Have you ever received inconsistent results on multiple at-home pregnancy tests? Perhaps you find yourself in this confusing situation right now. Faced with the possibility of an unexpected pregnancy, you’re needing clarity! Maybe you’d hoped these pregnancy tests would offer some much-needed relief. Instead, you’re left with a handful of seemingly unreliable results and way more questions than answers. You’re not alone! Many women have been through a similar experience. Know that it’s possible (and wise) to figure out what’s going on with your body!
Avenue Women’s Center is here to help! Visit one of our six limited medical clinics to find out if you’re pregnant and assess your next steps alongside a knowledgeable pregnancy consultant. Our free pregnancy tests are accurate just ten days after possible conception. Receive results you can trust today! Whether you’re a part of the Chicagoland community, or visiting from out of town, we’ve got your back.
Learn more about our services!
You Want to Understand What’s Happening in Your Body. That’s a Good Thing!
Chances are, you purchased multiple pregnancy tests because you wanted to be sure. Whether that first test showed a positive, negative, or unclear result, you may have thought to yourself, “Why not prove this with another test? It’s too important.” But somewhere along the way, you began to get inconsistent findings. In your quest for peace of mind, you found the exact opposite! You’re right about the importance of confirming a possible pregnancy. This may be the perfect time to take your search for answers to the next level.
Factors that Might be Affecting Your Pregnancy Test Results
Let’s take a closer look at some considerations that may or may not be influencing your results.
- Timing. hCG is a hormone that’s found in the blood and urine of pregnant women. In the earliest days of a pregnancy, the body may not produce enough hCG to be detected by a pregnancy test. When it’s time to try an at-home test, also consider taking it first thing in the morning. Your urine is most concentrated then.
- The medications you’re taking. Some medications, like fertility drugs containing hCG, can affect the accuracy of your pregnancy test results. Most medications wouldn’t interfere with this.
- The pregnancy test itself. Read the instructions on the packaging and check the expiration date. It’s hard to wait patiently for a result, but you need to allow enough time for the pregnancy test to do its work. Alternatively, some test results are inaccurate after a longer period of time. Sometimes, individual pregnancy tests are faulty. If you’ve followed the directions and nothing appears in the results window, it’s best to try a different test.
- A possible pregnancy complication. False positives are rare, but these can be caused by a biochemical pregnancy (an early pregnancy loss, which takes place shortly after the fertilized egg has attached to the lining of the uterus). Other conditions like ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy located outside of the uterus), menopause, or concerns with the ovaries have been known to misleadingly affect results.
It’s best to avoid making your own assumptions about why you’re receiving inconsistent results. If you have any concerns, speak with a doctor right away!
Your Next Best Steps
A medical professional (like your OBGYN) may offer a blood-based or urine-based pregnancy test that’s more accurate than the tests you took at home. Avenue Women’s Center provides a free medical-grade pregnancy test that can detect a pregnancy with 99.5% accuracy just ten days after possible conception. Our free and confidential services also include a limited medical ultrasound. This can confirm your pregnancy, assess how far along you are, and detect early pregnancy risks like ectopic pregnancy. Even if you’ve only taken one test so far, or have received consistent findings, seek more information and as-needed medical attention. You may find a lab-quality pregnancy test (like the ones we offer at Avenue) to be especially informative if at-home tests are confusing.
Any time you visit one of Avenue’s limited medical clinics, you’ll have an opportunity to speak with a compassionate pregnancy consultant about all your options and resources. We’re here to help you find clarity and support you on the road ahead, no matter what challenges come your way. Do you need a calm, welcoming environment in which to process your results and consider your next best steps? If so, Avenue is an excellent choice!
Walk in or schedule an appointment at a location in Darien, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, or Wood Dale, Illinois!
*If you believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or visit your closest emergency room right away!
_______________
Reference:
Mayo Clinic. (2021, February). Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results? Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940
Reviewed by Patricia Kuenzi, APN-CNP, MSN, ANP, PNP.
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.