A pink “plus” sign. The word “Pregnant”. Some home pregnancy tests even estimate how far along you might be. There are so many home tests available—but sometimes the results are still confusing.
If you’ve taken more than one home pregnancy test and gotten different results, see if one of these scenarios may have happened to you:
- Did you read the package directions for the time range when the test can be read? Every home pregnancy test has a specific time range for interpreting the results, often between 3 and 10 minutes. If a positive result appears after the limit stated in the package, it may be an evaporation line from the urine sample. This is probably the most common reason people think the test is positive when it’s not. It is important to follow all instructions exactly for a home pregnancy test.
- Could you have taken the test too soon after conceiving (or too early before your expected period)? Some home pregnancy tests claim they can detect a pregnancy up to 6 days before a missed period. Depending on when you possibly ovulated or conceived, your pregnancy hormone may not be strong enough yet to be detected clearly. In this case, a test done a few days later should show a clearer, more accurate result.
- Could one test have been influenced by a diluted urine sample? Many home pregnancy test instructions recommend testing in the morning because the morning urine is often concentrated. Taking a test after a day of getting your 8 glasses of water in can dilute the sample and cause a false negative.
- Could you have experienced a “chemical pregnancy”? A chemical pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, but then for some reason, the body gets rid of it. This is the most common type of very early miscarriage, and most women might not even realize it’s happened to them. This could result in the first test being positive and a second test being negative.
- Although rare, certain medications or health issues can affect the test outcome. Your test packaging should list these kind of issues.
If you are confused about conflicting results from at-home pregnancy tests, please make an appointment with Avenue Women’s Center today. Our pregnancy tests are lab-grade quality, and are over 99.5% accurate as long as it has been at least ten days after possible conception. We offer them at no cost to you in a safe and neutral environment.
*This information does not replace medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis by a qualified medical professional.
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.