A new article published in the peer-reviewed journal Women's Health emphasizes the importance of early pregnancy detection. Using research conducted on behalf of Church & Dwight Co. Inc., the makers of First Response, the article reviews data that shows not all at-home pregnancy tests are created equal -First Response® brand pregnancy tests are more sensitive and able to detect key variants of the pregnancy hormone better than other at home pregnancy tests.
"The first days of pregnancy set the stage for healthy fetal development and a safe, healthy experience for mom," said Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., study author and clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine. "By choosing a highly sensitive pregnancy test like First Response, a woman can confirm she is pregnant very early and begin to make healthy choices for herself and her fetus."
All at-home pregnancy tests work by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the primary pregnancy hormone; however, levels of sensitivity vary by test. In early pregnancy, hCG is found in a woman's urine in very small amounts, and home pregnancy tests vary in their ability to detect low levels of the hormone. In addition, there are other forms of hCG that are present in the urine during early pregnancy, and home pregnancy tests also differ in their sensitivity to these variants. Minkin's article concludes that there are clear benefits to detecting hCG variants, including a more sensitive result.