Can you trust the result of your pregnancy test? Many women wonder this question as they prepare to make big decisions about their health and future.
While most pregnancy tests, whether $1 dollar store tests or expensive digital tests, are usually 99% accurate at least one day after your missed period, there are factors that could impact the accuracy of your pregnancy test.
Keep reading to learn about these factors. You can also visit Women’s Clinic Tallahassee for all your pregnancy testing needs. An ultrasound may be performed to confirm the pregnancy if all criteria are met. While an ultrasound isn’t the right choice for everyone, to see if you qualify for an ultrasound, contact Women’s Clinic Tallahassee.
Five Factors That Impact Pregnancy Test Accuracy
1. The Date
Waiting until at least one day after your missed period should give you an accurate result, but you could still receive a false-negative if hCG is still rising to detectable levels. If you test negative and your period doesn’t arrive in a day or so, take another pregnancy test.
2. The Time
When you wake up in the morning, you are more dehydrated and your urine is more concentrated. This means testing first thing in the morning raises the chances of hCG being detected early in pregnancy.
3. User Error
Read the instructions carefully before taking the pregnancy test for specific details on how to administer the test (dip it in urine versus place it in a stream) and when to view the test results. A deviation from the instructions can cause you to misinterpret the results.
4. Test Quality
Check the expiration date of the pregnancy test before use to ensure it will give a reliable result. You’ll also want to check that the control line appears on the pregnancy test when you use it. If the control line doesn’t appear, throw out the pregnancy test as potentially inaccurate.
5. Medications and Medical Issues
Are you on fertility drugs that contain the hormone hCG? These drugs can skew the results because hCG is the hormone that pregnancy tests detect to verify pregnancy.
Also, if you’re having problems with your ovaries or menopause, this can also cause a false-positive result.
Receive Lab-Quality Pregnancy Testing
Are you ready to find out if you’re pregnant with accurate, lab-quality pregnancy testing?
Schedule your appointment at Women’s Clinic Tallahassee to get official answers and learn about your next steps.
