A home pregnancy test is the most convenient and fastest way to know whether or not you are pregnant. But nothing feels as disheartening as a negative result. The accuracy of home pregnancy tests, the best time to take them, and how long you should wait before taking another test are a few things that might be on your mind after a negative pregnancy test.
If you are unsure about the home pregnancy test, consult an OB-GYN in Mulund Mumbai to learn more. In the meantime, read about the odds of a false-negative on pregnancy tests and the factors that affect the test’s accuracy.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
When you are pregnant, your body produces a hormone called “Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). The amount of this hormone increases drastically in the initial weeks of pregnancy. A home pregnancy test checks the presence of this hormone in your urine or blood sample and shows a positive or negative result, one or two lines, and the terms “pregnant or not pregnant” to convey the results.
Most tests require a urine sample, which you can collect in a small container. Use the dropper to place 3-4 drops of urine into the kit and wait 2-3 minutes. A single line or a minus sign on the test is considered negative. If it’s positive, see your gynecologist for pregnancy management in Mumbai.
Reasons for a False Negative Result
Here’s what may lead to a false negative test result.
Testing Too Early: If you take the test too early, you might get a false negative. That happens because your boy may not produce sufficient hCG. Wait for at least a day or two after your missed period to test for pregnancy.
Diluted Urine Samples: If the urine sample is diluted, hCG may not show up. The best time to take the test is in the morning, when the urine is highly concentrated.
Faulty or Expired Kits: Do not use an expired pregnancy kit. The mechanism to measure the hCG hormone in your urine may not work properly, resulting in a false negative. Likewise, a test kit could be faulty and show a false positive or negative.
Other Factors That Can Affect Test Accuracy
Ovulation medications or certain medical conditions, such as pituitary disorders or ovarian cysts, can interfere with the result, but that’s rare. In some women, irregular menstrual cycles can affect the accuracy of the results.
If your menstrual cycle is longer, you might ovulate later than expected. Your body might not make enough hCG right after the day you missed your period. So, consider checking later, preferably a week after your missed period.
What to Do If You Suspect a False Negative
Here’s what to do if your pregnancy test results show up negative:
- Wait for 3-4 days before re-testing.
- Take the morning urine sample.
- See a gynecologist for an ultrasound or blood test.
Pregnancy kit manufacturers claim that the test results are 99% effective. While that might mean your negative results could be accurate, that’s not always true.