Are you confused after taking a home pregnancy test and receiving a negative test result? Maybe you’re experiencing pregnancy symptoms like a missed period, nausea, and fatigue.
While home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate, it is possible to get a false negative on a pregnancy test. In this blog, we share how you could have received a false negative and how pregnancy testing works.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
Following the instructions of a home pregnancy test is key to getting accurate results. We know your emotions may feel like they’re all over the place, but do your best to take your time.
A typical home pregnancy test works to detect the hCG hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, in your urine.
Certain home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others. A home pregnancy test is easy to follow, and you can find the directions somewhere on the box you picked up from your local pharmacy.
Reasons You Could Receive a False Negative
There are a couple of reasons why you could have received a false negative after taking a pregnancy test, including:
- Taking it at the wrong time: taking a test later in the day can give you false results, as well as taking a pregnancy too soon in your pregnancy.
- Checking your results too soon: read the directions on how long to wait before reading your pregnancy test results. This step is essential so that the results are not read too soon.
When to Take a Pregnancy Test
According to the Mayo Clinic, the best time to take a pregnancy test is at least one day after your missed period. Waiting this amount of time will give your body time to produce a detectable amount of hCG.
It’s also recommended to take a pregnancy test first thing in the morning. At this time of day, your urine is most concentrated, making it easier to detect hCG.
Follow-Up with a Free Pregnancy Test
Follow up your home pregnancy test with a free and confidential pregnancy test at Life Choices Community Pregnancy Clinic. Our caring team is here to walk you through this simple process and help you understand the results.
Schedule a free appointment today to get started. You are not alone as you navigate this time. Take a breath and take one day at a time.