Can I REALLY have a positive result on a pregnancy test and not actually be pregnant?
Many of our patients assume that if they take a pregnancy test and the result is positive that they are pregnant. However, that may not always be the case. Let us explain.
During pregnancy, your body produces the hormone called hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). This is the hormone measured by pregnancy tests. If hCG is detected during pregnancy testing, the result should read positive.
How can you get a positive result on a pregnancy test if you are not actually pregnant? If a woman has recently experienced a miscarriage, the hCG hormone may still be present in her body up to several weeks after the miscarriage. In addition, after a woman gives birth, the hCG hormone typically remains in her body until about five weeks afterwards. Both of these scenarios could cause a false result on a pregnancy test.
Additionally, there is always the possibility of human error when performing home pregnancy tests. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Most pregnancy tests require you to let the test set for 3-5 minutes. If the test is left beyond the recommended set time, this could produce a false test result.
The only way to confirm a positive result on a pregnancy test is through ultrasound. The ultrasound confirms pregnancy by detecting the following:
- A gestational sac with a yolk sac (a sac of fluid that surrounds the baby in early pregnancy, an indication of early pregnancy).
- The presence of a measurable human fetal heartbeat.
- If the pregnancy is developing within the uterus. If the human fetus is developing, outside of the uterus, this is called an extrauterine pregnancy and immediate medical attention is required.
Your Options Medical offers lab-quality pregnancy tests at no cost to you. These medical-grade tests are 99% accurate, can detect pregnancy as early as 7-10 days from conception and are administered by trained professionals.
If you or someone you know have recently taken a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound is the next step before making a pregnancy decision; it will determine if a decision needs to be made. To learn more about ultrasound, check out our blog.
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I was pregnant for 19weeks but discovered the fetus died at 13weeks. The evacuation processes started 29th December 2022 and was completed 3rd January 2023 cos I gave birth to the dead fetus. Am still have light bleeding/spotting till date. I did home test and I have a faint positive line. Does dis mean that hcg is still present? If I go for a blood test will it come and negative if the urine test is a false positive?
Hi Monica,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical.
First I want to say I am so sorry for your loss and for all that you have gone through. If you ever need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out. Again, I’m so very sorry! My deepest condolences to you and your family.
To answer your question, hCG typically remains in a woman’s body approximately five weeks after delivery so it is likely that you are getting positive pregnancy test results because there is probably still hCG in you body. A blood test can show the count of hCG in your body to help your doctor determine if you are pregnant or not. You could try taking a urine pregnancy test again in about a week. If the test is negative, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
I gave birth on December 29 but lost the baby and after 41 days, I had a sex again with my partner, using home pregnancy test now is showing negative and at time I feel weak and anytime I eat I feel to vomit. pls I need some clarification for this.
Hi Blessing,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
First, I want to say I am so sorry for your loss. If you need to talk with someone, please feel free to reach out.
I cannot diagnose you. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
I gave birth on December 29 but lost the baby and after 41 days, I had a sex again with my partner, using home pregnancy test now is showing negative and at time I feel weak and anytime I eat I feel to vomit. pls I need some clarification for this.
Hi Blessing,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
First, I want to say I am so sorry for your loss. If you need to talk with someone, please feel free to reach out.
I cannot diagnose you. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
Good evening I gave birth November 2022 but the home kit is showing a positive lost the child few hours after delivery could it be that am pregnant or is it that I still have pregnancy hormone in the system is just 3 months and is through CS
Hi Ella,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical.
First, I want to say I am so sorry for your loss! If you ever want someone to talk to or need any resources as you walk through this time, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Typically, hCG (the pregnancy hormone detected by pregnancy tests) stays in a woman’s system approximately 5 weeks after delivery. At his point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
Hi,
My last period was January 6. I took 3 home pregnancy test which all came out negative. On February 15th I decided to take a blood test since I have a regular period and it was just odd how i had not gotten it even after the negative test. The blood test came back positive. My first appointment was March 14, and I was told that there was no signs of a fetus in my uterus. I was sent to have a couple test done including Bhcg which also came back negative. I also had another blood test done which came out negative. I have not bled and still confused as to how I got a positive test and now a negative.
I was asked to get another ultrasound done to which I was told I had a cysts that had ruptured on my left. The doctor then prescribed some meds to induce my period. I am so confused with the entire situation.
Hi Claudia,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
I am so sorry for your situation and the confusion you have been experiencing.
To answer your question, there are a few different possibilities as to why you had a positive and then a negative pregnancy test: you may have had a natural miscarriage. Since you are currently under a doctor’s care, it would be good to have a consultation with either your OB/GYN or your primary care physician to discuss your health.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
Hi,
We lost our baby on the 19th week and delivered on 7th January. Got 1st period on 15th February lasted 5 days. Now 26th march, I can see faint lines in home pregnancy test. Not sure is it from earlier pregnancy remaining in the system or I am pregnant. Worried. Have lower abdomen pains.
Your help would be appreciated.
Regards.
Hi Vijaya,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical.
First, I am so very sorry for your loss! If you ever need someone to talk with, please do not hesitate to reach out!
To answer your question, hCG (the pregnancy hormone) typically stays in a woman’s system approximately five weeks after delivery. It is possible that you might be pregnant. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
I was pregnant for 2 months but on April 26 a lot of blood was taken, I was bleeding for 4 days so I assume that I had a miscarriage then the pregnancy symptoms also disappeared but then after a month my period has not returned and the pregnancy test was also positive. What should I do? Please help me.
Hi Lavina,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
First, I am so sorry for all that you have been through. If you ever need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out. Call or Text 508.251.9022.
To answer your question, it is possible you may have had a miscarriage but it is also possible that you could be pregnant. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
Hello! I gave birth at 27 weeks 04/19/23 and lost my baby 6 days later on his daddy’s 30th! It’s been 3 weeks since I gave birth and my bleeding stopped a little before 2 weeks PP and my husband and I had a drunk night and did the deed and today 05/11/23 I took a pregnancy and got a pretty distinct positive. Could I be pregnant or could it be a false positive!?
Hi Belle,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
First, I am so very sorry for your loss! My deepest condolences to you and your family. If you ever need to speak with someone, please do not hesitate to reach out: Call or Text 508.251.9022.
To answer your question: typically hCG (the pregnancy hormone detected by pregnancy tests) stays in a woman’s system approximately 5 weeks post-partum. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN