Some of these reasons may include:
A medication you were taking interacted with the test. You didn’t follow the instructions correctly. You simply want to take another test. You tested before your period was due and are uncertain of the results. Your results don’t match your physical symptoms.
All of these are perfectly valid reasons for repeating a pregnancy test, but what is the ideal amount of time between pregnancy tests?
Follow the Pregnancy Test’s Instructions
Most pregnancy tests include instructions that encourage you to wait at least one week between a negative test and taking another pregnancy test. This is to allow time for your body to build up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to be detected in your urine. You may choose to test before the week is up, knowing that hCG nearly doubles every 48 hours. This is not harmful to anything other than your wallet. Though you may continue to get a negative result until your body builds up enough hCG to turn the test positive if you are pregnant. It may be difficult to tolerate emotionally and may lead you to take chances with your potential pregnancy, like drinking because you had a negative pregnancy test, even though you may still be pregnant.
Common Issue: Testing Too Early
Some pregnancy tests advertise that they will be accurate the day that your period is due. Others boast they can have a positive result before you even miss your period. The truth is, now that pregnancy tests have become so inexpensive, many women will test earlier in their cycle than is recommended in order to get an answer sooner. The problem with testing sooner is that the pregnancy test that you take is less reliable. This is not because pregnancy tests are inaccurate but rather there simply isn’t enough hCG to turn the test positive. The pregnancy test still does what it says it will—detect hCG in certain amounts. And your body is doing what it is supposed to do, make hCG. It’s just that the amount you’ve excreted and the amount that a pregnancy test detects are at two different levels.
If You Don’t Want to Wait Before Re-testing
The week between the original pregnancy test and the next test is often too much to bear. This leads to many people testing before the end of the week is up. A few things can happen:
You take the test and it’s positive, so you go get prenatal care.You take the test and it’s negative, so you wait to retest again.You take the test and it’s negative, so you test daily until you either get a positive or until you see your practitioner.
Do not drive yourself crazy taking too many pregnancy tests. The costs can add up, even if you are using inexpensive pregnancy tests. There are also mental and emotional costs of seeing a negative pregnancy test are also something to consider.
Unexplained Negative Pregnancy Tests
If you continue to get a negative pregnancy test after a week and you have still not started your period, it is wise to have a physical exam by your doctor or midwife to ensure that you are healthy. There are other things that can be going on besides pregnancy when it comes to a late period. Your practitioner can help you sort that out with a physical exam.
Seeking Help from Your Doctor or Midwife
You may also wish to consult with your midwife or doctor about having a blood pregnancy test drawn. Sometimes there are specific things that only a blood test can tell you. Your medical care team can help you determine how long you should wait to take another pregnancy test or if a blood pregnancy test would be beneficial in your specific case. Not everyone needs a blood pregnancy test, which is looking for the same hormones. Though there are reasons why you might have a negative test but still have all the symptoms of pregnancy.
