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| At-home pregnancy test kits measure the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's urine. The hormone is produced by the placenta and thus is only present during pregnancy. The test is performed by either placing a test strip into a cup containing a urine sample, or holding a test stick under a urine stream (midstream). Results are typically provided within 5 minutes. |
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| Typical costs: |
- Test strips, most commonly available to purchase over the Internet, range from $0.50 to $1 per strip, but are typically sold in "bulk." In general, the more you buy, the more the price drops. At EarlyPregnancyTests.com, strips cost $0.92 when ordering 1-9; and cost $0.80 per strip for 20-49 strips.
- Midstream tests are much pricier, costing between $6 and $10 per stick. Most manufacturers offer pregnancy test sticks in single, double or triple packs. As with the test strips, the more you buy, the better the value. The average single test kit costs $9.62. A 2-pack averages $7.58 per stick while a 3-pack costs $6.18 per stick.
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| What should be included: |
- Test kits that use strips should contain a sterile urine collection cup as well as the test strip and instructions. Midstream tests consist solely of the test stick and instructions.
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| Discounts: |
- Many online retailers, including EarlyPregnancyTests.com, offer better pricing on pregnancy test kits when purchased in combination with other fertility products such as ovulation test strips.
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| Shopping for a home pregnancy test: |
- Although many test kit labels claim up to 99% accuracy, the FDA emphasizes the possibility for both false positive tests and false negative tests.
- Consumers can check to see whether a pregnancy test kit is regulated by the FDA by searching the database of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety.
- Home pregnancy tests are available at most drugstores or on the Internet and do not require a prescription.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For medical decisions, always consult your physician for the right course for your infant or child.
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Article updated February 2008 |
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