The results of the pregnancy test
A pregnancy test can return a positive or negative result. If the hCG hormone level is less than 5 mIU/ml, you are not pregnant. If the hCG hormone level is 5 mIU/ml or higher, you are pregnant. In this post you will find everything about the tests and their sensitivity.
If the test is positive, the result (depending on the test) can show how many weeks pregnant you are based on the concentration of the aforementioned hormone.
False negatives and false positives
We are referring to when the test is negative and finally turns out to be positive, which is relatively common; or to a positive test result that does not result in a pregnancy, which is much more occasional.
Recommendations to avoid errors in pregnancy detection with home tests
To avoid false negatives and ensure a reliable result, it is advisable to follow a series of recommendations:
- Carefully follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your chosen test, both regarding its operation and the days on which it should be performed. Not all products work exactly the same way, and nerves can make it difficult to interpret the instructions and recommendations correctly. If it's advised to wait until a specific point in your cycle to take the test, try to adhere to those times.
- For women with irregular cycles, the calculations become more complicated, as they may have become pregnant several days later than initially estimated and are more likely to get an inaccurate result if the test is performed too close to the expected timeframe. In any case, these women should repeat the tests after a few days to confirm the result.
- It is recommended to take the test first thing in the morning. Upon waking, urine has higher concentrations of hCG, so there is less chance of false negatives. The test can also be taken during the rest of the day, but, especially if you drink a lot of water, the hormone levels drop and the test may not be sensitive enough and fail to detect the hormone.
- Keep in mind that some fertility medications or other drugs containing hCG can interfere with pregnancy test results. However, most medications, including antibiotics and birth control pills, do not affect the accuracy of home pregnancy tests.
- Last but not least, it is advisable to check the expiry date of the test.
In any case, when in doubt, the safest way to confirm pregnancy will always be through a blood test for the HCG hormone.
Could a positive result be incorrect?
Although rare, with an estimated 97% accuracy rate (if the test is performed correctly), it is possible to get a positive result on a pregnancy test and then not be pregnant. This is known as a false positive.
A false positive can occur if a pregnancy is lost shortly after the fertilized egg implants in the endometrium. This is known as a biochemical pregnancy.
Another case of false positive can occur in anembryonic pregnancies or anembryonic (without embryo), that is, when an egg is fertilized but after implanting in the endometrium only the gestational sac ends up forming, without the embryo inside developing.
A false positive result can also occur in women with hormonal disorders or due to contamination with residual artificial hCG hormones from fertility medications. This usually happens if the test is performed too early and the body has not yet been able to eliminate the hormone.
Some rare diseases, such as trophoblastic diseases and some cancers (gonadotropin-secreting tumors), may also produce a high amount of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone, giving a false-positive test result.
And another possibility would be in the case of ectopic embryosThat is, those that occur outside the uterus or womb, where the chances of a successful outcome are very low but HCG levels do rise.
Could a negative result be incorrect?
It is possible to get a negative result on a pregnancy test when you are actually pregnant. This is known as a false negative.
The main reason for a false negative result is taking the test too early in the pregnancy. If the result is negative, the test should be repeated a week later, or a blood test can be performed, which can detect hCG levels as early as 7 to 9 days after conception.
Anyway, here's a secret: sometimes it's just a matter of waiting a few more minutes!
Rushing can make the time it takes for the test to react seem endless. It's not unreasonable to consider using a timer to wait the appropriate amount of time.
So… a little patience and lots of luck!
Here are two of the best-selling, most sensitive pregnancy tests to help you avoid any errors in the result.
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