For the expectant mother 

Can the test not. Video: How to choose a pregnancy test - medical recommendations. Can a pregnancy test be wrong?

A pregnancy test allows modern women to quickly obtain information about the fact of conception. It is easy to use and not as time-consuming as a visit to a gynecologist. The results of the research are reliable, while some people are happy and others are sad. However, some women are indignant that the testing failed them and showed an erroneous result. When and why does this happen?

Can a pregnancy test show an erroneous result?

The mechanism of any express test to determine conception, regardless of price and manufacturer, is based on the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin in the biomaterial (urine). This hormone is produced by the embryo from the moment it attaches to the endometrial tissue. On the 10th day from conception, the volume of the hormone in the female body increases to 50-100 units per ml. The hormone is excreted in the urine, which allows it to be used for research.

In order to determine hCG, a reagent is applied to the surface of the test, which consists of antibodies to the hormone. Upon contact with urine, it reacts with the active component of the test. In this case, if there is a fact of conception, a pair of stripes appear on the surface of the test.

In what cases should we expect an incorrect result and is this possible in principle? The test does not indicate pregnancy and is erroneous if storage rules are not followed, hygienic standards are violated, or there is pathology of the excretory system. Only a doctor's examination and an ultrasound examination can reliably confirm or refute the fact of pregnancy.

It is impossible to say with one hundred percent certainty whether the test is wrong. Repeating it a couple of days later will eliminate the possibility of error. Sometimes at this time a woman may experience other symptoms that indicate pregnancy - hot flashes, changes in taste habits, morning sickness.

If the test does not show pregnancy, but regular monthly bleeding does not occur, it is important to urgently visit a gynecologist and find out the cause of what is happening.

In what cases can a pregnancy test show one line if there is a pregnancy?

During the first days of pregnancy, the concentration of hCG in the blood reaches 25 units per ml, then the figure increases thousands of times. All modern tests react to a small concentration of the hormone. There are particularly sensitive models - tablet and strip tests. When using them, the likelihood of error is minimized. Some of them are able to determine the fact of conception on 1-2 days of delay, if the hCG has already been increased to 10 units per ml. The longer the time since fertilization, the more reliable the result will be.


If on the first day of the delay the test did not produce two bands, it should be repeated 3 days later. In the case of two stripes, there is no doubt about pregnancy (of course, if efforts were made to this during the previous three weeks and the woman is healthy).

How many days can a test not reflect pregnancy if it is present? Much depends on its quality, the accuracy of the manipulations, as well as the correct development of the fertilized egg. On the 5-6th day of delay, a qualitative test will show reliable data. If they are negative, but the woman is sure of pregnancy, she should visit a doctor and rule out pathological conception.

A pregnancy test may be mistaken and show one line, despite the presence of other signs of conception. The error is caused by the following factors:

  • unconcentrated urine due to taking a diuretic and drinking a lot of water the day before;
  • threat of disruption;
  • frozen pregnancy;
  • development of the egg outside the uterus;
  • kidney disease, heart disease.

Taking the test too early

Women's impatience and desire to find out whether the long-awaited pregnancy has finally arrived is quite understandable and understandable. However, the level of hCG to which the test responds rises only at the beginning of the expected period. For this reason, the test will show a reliable result 4-6 days from the moment when the new menstrual cycle should begin.

In some situations, hCG remains at low levels for a long time. In this case, the study should be repeated after 2-5 days. It is advisable to purchase a diagnostic device from another manufacturer. The absence of menstruation always has a reason, and if a woman is gynecologically healthy and has been sexually active for the previous three weeks, conception should be excluded or confirmed.

Unsatisfactory quality of urine

The test will show a positive result at a certain concentration of hCG in the urine. It may be underestimated not only because conception has not occurred. If you don’t have your period, but you drank a lot of liquid the day before or took a diuretic, the urine will be copious and unconcentrated. Then the test may well make a mistake and demonstrate a false negative answer. It is noteworthy that there are tests that show pregnancy only by analyzing morning urine.

Incorrect use of the test

  • The best result will be shown by morning urine - the concentration of hCG in it is most reliable;
  • conducting a study immediately after urination; old urine is not suitable for this, since the level of the hormone in it changes;
  • the printed test should be used immediately; it cannot be kept open for a long time;
  • use a sterile container when collecting urine;
  • The suitability of the test can be checked by the appearance of one strip: it should appear in any case;
  • the assessment takes place after 5-10 minutes, two lines indicate pregnancy;
  • For a correct result, one qualitative test is sufficient; a control measurement can be performed after 3 days.


Problems with the urinary system

The result can be significantly distorted by kidney disease. In this situation, the volume of hCG remains extremely low for a long time. It does not grow when there is an inflammatory process in the urinary tract. Protein in the urine also skews the results. Kidney pathologies negatively affect the course of pregnancy and must be treated and kept under control.

Pathologies of pregnancy

If the fetus develops abnormally, the hCG level may not increase, and the test produces a single line. With ectopic implantation of the fertilized egg, there is a moment when the hormone level will increase (up to 3-4 weeks) and then decrease, and even an electronic test will not show pregnancy. There is no positive result in cases of frozen pregnancy or the threat of spontaneous abortion. In this case, pain in the lower abdomen, spotting, and bleeding may occur for a long time. Any deviations from the norm are a reason to consult a doctor.

Improper storage

A fresh test from a pharmacy shows reliably whether conception has occurred or not. If it was purchased as a reserve and sat at home for several months, the results may be inaccurate. Changes in humidity, temperature, and sunlight have a negative impact on the quality of the test.

You should not purchase tests for the future. A reliable result can only be expected from a new test.

Defective test

Unfortunately, the risk of buying a defective test cannot be ruled out. Manufacturers themselves do not exclude the possibility of defects, describing in the instructions the moments when the result cannot be accepted as reliable (there is not a single strip after testing).

Why doesn't the test show pregnancy? This is possible due to improper storage and transportation of products to the point of sale. It happens that manufacturers skimp on reagents and apply a low-quality indicator to the strip.

A defective test may show one line on both 1 and 5 days after the expected start date of menstruation. However, obvious signs of pregnancy - morning sickness, changes in taste habits, irritability, lack of menstruation - cast doubt on this outcome. You must take the test again after purchasing a product from a different company at a pharmacy. If the result is again negative, you should consult a doctor.

False positive result

A positive test response (two stripes) in the absence of pregnancy is a rather rare occurrence. It can be misleading in the following situations:

  • treatment of infertility with hormones, stimulation of ovulation;
  • hormone-dependent tumors that produce glycoprotein;
  • chorionic carcinoma after hydatidiform mole;
  • performing the test almost immediately after abortive cleansing, delivery, or removal of an ectopic pregnancy;
  • expired test;
  • ignoring instructions.


The following rules for choosing a test will help minimize the risk of errors when determining pregnancy at home:

  • check production time and packaging at the time of purchase;
  • choose a test from reliable manufacturers - Clearblue, Clever LLC, Salyuta Company LLC and others (more details in the article:);
  • do not spare money on the purchase: cheap tests usually do not differ in quality, which is reflected in the result;
  • purchase a diagnostic tool at a pharmacy.

Can modern tests make mistakes and give unreliable information? Unfortunately, up to 5% of women face this situation. The electronic test, which clearly detects the level of hCG, is not mistaken. However, it is important that an increase in the concentration of the hormone can be associated not only with conception, but also with pathological diseases in the body. Only an additional examination by a doctor will help give a 100% correct answer.

Married women cannot name the date of conception, and gynecologists conventionally count the pregnancy period from possible ovulation, based on the date of the start of the last menstruation. The ladies themselves suggest that this happened after a significant delay. There is available testing and indirect signs, but on women’s forums the question most often asked is whether the test may not show pregnancy. They probably hold out hope that this did not happen, but it is worth discussing in more detail whether this is possible.

The test does not show pregnancy, but there is a delay and other signs

All women with the first signs of pregnancy are divided into 3 categories:
  1. If they are calm about possible conception, they are happy in their marriage and confident in their future.
  2. Those who are terrified of the onset of hour “X” are out of wedlock or do not have suitable conditions for the normal upbringing and provision of a child.
  3. Those who passionately desire a child - problems in their personal life push them to think about childless loneliness, infertility or a series of miscarriages.
All of them are united by questions, for example, why tests do not show pregnancy after a delay, if this happens. Is it possible to “skip” pregnancy in the first trimester, when abortion is less dangerous to health if it is indicated for medical reasons?

Puzzled by the possible transition to the “future mothers” category, some young women see something that is not there, others are sure that they are not pregnant despite obvious signs.

Attention: You can hide your growing belly from others, but it's hard not to notice changes in your health, even if the test inspires peace of mind. Most likely, there is something wrong with the pharmacy determinant if the test does not show pregnancy when there is a delay with slightly swollen breasts and a swollen abdomen with a feeling of heaviness.

There is a medical term “false pregnancy” - this is when there is no pregnancy, but the woman is sure that her belly is growing due to the presence of an embryo. This is a psychological problem, not a biological one, although sudden weight gain is sometimes regarded as such.

Married couples planning a child should not announce it to the whole world as a fait accompli unless it is confirmed by other laboratory tests and ultrasound. On the other hand, you should not turn a blind eye to a new condition when the test does not show pregnancy, but there is a delay. This phenomenon is called a “false negative” pregnancy test.

Attention: For those who are using the test for the first time, we remind you that no system can guarantee 100% reliability of the result! Any gynecologist will confirm that false positive and false negative results occur with approximately equal frequency.

Why doesn't a pregnancy test show pregnancy when there is one?

Those who are interested in why a pregnancy test does not show pregnancy after a long delay cannot be answered with complete confidence, because there are several reasons. There is no mysticism here, every phenomenon has its own reason, and almost everything can be explained:
  • a test with low sensitivity will not show the answer at a short stage of pregnancy;
  • if you ask the pharmacy for the cheapest test kit that has expired, don’t be surprised why the test doesn’t show pregnancy (quite predictably);
  • low quality goods;
  • too little reagent was applied to the test strip, which does not work on the hubbub, a different concentration is needed;
  • treatment with complex drugs has not been completed;
  • a small level of the control hormone hCG in the blood and urine (litmus did not react to it);
  • the urine into which the test is immersed is diluted (a wet glass after washing, and the day before you took diuretics or other drugs that change its concentration or hormonal levels;
  • testing was not carried out according to instructions;
  • there are diseases of the cardiovascular system or other pathologies in which hCG is present in the blood in insufficient quantities for the test sample;
  • abnormal course of pregnancy (threat of miscarriage due to hormonal imbalance);
  • ectopic pregnancy or sudden fetal death;
  • the fertilized egg did not have time to descend into the uterus (“walking” through the tubes) and gain a foothold in due time;
  • the test does not show pregnancy due to kidney pathology against the background of a completely favorable state of the genital area.
Advice: If there is any discrepancy between the test results and internal sensations, you should not look on the forums for the answer to the question “why does a pregnancy test show nothing?” Please contact your local doctor regarding this.

An exact answer can only be obtained after a comprehensive examination, but both doctors and laboratory assistants can make mistakes in the short term. If it is not possible to contact specialists in the next few hours, it is better to buy a couple more tests of different types and get tested again. Be sure to check the expiration date on the packaging.

How long can a test not show pregnancy?

Long-term practice of using pharmacy tests suggests that it is impossible to accurately predict the time frame at which they will definitely “strip.” False negative results appeared in each woman up to a certain point, then a positive response appeared.

From the same women’s forums on the topic “can a test not show pregnancy for a long time?” We'll find out different dates. Someone’s test said: “You’re pregnant!” on the first day of delay. Other expectant mothers have made sure that they are carrying a child after 2 months.

There are often cases when ladies, relying on developed intuition, had a “gut feeling” already on the night of conception. Tests of varying quality and cost only confirmed their assumptions, and at different times. But a long delay is a better indicator that it’s time to visit your “favorite doctor” than intuition, suspiciousness or groundless suspicion of pregnancy.

What to do if the test does not show pregnancy, but there is one?

On the forum, one lady shared that she always got pregnant before another man was going to leave her (there were 5 of them), but the test did not show pregnancy for a long time. However, you definitely cannot rely on such a “certainty”.

Men sometimes demand from their ladies “two-lane” proof of conception, but as luck would have it, there is none, even in the absence of menstruation. Sometimes it turns into a family drama with an attempt to catch the wife in a lie. Common sense explanations that “the test didn’t show pregnancy, but I’m definitely pregnant” are not always taken into account.

Such a “hormonal misunderstanding” even happens due to stress or chronic overwork. Statistics confirm that women more often become pregnant when there is a so-called “dark streak” in life, then, if they do not have an abortion, in a strange way everything gets better on its own. In any case, you should not smoke, take antidepressants or drink alcohol - think about the child!

In such cases, we can only advise a small educational program - with the help of our website. And then - a joint consultation between husband and wife with a specialist at the nearest medical center.

The action of home indicators is based on a change in the color of the reagent to an increased level of hCG - human chorionic gonadotropin, the main hormone that determines the development of pregnancy.

The production of this substance begins when the placenta is formed by a fertilized egg, which means that even the best pregnancy test can determine the onset of conception no earlier than on the tenth day. In the first days, the hCG level increases exponentially, but the sensitivity of the indicators in home tests will not allow you to “see” it. Special reagents can detect minimal amounts of the hormone in the blood, but such an analysis requires laboratory equipment and a special prescription from a doctor, for example, if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected.

During a multiple pregnancy, the chances of recognizing changes in the body earlier increase in direct proportion to the number of children, so the woman learns about it faster.

The most accurate pregnancy test is a laboratory examination that can not only detect the presence of the hormone in the blood, but also correctly determine its amount.

This will help to detect pregnancy problems in the early stages and take timely measures to save the life of the unborn child or mother.

Types of tests and their sensitivity

The first question that interests a woman who is planning or simply suspects upcoming changes is how many days will it take for the test to show pregnancy. You can answer accurately only depending on the type of indicator used, of which there are also many.

If we do not take into account the various manufacturers, the prevalence and popularity of certain pharmaceutical indicators, we can roughly classify four main groups according to the type of action: strips, tablets, inkjet and electronic. Read more about each of the presented types, advantages and disadvantages of use later in the article.

Test strips - common and inexpensive

The most common and inexpensive is, of course, a test in the form of a strip (you can often find the name strip test) with a reagent applied to it and easy-to-use labels.

To determine conception, it is advisable to use morning urine, in which the hCG content is maximum.

A small amount of urine is collected in a clean container, and the indicator is lowered to the mark indicated on the strip for 5–15 seconds (the exact time may vary between different manufacturers and is written on the packaging).

After this, the strip is placed on a horizontal surface and after 3-5 minutes, when the test shows pregnancy or its absence, a control and reaction line will appear in the free field. As a rule, already in the first week of the delay the result will be quite reliable. One line on a pregnancy test does not necessarily mean a negative result; it may simply not have passed enough time.

The instructions also indicate the exact location of the “main” line, so if the pregnancy test shows 2 lines, the test result will be positive.

Benefits of test strips:

  • Affordable price unlike similar options.
  • The prevalence of such tests in any pharmacy or even supermarket.
  • Simple instructions and quick results.

One of the disadvantages is the rather low sensitivity (20–30 m IU); such a test is usually done when a woman herself suspects pregnancy and just wants to make sure of it.

Also, the rules for use are not very convenient; for example, on the road, the need to collect urine in a separate container can create certain inconveniences. Usually these problems are completely solvable, but in cases where it is vital to find out about pregnancy as early as possible, it is recommended to use other types of home indicators.

Tablet - early detection

The next generation of home pregnancy tests, the sensitivity of which is much higher: from 10 to 20 m IU. It is this indicator that determines on what day the tablet test shows pregnancy.

Usually, already 10 days after conception, you can verify this important event, but it will also depend on the individual characteristics of the body and other factors, which are given below.

The use of tablet indicators has its own characteristics and advantages. In order to carry out the analysis, it is necessary to collect a couple of drops of urine in a special pipette included in the composition and place them in the control “window”.

By reacting with the substance on the surface of the indicator, the result can be seen in the second test window within a few minutes. If the answer is positive, the white surface will turn blue, and the intensity of the tone directly depends on the expected period.

The cost of a tablet test will be slightly higher than that of an indicator strip, but the period when you can do a pregnancy test will be minimal. The tablet test has few disadvantages, except that it is also inconvenient to mechanically draw urine into a pipette; again, you will need a clean container and the correct algorithm of actions.

Inkjet - ease of use

Having eliminated all the drawbacks in use, pharmaceutical companies have released a more advanced version of home indicators. The jet pregnancy test operates on the same principle as the first two tests described, but is easier to use since there is no need to collect urine. Simply place the end of the indicator under a stream of liquid when urinating, and after a minute you will know the exact result.

Depending on the manufacturer, the coveted “two stripes” either appear in the test control window or the color of the white background changes. Before use, it is better to read the instructions. Although all the actions are extremely simple and understandable, a woman can be noticeably worried and make a purely mechanical mistake.

The sensitivity of inkjet indicators is an order of magnitude higher, but so is the cost. Today, jet tests are considered the most reliable for the early diagnosis of pregnancy.

Electronic - accuracy and reliability of determination

The new sample home indicator is an electronic version. The action and principle of use are entirely borrowed from previous samples, only the method of obtaining information differs. A special window - the indicator displays only two of the possible options. Usually these are symbols: “+” or “-” or an inscription.

The result does not depend on the time of day and shows the slightest increase in hCG with an accuracy of 99%.. An electronic pregnancy test is used before a missed period, usually already on the seventh day after conception. Various manufacturers can use a unique design and the ability to preserve it beautifully and effectively as a keepsake.

Typically, the use of such tests is justified by the desire to accurately verify pregnancy or refute it. Sometimes, due to the individual characteristics of the organism, the previous options can give an ambiguous interpretation of the result.

A weak second line on a pregnancy test, characteristic symptoms with a negative result, as well as suspicion of other reasons for a positive answer - all this is a good enough reason to buy an electronic test.

The prices for this product will be significantly higher than all the tests described above, so sometimes it will be more affordable to go to a clinic where the presence of hCG will be determined even in quantitative terms.

FAQ

Even for experienced mothers with experience, using the test may raise some questions that it is inconvenient to ask the doctor about or there is not enough time. Some of them, as well as comprehensive answers, are given below.

How long after conception will the test show pregnancy?

It is recommended to use home testing already in the first week of delay (test strips), as well as at least 10 days after the date of expected conception (tablet, inkjet and electronic options). Some error in timing may be caused by the individual characteristics of a woman’s body, for example, an irregular cycle or a duration different from the average 28 days.

The great advantage of home tests is the ability to self-examine almost every day after possible conception. The most affordable tests are strip tests, but for a more reliable result it is better to use one of the other three types.

How to determine pregnancy without a test

Usually these are characteristic symptoms of pregnancy: increased fatigue, unusual food and olfactory reactions, delayed menstrual cycle and many other indicators. In some cases, pregnancy may not manifest itself at all, and even monthly menstruation will be present exactly on time. In such cases, early diagnosis can be achieved through a random examination by a gynecologist or medical interventions.

Most often, such cases are unique and the woman finds out about pregnancy in the later stages (there have been situations similar to those on the maternity table). The dangers of such ignorance include possible errors in the regimen, unwanted physical and emotional stress, as well as taking certain medications and working in conditions harmful to the unborn child.

In order to get rid of the last doubts, the best help is a laboratory blood test, a doctor’s examination and, if necessary, an ultrasound examination. These events will help you reliably find out about the upcoming replenishment or identify other reasons for changes in hormonal levels.

Can a pregnancy test be wrong?

It is completely natural for a woman who has received one or another result to doubt its authenticity. Errors in using the test range from 3 to 7%, which is already a serious reason for re-analysis. Indicators especially suffer from this – strips, the sensitivity of which is far from perfect.

Possible causes of testing error:

  • incorrect use of the test;
  • stitched or low-quality reagent;
  • insignificant hormone content;
  • other reasons for increased hCG;
  • individual characteristics.

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In any case, if the reaction to hCG is positive, the next step is to go to a specialist and carry out further necessary tests, which are included in the mandatory monitoring protocol for pregnant women.

Can a test fail to show pregnancy?

This option occurs more often than manufacturers claim. The reason may be low quality of products, as well as a simply short period of time.

Usually, information on what day to take a pregnancy test is indicated on the package, but if there is the slightest doubt about the result, the optimal solution would be to repeat it a few days later.

Does the test show an ectopic pregnancy?

This question can be answered in two ways: on the one hand, the fertilized egg already releases the above hormone into the woman’s body. On the other hand, its content is several times less than during a normal pregnancy and may simply not be noticed by many indicators.

A negative pregnancy test in itself cannot confirm an ectopic pregnancy, but at the slightest suspicion, you should immediately consult a doctor.

This condition is a very threatening factor, primarily for a woman’s life, so early diagnosis will avoid complications.

For an ectopic pregnancy, a hospital stay, regular monitoring of hCG levels in the blood and additional ultrasound examinations are usually prescribed. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, surgery and surgical termination are performed. Modern devices - laparoscopes - will allow you to quickly and relatively efficiently perform the procedure for removing the fertilized egg. Unlike emergency measures, including abdominal surgery, such methods will preserve the fallopian tubes and further chances for a woman to have a successful pregnancy.

A pregnancy test at home is an excellent option for determining pregnancy in the early stages. The use of such an indicator does not require special skills and is extremely simple and accessible. Quick results and the ability to carry out countless times are the main advantages of this option. From what period the test indicates pregnancy is usually indicated on the package and depends on the sensitivity of the reagent.

If you feel unwell and suspect another possible cause of high hormone levels, it is advisable to contact an antenatal clinic for further examination.

No less important will be regular examination by a doctor, as well as special tests to confirm the successful course of pregnancy.

Maria Sokolova


Reading time: 9 minutes

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Every woman will agree that the use of such a “wise” invention as a test to determine pregnancy is always preceded by very strong excitement. This test can be used at home or on the road, at any time that is convenient for you, eliminating your worries and the question that arises as to whether pregnancy has occurred.

But are these tests always so true? Can their results be trusted? And are there any mistakes?

False negative result - when does this happen?

As the long-term practice of using tests to determine pregnancy shows, False negative results happen quite often - i.e., when pregnancy occurs, the tests stubbornly show one line.

And the point is not at all that this or that company produces “defective” or low-quality tests - other factors also influence the determination of the most truthful result, in particular, the conditions for using pregnancy tests.

But let's take everything in order.

In many ways, the reliability of the result depends on its quality - and correct, timely application. Literally everything can affect the result: from banal non-compliance with instructions to pathology of fetal development.

In any case, when your menstruation is delayed for more than a week, and the test shows a negative result, you have a significant reason visit a gynecologist !

Video: How to choose a pregnancy test - medical recommendations

Reason #1: Test done too early

The very first and most common reason for obtaining a false negative result when using a pregnancy test is very early testing.

Normally, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) already increases significantly by the date of the expected next menstruation, which makes it possible to accurately determine the fact of pregnancy. But sometimes this indicator remains low in the first weeks of a woman’s pregnancy, and then the test shows a negative result.

When in doubt, the woman should repeat the test a few days later, and it is advisable to use a test from another company.

Every woman knows the expected date of her next menstruation - unless, of course, she has a pathology accompanied by menstrual irregularities. But even with a normal cycle can be moved very much in time to the beginning of the cycle - or to its end.

There are rare exceptions when ovulation occurs on the days when menstruation begins - this is influenced by various factors or pathological processes in the woman’s body. If ovulation occurs quite late, then by the first days after the date of the previously expected menstruation, the level of hCG in a woman’s urine can be very low, and a test to determine pregnancy will show a false negative result.

When pregnancy occurs, hCG appears in a woman’s blood almost immediately. After a few days, this hormone can be detected in the urine, but in a relatively small concentration.

If we talk about timing, then human chorionic gonadotropin is detected in the blood a week after conception, and in the urine 10 days - two weeks after conception.

Important to keep in mind that the level of hCG after the onset of pregnancy in its earliest stages increases approximately twice in 1 day, but after 4-5 weeks from conception this figure drops, since the developing placenta of the embryo takes on the function of producing the necessary hormones.

Women's opinion:

Oksana:

When my period was 2 days late, as well as indirect signs of a long-awaited pregnancy (burning and sensitivity of the nipples, drowsiness, nausea), I took a test to determine pregnancy, it turned out to be positive. That same week I went to the gynecologist, she prescribed me the necessary examination and an additional test to determine pregnancy by hCG in the blood. It turned out that I took this test two weeks after the expected date of my next period, and the result turned out to be doubtful, that is, hCG = 117. It turned out that my pregnancy did not develop, but froze in the early stages.

Marina:

When I was pregnant with my daughter, after a missed period, I immediately took a test, the result was positive. Then I went to the gynecologist, he prescribed an hCG blood test. A week later, the gynecologist told me to undergo blood hCG again - the first and second results were low. The doctor suggested that the pregnancy was not developing and told me to retake the test again in a week. Only when the pregnancy was more than 8 weeks old did the hCG increase, and they listened to the heartbeat on an ultrasound and determined that the fetus was developing normally. It’s too early to draw conclusions from the first analysis, especially if you use tests at home, or if your pregnancy is still too short.

Julia:

My friend, getting ready to celebrate her birthday, bought a test to be sure whether she could drink alcohol or not. According to the timing then, this day coincided with the day of the expected menstruation. The test showed a negative result. The birthday was celebrated noisily, with copious libations, and then a delay was discovered. A week later, the BBtest showed a positive result, which was later confirmed by a visit to the gynecologist. It seems to me that in any case, a woman who suspects pregnancy should do a couple of tests at intervals to make sure of the presence or absence of pregnancy.

Reason #2: Bad urine

The second common reason for obtaining a false negative test result during pregnancy is the use of highly dilute urine . Diuretics and excessive fluid intake greatly reduce the concentration of urine, and therefore the test reagent cannot detect the presence of hCG in it.

To obtain reliable results, pregnancy testing must be carried out in the morning, when the concentration of hCG in the urine increases very much, and at the same time, in the evening, do not take a lot of fluids and diuretics, and do not eat watermelon.

After a few weeks, the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin is so high that tests accurately detect it even in highly dilute urine.

Women's opinion:

Olga:

Yes, I had this happen too – I got pregnant in the heat of the day. I was very thirsty, I drank literally liters, plus watermelons. When I discovered a slight delay of 3-4 days, I used the test that a friend recommended to me as the most accurate - “Clear Blue”, the result was negative. As it turned out, the result turned out to be false, because a visit to the gynecologist dispelled all my doubts - I was pregnant.

Yana:
I suspect that it was exactly the same for me - drinking a lot of water affected the test results, they were negative until the 8th week of pregnancy. It’s good that at that moment I was planning and expecting a pregnancy without drinking alcohol or taking antibiotics, but otherwise a negative result could be cruelly deceiving. And the baby’s health will be at risk...

Reason #3: Test used incorrectly

If important basic rules were violated when using a pregnancy test, the result may also be false negative.

Each test is accompanied by detailed instructions, in most cases with pictures, which will help you avoid mistakes when using it.

Every test that is sold in our country must have instructions in Russian .

There is no need to rush during the testing process; it is very important to carefully and scrupulously complete all the most important points in order to obtain the most reliable result.

Women's opinion:

Nina:

A friend bought me a test at my request, it turned out to be “ClearBlue”. The instructions are clear, but I, having decided to use the test immediately, did not read it, and almost ruined the inkjet test, since I had never encountered anything like this before.

Marina:

I believe that tablet tests require special care - if it says to add 3 drops of urine, then accurately measure this amount. Of course, many girls expecting pregnancy want to pour more into the “window” so that the test shows pregnancy for sure - but you all know that this is self-deception.

Reason #4: Problems with the excretory system

Obtaining a negative test result during pregnancy is influenced by various pathological processes in the woman’s body and diseases.

Thus, with some kidney diseases, the level of hCG in the urine of pregnant women does not increase. If protein is present in a woman’s urine as a result of pathological conditions, then a pregnancy test may also show a false negative result.

If, after collecting urine, a woman for some reason cannot test for pregnancy immediately, the urine portion should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 48 hours.

If the urine was stale after standing for one to two days in a warm place at room temperature, then the test results may be false negative.

Women's opinion:

Svetlana:

I had this happen during early pregnancy toxicosis, when I already knew for sure that I was pregnant. I was prescribed a test to check the level of hormones in my blood, as well as a hCG test, which turned out that I was not pregnant at all, just like that! Even earlier, I was diagnosed with chronic pyelonephritis, so from the very beginning of pregnancy I went through a lot with the tests - that is, pregnancy, or not according to the tests, I no longer believed in myself. But everything ended well, I have a daughter!

Galina:

I became pregnant just after I suffered from severe bronchitis. Apparently, the body was so weakened that before 6 weeks of pregnancy, both “Frau” and “Bi-Shur” showed a negative result (2 times each, at 2 and 5 weeks of pregnancy). By the way, at the 6th week of pregnancy, the Frau test was the first to show a positive result, and Bi-Shur continued to lie...

Reason No. 5: Pathology of pregnancy development

In some cases, a false negative pregnancy test result occurs due to an ectopic pregnancy.

An incorrect pregnancy testing result can also be obtained with early threats of miscarriage, with an abnormally developing pregnancy, etc.

If the fertilized egg is improperly or weakly attached to the wall of the uterus, as well as with some concomitant pathological factors affecting the formation of the placenta, the test may show a false negative result due to chronic placental insufficiency of the fetus.

Women's opinion:

Julia:

I took a pregnancy test when I was only one week late. To be honest, at first I was guilty of a defective test from the “Be Sure” brand, because two stripes appeared, but one of them was very weak, barely visible. The next day I didn’t calm down and bought the Evitest test - the same thing, two stripes, but one of them is barely visible. I went to the doctor right away and they sent me for a blood hCG test. It turned out to be an ectopic pregnancy, and the fertilized egg was attached at the exit of the tube. I believe that if the results are questionable, you should immediately consult a doctor, since in some situations, delay really is “like death.”

Anna:

And my false negative test result showed a frozen pregnancy at 5 weeks. The fact is that I was tested 1 day before the expected date of my period - the Frautest test showed two confident lines. I saw a doctor, had an examination - everything was fine. Since I am 35 years old and this is my first pregnancy, we did an ultrasound at the very beginning - everything is fine. But before the next appointment with the gynecologist, out of curiosity, I decided to test the remaining and unused copy of the test - it showed a negative result. Considering this a mistake, I went to the doctor - the next examination showed that the fertilized egg had collapsed, had a non-round shape, and the pregnancy had not developed since 4 weeks...

Reason #6: Improper dough storage

If a pregnancy test is purchased at a pharmacy, you can rest assured that its storage conditions are correctly observed.

It's another matter if the test is already expired , lay at home for a long time, was exposed to temperature changes or stored in high humidity, bought secondhand in a random place - in this case, there is a high probability that it will be unable to show a reliable result.

When purchasing tests, even in pharmacies, you should check its expiration date .

Women's opinion:

Larisa:

I would like to express my outrage at the Factor-med “VERA” tests. Flimsy strips that fall apart in your hands and you don’t want to believe them! When I urgently needed a test to determine pregnancy, the pharmacy only found these, so I had to take it. Although it was not expired, it was sold in a pharmacy - it initially looked like it had already been altered. As confirmed by control testing, which I carried out a few days after the VERA test, the result showed correctly - I am not pregnant. But these strips look such that after them you want to conduct another test to finally find out the truth.

Marina:

So you're in luck! And this test showed me two stripes when I was most afraid of it. I must say that I spent many unpleasant minutes of agonizing wait for the correct result. It’s time for the company to sue for moral damages!

Olga:

I join the opinions of the girls! This is a test for those who love thrills, nothing less.

Reason No. 7: Poor quality and defective tests

Products from different pharmaceutical companies vary greatly in quality, and therefore the results of different tests performed at the same time can vary dramatically.

To obtain reliable results, you should use tests not once, but two or more times, every few days, or better yet, buy tests from different companies.

By the way, when buying a test to determine pregnancy, there is no need to be guided by the rule “the more expensive, the better” - the price of the test itself in the pharmacy does not in any way affect the reliability of the result obtained.

Women's opinion:

Christina:

One time I was deceived by a test that I, in general, trusted more than others - “BIOCARD”. After a delay of 4 days, it showed two bright stripes, and I went to my doctor. As it turned out, there was no pregnancy - this was confirmed by an ultrasound, a blood test for hCG, and the menstruation that came later...

Maria:

Since I live with my boyfriend, I somehow decided to buy several VERA tests at once to have at home. I'll tell you right away. That I never used pregnancy tests, since we protected ourselves with condoms. And then curiosity pulled me to use the test three days before the start of my period. I took the test and almost fainted because it clearly showed two lines! We weren’t planning on having children yet, so what happened was a bolt from the blue for my boyfriend as well. The next day I bought the Evitest test - one strip, hurray! And my period came the next day.

Inna:

And I came across a defective “Ministrip” test. After carrying out the procedure, I saw on the test not one stripe... and not two stripes... But a dirty pink spot that spread over the entire surface of the stick. I immediately realized that the test was not up to par, but before the control testing I still felt a chill of fear - what if I was pregnant?