Do you think you might be pregnant? There’s only one way to find out: take a pregnancy test! There are so many different tests to choose from, however, and at around $6-$10 each, it can get expensive. I’ve been down that road and I know that pregnancy tests are not unlike Pringles; you can’t just take one. Here is price comparison featuring popular tests you might find at your local drug store. (All prices are from Walgreens.com.)
Accu-Clear / Type: line / Price: about $4.99 per test / hcG Sensitivity: 50mIU
Clearblue Easy Digital / Type: digital / Price: about $6.66 per test / hcG Sensitivity: 50mIU
First Response Rapid Results / Type: line / Price: about $4.99 per test / hcG Sensitivity: 15-25mIU
Fact Plus One Step (with blue lines) / Type: +/- / Price: about $5.99 per test / hcG Sensitivity: 25mIU
Notice I included the hcG levels each test detects as noted by the manufacture. Actual test sensitivity may vary, even between tests of the same brand. The difference is so insignificant, however, and the importance that many women place on the test sensitivity is unwarranted. Ultimately, all tests will come up with a positive result within a day of each other if you are truly pregnant, considering your levels can double or even triple in a 24 hour period in the beginning of your pregnancy. If your test comes up negative and you still believe you are pregnant, test again the next day or a few days later.
I also want to point out that digital tests are NOT any more accurate than a line test – their only advantage is they do not give you the option of scrutinizing the strip for a faded line that isn’t there, unless, of course, you rip open the test and look at it.
In my humble opinion, I think your best option is to skip the drug store altogether and visit the Dollar Tree. There they have pregnancy tests that feature a little white cartridge and a dropper. You must pee in a cup first and then use the dropper to place four drops of urine in the well of the cartridge. Within a few minutes you’ll have your result in the form of a line (or 2, if you are pregnant). And yes, even though it’s not that important, the test is generally just as sensitive, if not more, than all of your more expensive pregnancy tests. I can speak from experience that they work, because it was a Dollar Tree test that told me I was pregnant just ten days past ovulation. That’s “four days sooner!” as the HPT companies like to say. Another more expensive test confirmed it the next day – proving the DT test was accurate. Interestingly enough, the DT test had a darker pink line than the more expensive test, indicating it might have been a little more sensitive.
New Choice (Dollar Tree) / Type: line / Price: $1 per test / hcG Sensitivity: 20mIU
Think of all the money you could save by switching to these cheap $1 tests. No, they are not as pretty or flashy as the digital tests, but do you really care? (If you do, that’s okay.)