“It looked like it was a faint positive. Is it still positive?” Whether you’re hoping the test is positive or not, this is an important question. In this article we’ll share some information about a faint positive, as well as a free resource to find out for sure.
Avenue Women’s Center is a limited women’s clinic that provides a free, medical-grade pregnancy test that is accurate just ten days after the possible time of conception. At any of our five DuPage County offices – Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, and Wood Dale, Illinois—you can learn more about your results & be able to begin plans for your next steps. Walk-ins are welcome! Or you can call ahead for the location that’s most convenient for you. You don’t need to wait and wonder. Please call, text, email or chat today!
A faint positive on a home pregnancy test is not uncommon. There are a number of explanations why you may be seeing this as your result.
- You may have taken the test too early in the pregnancy. A home test measures the amount of the pregnancy hormone, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the urine. Early in the pregnancy it may not be concentrated enough in your urine to register clearly on the test. The amount of hCG in your urine increases over time. That’s why it may be recommended to wait until the hCG is more detectable—about a week after a missed period—to get a more accurate result from a home pregnancy test.
- If you tested later in the day, the urine may be more dilute and not register as clearly. It’s best to take the test first thing in the morning before you eat or drink.
- It could be the faint line you are seeing is an evaporation line. The test must be read within the time frame noted in the instructions. If it is past the prescribed time, the faint line may simply be the evaporation line from the urine drying and fading from the test stick.
- A faint line may indicate you were pregnant but have had a very early miscarriage (12 weeks of pregnancy or before). Especially if you have seen a faint positive for a few days and then the result turns completely negative, this may be the case. You may not even be aware you were pregnant and had a miscarriage. Taking a test after a miscarriage may indicate some residual hCG remains in the body even though the pregnancy is over.
Is it still positive?
This remains the most important question. The simple answer is this: There are a few situations (like the ones listed above) in which a faint positive is not a true positive result. However, even if the line or plus sign is faint, if you see it, you most likely are pregnant. It is very rare to get a false positive from a home pregnancy test.
When it’s a faint positive and you’re wondering “Is it still positive?” what should you do?
You can wait until a week after your missed period and test again. Another option is to go to your doctor or health care provider for a blood test which can detect pregnancy earlier (6 to 8 days after ovulation), but this takes longer to receive results.
Our best recommendation is that you contact Avenue Women’s Center for the free pregnancy test described earlier. If the pregnancy is confirmed, we provide a private, confidential, no obligation pregnancy consultation with an experienced, compassionate, nonjudgmental client advocate at no cost to you. We are here to walk with you as you explore your options and navigate the decisions ahead. We hope you will allow us to serve you! Contact us today!
References:
- Mayo Clinic. (2015, December) 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
- Office on Women’s Health, US Dept of Health and Human Services. (2018, February). Pregnancy tests. Retrieved from: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/pregnancy-tests?from=AtoZ.
- Office on Women’s Health, US Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, February). Knowing if you are pregnant. Retrieved from: https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/knowing-if-you-are-pregnant/#2
- Healthline. Faint Positive Home Pregnancy Test: Am I Pregnant? Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/faint-positive-home-pregnancy-test#pregnancy
- WebMD. (2018, January). Pregnancy Tests. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-tests#1
- BabyCenter. (2017, May). My home pregnancy test showed a faint line. Am I pregnant? Retrieved from: https://www.babycenter.com/404_my-home-pregnancy-test-showed-a-faint-line-am-i-pregnant_7105.bc
- We Have Kids. (2018, April). Faint Line on Pregnancy Test Is Very Light and Not Getting Darker: Am I Pregnant? Retrieved from: https://wehavekids.com/having-baby/What-Does-It-Mean-When-The-Line-Doesnt-Get-Darker-On-A-Pregnancy-Test
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.