MetroHealth Dr. looks at research for $1 at home pregnancy test kits to see if there's a difference

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - The decision to have a child is often filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. Women often buy dozens of at home pregnancy tests and they're not cheap.

We looked at whether you really need to pay top dollar to find out if you are pregnant.

Like most first-time moms, Traci Grasso was excited when she and her husband began trying to have their first baby. Her son John is almost 3, but she remembers those moments like they were yesterday.

"First time being pregnant I didn't know what to expect or anything like that so if I thought about it, maybe I'm pregnant... When I did find out, it was probably five a day to make sure it was right," Grasso explained.

At the store, most pregnancy test kits cost between $10 to 15. For that price, some kits will give you two testers. You're still paying at least $5 per test. How about paying just a dollar?

"I know a lot of people are probably skeptical about it, but there's a generic brand for everything," Grasso said.

We found dollar pregnancy tests at Dollar Tree and Dollar General. Dollar General's "Baby" brand has an insert with instructions and details on testing, but that's missing from Dollar Tree's "New Choice" kit. All the instructions are right on the box.

Grasso didn't mind the simplicity.

"I feel it's the same thing, and it's much more affordable," Grasso said.

So, how do these dollar options stack up to the name brand? We asked Metro Health Family Medicine Christine Alexander, M.D. to review the research from Dollar Tree's test kit.

"After looking at the studies, I really think there is no difference," Alexander said.

No difference in the lab, but you may get a different result if you don't do the testing right.

"Like anything, it's only as good as the person who did the test and this one is a little bit more cumbersome to do, so it puts al little more ownership on the patient and how they perform the test."

The other issue is "when" you perform the test. Alexander said some women do it too early.

"If you really think you are pregnant and get a negative test, wait several days to a week to repeat your test," Alexander said.

Alexander said testing at home is really a good first step, and she admits it's cheaper than going to the doctor especially if you're paying just a dollar.

So, what do you think? Would you give it a try? Comment below.

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