You might be hesitant to take a pregnancy test if you’re anxious about the potential result.
But what happens when you’ve missed your period, taken a test, and it’s negative—yet you still feel pregnant? Can you trust it?
If you really are pregnant, this is known as a false-negative result, and it can happen for several reasons. Read below to learn more.
To find out if you’re pregnant with certainty, schedule an appointment for free, confidential pregnancy testing at Heart of the Hills.
Testing Too Early
Pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone your body produces after a fertilized egg implants in your uterus. It can take about ten days after conception for hCG to rise to detectable levels, and even longer for some women.
If you test too soon—especially before your missed period—you may get a negative result even if you’re pregnant.
Diluted Urine
Drinking a lot of fluids before pregnancy testing can dilute your urine, making the hCG hormone harder to detect. For the best chance of detecting the presence of hCG, take the test first thing in the morning when your urine is most concentrated.
Faulty or Expired Tests
You may be surprised to know that pregnancy tests have expiration dates. If a pregnancy test has been sitting in your drawer for years, it may have expired.
Using an expired or damaged test can affect accuracy. Always check the packaging before use, and ensure the control line appears to confirm the test is working properly.
User Error
Not following instructions can lead to false results. This includes reading the test too soon or too late, using it incorrectly, or not waiting the recommended time for results to appear.
Irregular Cycles or Late Ovulation
If your periods are irregular or ovulation occurs later than expected, you might not produce detectable hCG until after your anticipated period.
What to Do After a Negative Result
If your period still hasn’t arrived after a few days to a week, test again or seek professional pregnancy testing. At Heart of the Hills, we provide free pregnancy testing and, if positive, an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy and estimate how far along you are.
Don’t let uncertainty weigh on you—contact us today to get clear, reliable answers.
