

This indicator may show up as an additional line that appears next to the test line or a symbol that appears in a window, depending on the type of test you take. However, this is more the exception than the norm since many tests come with a control indicator to prove that the pregnancy test is working properly. You should always check the expiration date on a pregnancy test before using it to make sure you're getting an accurate result - they will often expire after a year or two on the shelf. This is because the antibodies in the test that react to hCG hormones slowly evaporate over time - eventually there will be too few antibodies to accurately sense hCG.Related Article Module: Yes, pregnancy tests expire but you may still get an accurate reading If your pregnancy test is expired, it might give a false negative result. Drinking lots of fluids can dilute your urine and lower the concentration of hCG, so it's best to avoid drinking too much water or other drinks before taking a pregnancy test.Ĥ."If you can't take a test in the morning, try to use urine that has been sitting in your bladder for around four hours. Your urine has the highest concentration of hCG levels first thing in the morning.To learn more about ultrasound, check out our blog.To get an accurate positive result from a pregnancy test, you need to have a high concentration of hCG in your urine, which can be affected by several factors:

If you or someone you know have recently taken a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound is the next step before making a pregnancy decision it will determine if a decision needs to be made. These medical-grade tests are 99% accurate, can detect pregnancy as early as 7-10 days from conception and are administered by trained professionals. Your Options Medical offers lab-quality pregnancy tests at no cost to you. If the human fetus is developing, outside of the uterus, this is called an extrauterine pregnancy and immediate medical attention is required.

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Both of these scenarios could cause a false result on a pregnancy test.Īdditionally, there is always the possibility of human error when performing home pregnancy tests. In addition, after a woman gives birth, the hCG hormone typically remains in her body until about five weeks afterwards. How can you get a positive result on a pregnancy test if you are not actually pregnant? If a woman has recently experienced a miscarriage, the hCG hormone may still be present in her body up to several weeks after the miscarriage. If hCG is detected during pregnancy testing, the result should read positive. This is the hormone measured by pregnancy tests. Let us explain.ĭuring pregnancy, your body produces the hormone called hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). However, that may not always be the case. Many of our patients assume that if they take a pregnancy test and the result is positive that they are pregnant. Can I REALLY have a positive result on a pregnancy test and not actually be pregnant?
