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False-Negative Pregnancy TestsAt Your Options Medical, we have found that when many of our patients have a negative pregnancy test result, they assume they are not pregnant. However, this is not always the case. False negative pregnancy tests do occur. Here is how it works: A urine pregnancy test detects the hormone called hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). This is the hormone your body produces during pregnancy. When urine is being tested for the presence of this hCG hormone and a woman is pregnant, the result of the pregnancy test should read positive. However, there are a few reasons a pregnancy test can give a false test result including the following:
If you think you might be pregnant because you have missed your period, know that there are other reasons besides pregnancy. To learn more, check out our blog. Contact Us If you think you might be pregnant, Your Options Medical can offer you pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling at no cost to you and insurance is not required. Contact us today to learn more! Let's kick this off with a question: how many at-home pregnancy tests have you taken in your life? (p.s. let us know your estimate in the comments below!) We ask because back in 2018, Channelmums.com did a quick study and found that, on average, when a woman discovers she's pregnant she will buy 6 different pregnancy tests just to ensure she's truly expecting. And when you look at the numbers, it all makes sense. There are over 20 million pregnancy tests purchased in the US alone every year -- but only 4 million confirmed pregnancies. At $10 a pop (roughly) that starts to add up quickly! In fact, 1.68 billion dollarsworth of pregnancy tests are sold each year, globally. And we get it! When you first see those two little lines indicating a positive pregnancy, you just want to make sure it's really true and not just a fluke. But false positives are pretty uncommon, even when taking an at-home test. Chances are, if you take a pregnancy test and it's positive, then you've got a bun in the oven. However, that brings us to false negatives... which are a little less reliable. But that doesn't mean you need to take test after test after test to confirm. In fact, experts recommend that if you've missed a period but have a negative pregnancy test, then you should wait 1 week and take another test. Why you might get a false negative pregnancy testAt-home pregnancy tests are looking for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (or hCG for short) present in your urine. This hormone is produced shortly after an embryo has attached itself to your uterine wall, as hCG levels start building up in the body after that point. However, this doesn't happen right from the moment of conception. It can take anywhere from 6 to12 days on average for the embryo to attach and for hCG to be detectable through home tests. This is why after your first negative test it's recommended that you take a second test a week later. But we also know that it's hard to wait! So, in lieu of you going out and buying a basketful of pregnancy tests, we wanted to go over the most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy that might pop up before a positive pregnancy test, so you know exactly what to look out for. 6 early signs of pregnancy
Are there any other early signs of pregnancy?Of course! Every woman and every body is different. Here are a few other early symptoms you may experience:
An important thing to remember about these symptoms…One thing we want to make clear is that you may experience all of these symptoms and not be pregnant. Or you may experience none of these symptoms and be pregnant. Our bodies - and the reproductive process they goes through - are incredibly complex and every woman is different. If you've missed your period but have a negative result on your pregnancy test, it's advised that you wait one week and take another test. If your second test comes back negative but you still haven't gotten your period, then it's advised for you to go to your doctor for a blood test which can be more definitive. At the end of the day, staying in tune with your body and what it's telling you is always a good practice, and will benefit you whenever that positive pregnancy result does come through. Want to optimize your health before you get pregnant? Baby2Body's Trying to Conceive program will help you track your cycles, predict your fertile windows, and give you personalized fitness and wellness programs to get your body ready for baby. Why do I have all the pregnancy symptoms but negative test?If you feel as though you're pregnant but got a negative home pregnancy test result, your symptoms could be down to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or you may have taken the test too early.
Can you have pregnancy symptoms before testing positive?Some pregnancy symptoms can begin a just few days after conception, even before a positive pregnancy test, which may include: Spotting or cramping: According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), spotting and cramping may occur 6-12 days after sexual intercourse.
What can mimic pregnancy symptoms?Certain medical conditions can mimic the symptoms of pregnancy, including ectopic pregnancy, morbid obesity, and cancer. These conditions may need to be ruled out with tests.
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