Here's whether you should contact a doctor after a positive home pregnancy test
Whether it's a planned pregnancy or not, the first step of parenthood often starts with a home pregnancy test. A positive result can bring about a mix of excitement and nerves, along with a ton of questions. One of the most common questions is, "Should I get my doctor to confirm my home pregnancy test results?"
There are a variety of reasons to go straight to the doctor, regardless of the results of your home test. Most home pregnancy tests offer an impressive range of accuracy, but one of the only ways to be completely sure is to visit your doctor for a blood test or ultrasound.
Are home pregnancy tests always accurate?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question isn't a simple "yes" or "no." Over-the-counter medical technology has seen some impressive advancements over the years. Today, most home pregnancy tests boast 99% accuracy, with many claiming accurate results as early as the first day of a missed period. However, almost all home pregnancy tests need to be taken within a certain time range to ensure accuracy.
A home pregnancy test could display a false positive (or negative) if:
- You tested diluted urine. It's possible to test your urine at the wrong time, such as late in the day after drinking a lot of water. Urine is most concentrated first thing in the morning, which is the best time to test for pregnancy.
- You waited too long (or not long enough) to check the results. Many tests display a time range for results after testing. For example, a test might say to check the results after five minutes, but before fifteen minutes have passed. Checking too soon might result in a false negative, while checking too late could lead to an "evaporation line," which looks like a false positive.
- You took the test too soon. Some home tests advertise accuracy before you've missed a period. Unfortunately, this isn't always correct. For best results, wait to take a pregnancy test until you've missed a period by at least one day.
- You're on a medication that interferes with home tests. Because home pregnancy tests base their results on the presence of the hormone HCG (which is produced as the placenta forms), medications that encourage HCG production may create a false positive.
- You're experiencing a medical condition besides pregnancy. Some medical conditions, like menopause, thyroid disorders, and stress, can produce similar symptoms to pregnancy. Some conditions can also encourage your body to produce HCG, which can appear as a false positive on a pregnancy test.
When should a doctor double-check a home pregnancy test?
If you took a home pregnancy test and got a positive result, there's a very good chance you are, in fact, pregnant. However, there is such a thing as a false positive—and many new parents are better off turning to a trusted doctor for medical advice right away.
If your home pregnancy test is positive, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible if:
- Your medical history suggests it. If you have a history of miscarriages, difficulty conceiving, or conditions that affect your reproductive system, it's a good idea to get a doctor monitoring your pregnancy as soon as possible. This is to ensure both your safety and the safety of the baby.
- You've received mixed results. If you've taken multiple home tests and received a mix of positive and negative results, it's tough to know the truth without a trip to the doctor. Your doctor can use blood testings or ultrasounds to confirm the pregnancy one way or the other.
- You don't trust the test results. Multiple negative results, but you're experiencing pregnancy symptoms? Multiple positives, but you've started your period? Confusing home pregnancy test results can indicate a variety of things, from harmless hormonal changes to more serious medical conditions. When in doubt, it's best to ask your doctor.
- You're not experiencing any symptoms. If your pregnancy test was positive, but you're not feeling any of the symptoms of pregnancy, this doesn't mean you're 100% not pregnant. Many new parents don't feel symptoms of pregnancy for most of the first trimester (which is how many people can completely miss the fact that they're pregnant!). To be sure, visit your doctor, even if you aren't experiencing any symptoms.
- Or, your symptoms are severe. On the other hand, severe pregnancy symptoms, bleeding, morning sickness, headaches, or other aches and pains should be monitored as soon as possible by your trusted prenatal physician. While many symptoms related to pregnancy are just part of the process, super-severe symptoms can be a sign that something else is going on, like gestational diabetes or other pregnancy-related conditions. To ensure your pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible, it's best to get early advice from your doctor—this includes a confirmation of the pregnancy, to guarantee that your symptoms are related to pregnancy and not signs of some other condition.
All in all, the accuracy of home pregnancy tests today can be astounding. However, if you're looking for 100% certainty, one of the first things you should do after a positive pregnancy test result is to set up a doctor's visit.
Resources— One Medical, Mayo Clinic, Parents
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