is designed tactfully with an easy-to-grip curved handle that makes your testing experience slightly more comfortable.

Moreover, the tip, where your pee will go, will turn from pink to white as an indication for when urine is being absorbed.

With the integrated Floodguard Technology, it also prevents user error. Especially since it comes in a packet of two, if you failed to get a result on the first try, you can still try again on the second test kit! The results are given as a ‘-’ or a ‘+’.

However, these test kits can be slightly more costly.

Features we love: 

• Results can be read in 1 minute.
• Wide 18mm tip reduces testing error.
• Easy to read results.
• Over 99% accurate.
• Designed with a Floodgate Technology.
• Comes in packets of 2s.

First Response Early Pregnancy Test Kit

Best for early detection and reassurance

The First Response Early Pregnancy Test Kit is one of the more popular test kits in the market. This test kit can be used up to six days before your missed period, and you will receive the results within three minutes of peeing on the stick.

What’s more, this test kit is accompanied with an EasyRead app, which gives you a word display method on the obtained test results, for greater reassurance.

The test kit alone will show the result in the form of a single or double line. While there are some who reviewed receiving false positives, this is a risk that comes with all pregnancy test kits.

It also comes with an ergonomically designed handle for easy holding to prevent you from dropping it! 

Features we love: 

• Over 99% accuracy.
• Early detection. 
• Double check results with the online app.
• Results can be read in 3 minutes.
• Comes in packets of 2s.

ClearBlue Digital Pregnancy Test

Best for easy-to-read results

The ClearBlue Digital Pregnancy Test is one of the easiest pregnancy test kits to read from.

As the display window will indicate “Pregnant" or “Not pregnant", this makes it extremely easy to read the results, and you do not have to squint at the test kit to check if there is a hint of a double line, like the other test kits.

Additionally, there is a countdown function which will reassure you that the test kit is working, and the results will usually appear within 1-3 minutes.

The ClearBlue Digital Pregnancy Test also comes with Floodgate Technology, which helps women use the test correctly.

The downside of this digital test kit is that it may not last more than 6 months, and hence, it cannot be kept as a souvenir for sentimental parents out there, and it can be slightly more costly. 

Features we love: 

• Unique countdown feature when results are ready.
• Wide 18mm tip reduces testing error.
• Extremely easy to read word results.
• Designed with a Floodgate Technology.
• Comes in packet of 1.

ClinicalGuard HCG Pregnancy Test Strip

Best for multiple pregnancy tests

If you are trying for a child and expect to take the test multiple times, the ClinicalGuard HCG Pregnancy Test Strip is perfect for you!

It comes in a pack of 25 or 100 test strips, each individually packaged, and it is easy to use as you just need to dip the strip into your cup of pee and wait for five minutes before the results will appear.

However, it could be slightly more troublesome since you would have to use a cup, and the lines are not as easy to read.

On the other hand, this test strip is definitely the more affordable option for you to consider if you are trying! 

Features we love: 

• Easy to carry around.
• Very affordable.
• Comes with 100 test kits.

Clear and Simple Pregnancy Test Kits

Most affordable once-off pregnancy test 

Looking for cheaper alternatives for a once-off pregnancy test? The Clear and Simple Pregnancy Test Kit is the one for you!

Although the pregnancy test kit requires you to pee on a stick for 10 seconds which can be quite long, it still does the job of giving you your pregnancy test results.

The results can also be read within five minutes! It also allows you to read results as early as 4 days before the start date of your period.

Features we love: 

• Affordable. 
• Easy to use as it does not require a cup.
• Comes in a packet of 1.

Watsons’ One Step Pregnancy Cassette

Best for beginners

If you are not interested to pee on a stick for fear of aiming incorrectly and thereby attaining faulty results, this affordable yet easy-to-use test kit is great for you!

Not only do they provide the cup, dropper and cassette in the same packet, it is also very straightforward to use.

Much like how we test for COVID-19 at home, the procedure of using the dropper on the test kit is similar.

Moreover, it comes in a packet of two just in case the first test comes up blank. The Watsons’ One Step Pregnancy Cassette is also easily accessible as you can find this in any nearby Watsons shop.

Features we love: 

• Affordable.
• Cup, dropper and test kit all come in the packet.
• Easy to find in physical Watson stores.

Price Comparison Table

Now that you have read some reviews for the pregnancy test kits that we recommend, here is a comparison of the prices of each test kit. 

Note: Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.

How to Deal with a Positive Pregnancy Test Kit

Testing for a positive pregnancy can either be a nerve-wracking experience, if you are not expecting to have one, or it could be a very joyous occasion.

As such, your emotions may overwhelm you and therefore, it is important to know how to deal with these emotions.

Firstly, you may want to confirm the results by taking the test once more since there are instances of false positives. Once confirmed, it is best to visit the doctor for a professional point of view. 

Emotionally, you could take some time to yourself to digest the information and handle your emotions before telling your loved ones.

Next, it is important to adopt healthy habits, such as changing your diet to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and many more.

On top of that, consuming prenatal vitamins as well as eliminating smoking and drinking entirely are crucial.

You should also change your exercise routine to a moderate intensity exercise instead and ensure not to tire yourself out. 

Prepare your pregnancy journey with us. Check out our pregnancy-recommended products to help you in this wonderful journey: Guide to Pregnancy, Baby, and Parenting