Was My Pregnancy Test Really Accurate?

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.

The idea of an unexpected pregnancy can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. It's normal to feel uncertain about the accuracy of your pregnancy test. Understanding how pregnancy tests work and what factors are at play can help you feel more confident in your results. 

So, what should you do if you’re asking yourself, “Was my pregnancy test really positive?”

There is a “Right Time” for a Pregnancy Test

Timing is everything when it comes to taking a pregnancy test. Most home pregnancy tests are designed to detect the hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced by the placenta after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. It takes a few days for hCG to build up in your body, so taking a test too early can result in a false negative.

The best time to take a pregnancy test is after you have missed a period. If you have irregular periods or are unsure when your next period is due, it's best to wait at least two weeks after you had unprotected sex before taking a test. This will give your body enough time to produce detectable levels of hCG.

Reading the Results Step-By-Step 

Reading a pregnancy test is relatively straightforward. Most tests have a control line and a test line:

Human error can also affect the accuracy of a pregnancy test. If you don't follow the instructions correctly, you may get an inaccurate result. Here are some things to keep in mind: 

• Ensure the test hasn’t expired or been previously opened 
• Don’t use a test that has been stored improperly (e.g. in a humid bathroom)
• Take the test first thing in the morning when your urine is most concentrated, providing a clearer result
• While it may be tempting, do not drink too much water before taking the test (this can dilute your urine, making it harder to detect hCG and give unclear results)
  

If you suspect that you made a mistake when taking the test, it's best to take another test in 2-3 days to confirm the result. 

Regardless of the type of test you've taken, it's important to remember that false positive and false negative results are possible. 



• False positive results can occur if you've recently been pregnant and still have hCG in your system, if you're taking certain medications that contain hCG, or if the test is faulty or past its expiration date. 
• False negative results can occur if you take the test too early, if your urine is too diluted, or if the test is faulty or past its expiration date.

If you're still uncertain about the accuracy of your pregnancy test, it's a good idea to seek out the support of a healthcare provider or a non-judgmental space like Avail NYC. At Avail NYC, we can provide you with information, resources, and support to help you make informed decisions about the possibility of a pregnancy. 

Even though an unexpected pregnancy can be overwhelming and scary, it’s important to remember that there are resources available to help you navigate this challenging time. If you've taken a pregnancy test and are uncertain about the results, we encourage you to make a free appointment with our caring advocates who are experts in compassionate, non-judgmental listening. They can help you process the idea of an unexpected pregnancy and help walk you through decision-making tools based on what’s most important to you. 

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.