You just read your pregnancy test. Whether the result was what you expected or not, your next question is probably whether you can trust it.
Home pregnancy tests are about 99% accurate when used correctly, but timing and a few other factors can affect that. Knowing what can throw off a result helps you decide whether the next step is a confirmation test or something more.
Elevier Women’s Center offers free, lab-quality pregnancy testing in Elk River.
Schedule a no-cost appointment to get results you can count on.
How Home Pregnancy Tests Work
Home pregnancy tests detect hCG, the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, which the body produces after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Once implantation occurs, hCG levels rise steadily, roughly doubling every two to three days in early pregnancy.
Most tests are designed to detect hCG at levels present after a missed period. Testing earlier than that, before hCG has built up enough, is the most common reason for a false-negative result.
What Can Affect Accuracy
Testing too early is the most common reason for a false negative. hCG needs time to build to a detectable level, and that usually doesn’t happen until around the time of a missed period. First-morning urine gives the most accurate result since hormone levels are more concentrated before you’ve had anything to drink. Other factors include reading the test outside the recommended time window and using an expired or damaged test.
False positives are less common but can occur after a recent pregnancy loss, with certain fertility medications, or with hormonal conditions that affect hCG levels.
Why an Ultrasound Matters
A pregnancy test confirms hCG is present. It doesn’t tell you how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is inside the uterus, or whether it is viable and growing. An ultrasound provides key pregnancy information.
A pregnancy located outside the uterus (an ectopic pregnancy) is a serious medical condition that requires prompt care. An ultrasound is the only way to confirm the pregnancy is in the right location. That information is important regardless of what you decide to do next.
Get a Clear Answer
If you have questions about your results, you do not have to guess. Elevier Women’s Center provides free, confidential lab-quality pregnancy testing and ultrasounds with a professional medical team on staff to walk you through your results and answer your questions.
Schedule your free appointment today. Call or text (763) 441-7777.