Who has ever been calm when taking a pregnancy test? Pregnancy tests are fraught with anxiety. When I was younger, I was petrified that I might actually be pregnant. I would pray that the little blue line would not appear on the pregnancy test. It seemed to me that my whole future depended on the appearance or non-appearance of that line – how would I cope? What would my parents say? How would my boyfriend feel?
A few years passed and circumstances changed. Hubbie and I started trying for a baby. Suddenly, I was praying with all my heart for the little blue line to appear. But it wasn’t that easy after all and months passed … still no blue line. As anyone with fertility problems will tell you, so much depends on whether or not that blue line appears. All your hopes and dreams rest upon it. Finally, finally … it happened though! The blue line appeared and I’m now nearly 5 months pregnant.
During our many months of trying to get pregnant, I got very familiar with the various pregnancy tests on the market. In this review, I’m going to talk about First Response – a test that failed me when it most mattered with (as yet) unknown consequences.
++ WHY FIRST RESPONSE? ++
First Response is so-called because it claims to be able to tell you if you are pregnant up to three days before your expected period. Most other pregnancy tests have to be done after your due date. Theoretically then, if you are desperate to know if you are pregnant, this test should be able to tell you before any others.
It works by testing for the pregnancy hormone, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine. Most pregnant women have enough hGH in their urine as early as 3 days before you start your period.
++ BUT DOES IT WORK? ++
My experience is that it does not work. My periods are regular as clockwork, so according to the marketing, this test should give me an answer 2-3 days before I am due. It definitely should have given me an answer 3 days afterwards.
My pregnancy story is as follows … a few months ago I was flying overseas to visit relatives. I wanted an early answer if I was pregnant or not, because I am a nervous flyer and usually take valium to calm my nerves. I was also planning on a boozy time with relatives. Of course, I would never take the valium or the alcohol if I knew I was pregnant. So, I did the test and it came back negative (not pregnant). I tried it again 2 days later (same result). Even a week later, I tried it, but still it said I was not pregnant.
I started feeling early signs of pregnancy and because I was late, I decided to try another brand of pregnancy test. This showed that I WAS pregnant! So, of course, I was totally confused. I did several more tests with other brands, all of which said I was pregnant. This was confirmed by my doctor! As I’m typing this, my waistline is ever-expanding and the alien is kicking, so I know that I definitely am.
++ HOW TO USE ++
(1) Remove test stick from wrapper and take off the cap (2) Holding the test stick by the thumb grip. The absorbent tip should point downwards and be placed under your urine stream for 5 seconds. Some people find it easier to collect their urine in a jar instead and simply to dip the absorbent tip into the jar for 5 seconds. If you do it this second way, make sure that the container is clean and dry. (3) With the absorbent trip facing downwards, cover with the cap and lay on a flat surface. (4) Wait for the results to appear. Two lines in the window mean that you are pregnant. Only one line in the window means that you are not pregnant.
++ PRICE ++
I bought this for £11.29 (packet of two) from Boots. Compared to similar products on the market, this is decent value:
The First Response test claims to be 99% accurate. In my experience, it was not that (unless I am the 1%!). I was keen to know as early as possible if I was pregnant, because I planned on taking some valium for a flight and later in the week to have a few drinks. The First Response test said that I was not pregnant. So, I took the valium and alcohol. It turns out that I am pregnant, so now I face huge amounts of anxiety about whether the valium or alcohol did any harm to the baby.
In my opinion, the test is misleading because it does not give you an early response and is not reliable. If it gives a ‘pregnant’ result, it is likely to be true. However, I would take a ‘non pregnant’ result with a pinch of salt. Do not base any actions on the results – as I found out to my annoyance and concern.
My advice is to stick with the other brands (especially the cheap, but reliable, Boots Home Pregnancy Test Kit) and test when your period is actually due. It is very tempting to want to know as soon as possible if you are pregnant or not, but be aware that this test may not give a true result so early on and may be a waste of over 11 pounds.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Thanks for that- I'll remember it in future if/when I need it! Becki x
dolcezza 05.03.2004 14:43
I hope everything is going well, take care of yourself. Wendy -x-
nosreme7 23.02.2004 18:43
OMG - I had the opposite problem a test told me I was pregnant when I actually wasn't. it turned out for the best as I was only 18 at the time and would never have coped!!. Know what you mean about trying eevery brand though - it took me 9 months to fall pregnant 1st time. Clare x
Why can I test earlier with First Response Pregnancy Test than with any other pregnancy ... more
test?The First Response test is so sensitive that most pregnant women have enough of the pregnancy hormone, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), to be detected as early as6days before their expected period. Therefore, you can use theFirst Response Early Pregnancy Testas early as6days before you expect your period. For example, if you expect your period on the 21st day of the month, you can test as early as the 17th day of the month.The amount of pregnancy hormone increases as pregnancy progresses. In clinical testing, First Response detected hormone levels consistent with pregnancy in 62% of women 5 days before their expected period, in 78% of women 4 days before their expected period, in 87% of women 3 days before their expected period and in 98% of women 2 days before their expected period. Note that hormone levels may vary.
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours......
Why can I test earlier with First Response Pregnancy Test than with any other pregnancy ... more
test?The First Response test is so sensitive that most pregnant women have enough of the pregnancy hormone, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), to be detected as early as6days before their expected period. Therefore, you can use theFirst Response Early Pregnancy Testas early as6days before you expect your period. For example, if you expect your period on the 21st day of the month, you can test as early as the 17th day of the month.The amount of pregnancy hormone increases as pregnancy progresses. In clinical testing, First Response detected hormone levels consistent with pregnancy in 62% of women 5 days before their expected period, in 78% of women 4 days before their expected period, in 87% of women 3 days before their expected period and in 98% of women 2 days before their expected period. Note that hormone levels may vary.
Postage & Packaging:£2.95 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days......
Advantages: easy to use, extremely cheap, Very early accurate results Disadvantages: A right devil to open, which way the window should be on, Using the second one before I went back to the bin to retrieve the first one, what I would have done with the second one though,I haven't a clue
Jan 6th, 2004
very helpful by (98%):
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