If you believe you could be pregnant but your test result is negative, it may be a false negative. False negatives can occur for several reasons, with timing and incorrect test use being the most common.

Clara Women’s Center provides lab-quality pregnancy testing for clarity, along with a limited ultrasound following a positive result to confirm important details about your pregnancy.

Schedule a no-cost appointment today, and keep reading to learn possible reasons for an incorrect result.

Testing Too Early 

Taking a pregnancy test too early is one of the most common reasons for a false negative. Pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which increases after implantation. 

If hCG levels haven’t risen enough, then the test may show a negative result. For the most accurate results, take a pregnancy test one to two days after a missed period.

Not Following Test Instructions 

A home pregnancy test is generally accurate as long as you follow the instructions provided. 

Follow the instructions to understand the timing window after you’ve taken the test and what both positive and negative results look like. The way the results are displayed can vary depending on the pregnancy test.

Avoid using expired tests or taking the test later in the day after drinking large amounts of fluid, as hCG may be less concentrated.

Testing Too Soon After a Pregnancy Loss

Many women don’t realize that hCG levels can remain elevated after a miscarriage, which can cause a positive pregnancy test result even when the pregnancy is no longer developing.

There is also a chance of a chemical pregnancy, which occurs before five weeks of gestation. A chemical pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy ends shortly after implantation. In these cases, the pregnancy test result was accurate, but the pregnancy ended very early.

Why Results Need to Be Confirmed With an Ultrasound

A pregnancy test does not provide important medical details about your pregnancy, including the location, how far along the pregnancy is, and if the pregnancy is viable.

Knowing the location of the pregnancy can determine whether you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. An ultrasound can also help identify whether the pregnancy is developing by detecting a fetal heartbeat.

Receive Support at Clara Women’s Center

If you are unsure about your pregnancy test results, taking another test in a few days may be helpful if your period hasn’t arrived yet. Clara Women’s Center also offers pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STI testing. 

We also provide accurate information about your options so you can make an informed decision about your next steps.

Contact us to make a no-cost appointment.