False-Negative Pregnancy Tests

I have a similar issue with a store brand test. I have a doctor's appt. coming up, so I plan on waiting to see then. Good luck!

*Sorry; this was my first post and I see I said the same thing as a lot of other women and that you have already seen your doctor. Please disregard my response!! Good luck.

Hi, Laura. I am currently 36 weeks pregnant. I received my first false negative for my pregnancy about four days after my period was due. Like you, I was as regular as a clock--almost to the hour! Several phone calls to my gyn and my sister, who is a nurse, resulted in the same advice: wait and take another test in a few days or a week but don't expect to be pregnant as the tests are extremely accurate. Well, I took three pregnancy tests over the course of a few weeks and all were negative. A month later, concerned that I had had light spotting but no period, I decided on a whim to take a fourth pregnancy test. Guess what? Positive. The fifth and the sixth were also positive. I tried different brands but did not invest in the more expensive brands; I figured that the generic should work as well as the name brands. (I think I used First Response the second time.) There did not appear to be any problems with my HCG levels, which I had feared when I received so many false negatives. My levels were doubling each day and everyone was very surprised that so many tests had given me the wrong result. My advice would be to wait a few more days and then take another test. It gets expensive, but if you think you're pregnant, then another thirty bucks or so will give you peace of mind. Best of luck!

I would wait 3 days and test again with first morning urine, most tests don't require it but it does have the highest concentration of HCG.

The best test that I've read about and found is First Response Early Result...I would avoid the plus sign tests with blue dyes, they have a lot of problems.

If you have spent a few days stressing about it, you could very well cause a dely in your cycle, the littlest things effect it.

Good luck!

Yep use the digital....It is slightly more sensitive to the HCG hormone present in your system....The digital is right on target..."Pregnant" "Not Pregnant". Very accurate...I've used it.

YOu probably are pg but the tests only show up to 20 ml of HCG and most only show 25 HCG levels. You would need a blood test from a dr office to confrim you hcg level it could be 14 and would not show up on the home tests. When levels are low then you need help from your drs like you need some supplemetnation like progeterone to keep and help support the pregnancy etc. there can be many ways to help low hcg number and sometimes they start off slow and then do just fine. Call you dr if you want and ask for the blood test not another pee test
good luck fingers crossed!
J.

To be a false negative you would have to have HCG hormones in your blood and it not catch that. Many women say they get false-negatives but then found out they were pregnant later. The thing is the tests, test for HCG-that comes AFTER the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall. There is not test that can tell you your pregnant before this. The tests work-your just not implanted with the fertilized egg yet. (so there is nothing for the test to read, hence its working right)
I would say a false-negative isn't as that likely with a First Response Early Response test (this are the gold standard home pregnancy tests and are the most sensitive!).....you could be pregnant but the your body isn't releasing HCG for the test to pick up yet. The fertilized eggs need to implant in your uterine lining for your body to then kick out the HCG hormone. There is a chance your egg just hasn't gotten there yet. The typical implantation occurs 10-12 days after its fertilized. So I would just make sure your using your first morning urine and keep testing till aunt flo shows up. I hope she doesn't!!!
On a slim note---if you start having bad lower stomach pains-go straight to the ER-you could have an ectopic pregancy (where the fertilized egg got stuck in the fallopian tube). These are very serious and need surgery.

Good luck with trying to conceive! We are also trying right now.
A.

According to consumer reports, first response is the most accurate of all the tests on the market. I have tried most of them and I think that is true. There are millions of reasons why your menstration could be a little off - including stress. The moment you really want to get pregnant all bets are off regarding regularity of menstration. A few more days will likely tell you whether you are pregnant or not.

Hi Laura,
My advice to you would be to wait a week and take the test again. I had a similar thing happen to me with my first pregnancy. I too am very regular, and the day my period was due I had spotting unlike anything I had ever had before. I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I talked to my MD and she smiled and said wait a week and take it again. Sure enough it was positive.
Good luck!
V.

I had the same thing happen to me with all four of my pregnancies. I guess some women are just slower to produce detecable levels of the pregnancy hormone. My doctor always recommended waiting a few days and then retesting. Each time I got a faint second line the next time I tested. My experience has been that First Response is actually the best. Sometimes you just have to wait a few days longer. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Although I did not experience this myself, I have had numerous clients over the years mention false negative results from First Response. One of my clients had taken seven First Response tests over the course of a couple of weeks - all with negative results. Following her instincts, she made an appointment with her OB and found out she was in fact pregnant. I would definitely try another brand if you aren't yet ready to make an appointment. Best of luck!

I do not remember what pregnancy test I was using at the time, but I recall that I got two negatives. I had the symptoms of being pregnant, but unlike you, my cycle is not like clockwork. I am all over the place. But, I waited another week of not getting my period, and BINGO, there was that plus sign (or whatever).
GOOD LUCK! I hope you are pregnant! I am nervous about trying for number 2. I have heard of a lot of people having more troubles the second time around.

I had a negative test the day my period was due. It wasn't positive until a few days after my period was due. It also was a very faint line, but I took it again a few days later and it was clearly positive.

Absolutely. False-negatives happen. Happened to me both times. I was in Vegas when my period was due and I went and bought a test to see. I took the test, negative. Then, I had some spotting and I was like, "Cool. Period is here so I can relax and have a drink." I ended up having like two drinks for the next two days. The spotting stopped and when I got home I thought, "heck I'll take a test for the hell of it." Big fat positive. Jacob just turned 3. :)

Second time, same thing. Took the test when my period was due. Nothing. Waited two days and took it again there was a VERY very faint line. My DH said he couldn't even see it. But, I knew I was pregnant. I went out and bought a digital one and took the test and gave it to DH. No denying it then. Ryan will be 1 in August.

Both tests were taken when I was due for my period but it didn't show up right away. I wasn't as accurate as you are with charting and such, though. I knew when it was a good time to be ovulating and we were very "active" during that time.

And I used First Response for my testing. There is a cool site (www.peeonastick.com) that has a TON of information on pregnancy tests and their detection abilities. Seriously, go to that site. And, I'll cross my fingers for you. :)

I had a false negative when I was pregnant with my daughter. I tried both EPT and 1st Response. My ob-gyn said that some woman just don't have enough of the hormone for them. I was a little shocked by that considering I was over 2 weeks late when I took a second pregnancy test before going to the doctor. I would definitely wait a little longer and try again though. 7 months is a while to be trying, so your body may be feeling your stress. I know I am in the same boat, we have been trying for almost a year for #2. Good Luck!

Hasn't happen to me but it did with my sister. She took 5 pregnancy tests and they all came back negative. It wasn't until she went to the doctor and they did a blood test. Her levels just weren't high enough at the time to make the at home tests turn positive. This happens alot women. My sister was defiantly pregnant and she now has a 5 y/o and 2 y/o.

I call the digital tests the "idiot stick" because frankly with both pregnancies I couldn't see the line, but was overdue. I needed it to say "pregnant" or "not pregnat" so I could know for sure. (Plus, when you want to be pregnant, and the little test tells you you are, it's more fun than just a line.)

I know it's all based on the same test, but sometimes those lines are very hard to see, especially if you really want one to be there. Wait a day or two and test again. I think I finally got the results I suspected after being about 3 days late.

Good luck to you!

I had a friend who recently took a pregnancy test and it was negative. 5 days later when she still didn't start her period she took it again and it was positive. It's totally possible.

Unfortunately all there is to do is wait. Unless you want to spend a fortune on every brand of pregnancy test you can until you get one that says positive but I don't recommend it. It's still so early. And all those negatives won't feel good psychologically. You are obviously a planner (me too) so waiting truly is the hardest part. Surrender yourself to the next several days of hopeful curiosity. Enjoy the mystery of it all.

Good luck!
E.
Evanston

I am 8 weeks pregnant now and the first test was negative. Wait a week and take another. You just might have taken it too soon. Good luck to you and I love you are pregnant!!!!

Laura,
I tested negative for about 2 weeks past when I should have had my period. I even went to the docs and had a test after one week. I was confident I was pregnant due to the symptoms I was having. I even tested negative at the docs. I was almost 2weeks late when I finally tested positive. I knew when I had possibly gotten pregnant and when I could not as my hubby had gone out of the country on a mission trip. Finally 2 weeks after I tested positive but my levels were low. I also was having some cramping. After seeing the ob doc they did a progesterone level. My progesterone level. I likely would have lost the baby if they had not tested for it. I'd suggest waiting a few more days or even gettign a blood test foro HCG at the docs.
Take Care,
M.

you can very well have a false negative on an at home test, but your period can also be late because of the stress of trying to conceive. stress can change alot of things in your body and sometimes just the waiting to get pregnant and getting negative results again and again can throw your body off wack. wait it out a little and test again in about a week if you still don't get it. when i tried to have my 1st i we tried for 1 full year before it finally happened and i missed my period for a full month 2x in that year. the waiting is horrible but now i have 2 kids and one on the way. good luck and keep your spirits up

Yep, same thing happened with my first child. I was pretty regular and took the test after no period, negative. I kept waiting and waiting, no period and negative results. I didn't know what was going on. I'd never been pregnant, so I didn't even know what I should be feeling. I was 6 weeks already before he showed up on a test. I'm not sure if I wasn't pregnant and then somewhere after we stopped trying and were just having fun, I got pregnant or if I was getting false postives. I always measured that he was concieved while we were "trying". Wait a few days and test again. Maybe your levels just aren't high enough right now. I do have a very happy and HEALTHY child, just slow to show up for the test! I wish you the best!

Hi Laura, you may get a regular period for up to 2 month while your body will respond and produce HCG in the level which can be detected by pregnancy test. I don't think any test can detect it in the early stage when you have period.Is your period lighter then normal? if yes, then possibly your body is trying to implante the product of conception. Of course, you will not know rigth away it conception was successfull. You can try to check basal temp every morning before getting up. If you are pregnant indeed the temp will stay above 100 for the intire time even after the period will be over.
I had similar situation with my daughter. I had period for 2 month and only on 3rd I was able to detect pregnancy. Good luck to you and I hope this info will be helpfull to you.

I.

I got a positive on my home pregnancy test and a negative at the test my doctor gave me. I was pregnant! So it is possible you are pregnant. Just give it a few days and take the test again.

With both of my pregnancys I tried to test a day after my period and got a negative. It wasn't until a week or two later that it turned positive which totally surprsied me. I tried different brand tests too. I would wait a week and test again.

This early on your HcG levels may be too low to detect on certain tests. I've had my best result with the digital tests (I believe the one out there is by Clear Blue besides generic & I don't like the digital generic tests). Since it is so early on too, I would also suggest taking the test with your first pee (urine) in the morning. Don't stress about it though, that can make you late. Also, remember, sometimes when you really want to be pregnant, you think you have the symptoms more because you want it. I know it's easier said than done, but try and relax. (believe me, I'm about to go through our second round of trying, so I know how hard it can be to just relax, but I found that once we did was when we conceived).

Hi Laura,

Just try another test....

Good Luck

Mrs. Maul

Hello! With my second child, I was sure I was pregnant and took a test and it came back negative. My period was due a couple days after I took the test. I took it again in a couple days and again negative. I waited 3 more days, and it was positive. So, it does happen and you might just be a little to early for the hormone levels to show up. And, from what I have heard, it is possible to get a false negative, but not a false positive.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

Hi Laura,
It's to soon to take the test. Wait at least 2 to 3 days or call your Dr. for a blood test.

Hi Laura,

My best friend went through the same situation that you are going through. Before my friend gave birth to her first son she was having the symptoms of being pregnant, but she took 7 tests to find out and they all came back negative. She then went to her doctor to have them take a pregnancy test (urine) and it came up negative as well, but then she had them take a blood test to find out and she was 9 weeks pregnant. She has gone through this with all four of her pregnancies. So if I were you I would go to your doctor and ask them to take blood to find out if your pregnant.

Good luck
M.

With my daughter, I had TWO false positives at the time of my missed period, and one of those was at a doctor's office!

Give it a few more days, try again, and then see what happens. If you still test negative and don't get your period, then call your doctor.

*Didn't have time to read other responses--due to my two kids!--Sorry if I'm repeating!*

I had a negative preganancy yest with my daughter when my period was due--I waited 3 days like the directions told me & took another test & there was only a very faint positive---my daughter is now 31 months old so yes I think your body produces the hcg hormone so little in the beginning that if you feel as if you are, go & get a blood test at the doctor which will give you a for sure result especially after your period was due.

lol, as much as you probably don't want to hear it -- time will tell! :D if you're like clockwork, it certainly sounds like you're pregnant and the test didn't pick it up. maybe because implantation happened a little later than usual? it could also just be a false negative. it could also be that you got pregnant, but that it wasn't viable and so your hcg levels are decreasing, which would cause a neg. test. wait a day or two and test again if no period. best of luck, and i guess here's your first test in patience with the new baby! :)

with my first, i was very regular 28 days cycle, i took 4 tests in 4 days before it showed up on the 31st day. 2nd baby showed up right away and the third (periods weren't regular because i was still nursing 2nd, so i don't know for sure what day i skipped) but the test was so faintly positive i thought i was imagining it. so i got another one that said the words pregnant/not pregnant (don't know the brand) and it was for sure positive.

so bottom line, take another one or wait a few days...i know, it's impossible to wait :) but maybe your hormomes are harder to detect like mine.

I always used a generic brand. I would use first urine in the morning too. I also had false negatives because I was taking the test too early.

I know it's hard to wait, good luck!

I used First Response as well and got a negative the first time I took it. I think it became positive 3-5 days after my missed period. Try it again in a few days and see what happens.

Good luck! I hope it's positive :-)

It may be too early for the pregnancy test to detect it yet, that happened with my first baby. I took 2 tests that said no and my doctor told me to wait a few days and take another because the hormones may not be strong enough yet for a pregnancy test to detect. I waited about 4 or 5 days and took another and it came out positive. I would wait at least 3 or 4 days or so and try again. I always had success with Clearblue Easy test or EPT. Good luck!