The most accurate early-pregnancy tests

Shape, May, 2004 by Sharon Cohen

Most over-the-counter home pregnancy tests fail to detect pregnancies in the very earliest stages, according to research by Laurence Cole, Ph.D., of the University of New Mexico and Yale University. In tests of 18 brands, First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test performed best, detecting more than 95 percent of pregnancies on the first day of a missed menstrual period.

Second best--at 80 percent accurate--was Clearblue Easy Earliest Results Pregnancy Test. All brands probably would be accurate a week after a missed period, Cole says. Another way to improve accuracy: Wait 10 minutes for the result as opposed to the one to three minutes recommended.--K.D.