What Should I Do If My Pregnancy Test Is Negative but I Feel Pregnant?

Did you get a negative pregnancy result back but still feel like you may be pregnant? It can be confusing, and getting the clarity you need is important.

While home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate, it is possible to get a false negative on a pregnancy test. In this blog, we share what to do if your pregnancy test is negative, but you still feel pregnant. You are not alone.

How Pregnancy Testing Works

Taking a pregnancy test with all the nerves that come with an unexpected pregnancy can be overwhelming. Do your best to take it one step at a time.

A pregnancy test works to detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, in your urine. A home pregnancy test is simple and typically easy to follow, where you can find the directions somewhere on the box you picked up from your local pharmacy.  

Reasons Why You May Have Gotten a False Negative

There are a couple of reasons why you may have received a false negative pregnancy test results, including the following: 

1. You took a test at the wrong time: Timing is key when it comes to pregnancy testing.  Taking a test later in the day can give you false results, as well as taking a pregnancy too soon in your pregnancy. 
2. You read your results too soon: While it may seem minor, you could have read the results too soon. Read the directions on how long to wait before reading your pregnancy test results. 

The Mayo Clinic shares that the best time to take a pregnancy test is at least one day after your missed period. Waiting this amount of time will give your body time to produce a detectable amount of hCG. 

It’s recommended to take a pregnancy test first thing in the morning, as your urine is most concentrated at this time of day, making it easier to detect hCG.

Take Another Pregnancy Test

Schedule a free pregnancy test appointment at Life Center today to be sure of your pregnancy test results. If you receive a positive pregnancy test with us, we’re here to help you with your next steps.

We are ready to meet with you and offer free and confidential support on this journey. You are not alone.