Pregnancy test error: probability and causes
Pregnancy test error: probability and causes

Video: Pregnancy test error: probability and causes

Video: Pregnancy test error: probability and causes
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Is a pregnancy test error possible in today's world? Couples planning to become parents often ask a similar question. Those who avoid pregnancy also have to be interested in the relevant topic. In this area, even 1-2 days play a huge role. For example, with a certain period of "interesting situation" abortion is done only for medical reasons. If pregnancy is diagnosed in a timely manner, such situations can be avoided.

Clearblue test
Clearblue test

Test types

The likelihood of a pregnancy test error often depends on several factors. Among them are:

  • strip strips;
  • tablet;
  • jet;
  • electronic.

All tests work in the same way. But can a pregnancy test be wrong? Reviews of such events are left by women quite often. And therefore it is worth noting that home diagnostics of pregnancy is not always accurate. The probability of errors is not high, but it is the place to be.

Test Accuracy

How often do tests fail onpregnancy? And why is it like this?

The thing is that the accuracy of modern pregnancy tests depends on several indicators. Namely from:

  • sensitivity (most devices have a sensitivity of 25 mMe);
  • its type;
  • check time;
  • diagnostic techniques.

In general, modern devices for home pregnancy diagnostics are 95-98% accurate. Especially if you follow the technique of obtaining the result.

The most common mistake is strip strips. On the day of delay, its accuracy is about 90%. Tablet devices offer to determine pregnancy from the first day of the absence of menstruation with a probability of 92-95%, jet - 95%, digital - 99%.

However, no one is safe from a pregnancy test error. To minimize the likelihood of a false result, it is recommended to understand the technique of conducting a home express pregnancy diagnosis.

Pregnancy with a negative test
Pregnancy with a negative test

Instruction: how to take the test

There is a chance of a pregnancy test error, but it is not too high - from 1 to 10%. This is quite normal, because at first even doctors can take a fetal egg without a heartbeat for a tumor or other neoplasm.

Here are the techniques for doing home pregnancy tests correctly:

  1. Unpack the strip. Collect some morning urine in a sterile container. Before that, it is recommended to wait 2-3 seconds. Let the very firsturine will drain a little. This will help avoid mistakes. Next, you need to lower the strip strip to the control value for 5-10 seconds in the collected urine and put the test on a flat, dry surface. The result can be assessed after a maximum of 10 minutes.
  2. The tablet pregnancy test is more accurate. It usually comes with everything you need for diagnostics. You need to collect urine in a container, and then draw it into a pipette. Drop on a specially designated area-window and wait. The indicator on the tablet will indicate pregnancy or its absence.
  3. Inkjet tests eliminate the need to collect urine. This greatly simplifies the entire diagnosis. It is enough to place the device with the receiving end under the stream of urine for a few seconds, and then place it on a dry, clean and even surface.
  4. Electronic tests are different. Most often they are used like inkjet or tablet. In some cases, the gestational age even appears on the screen of the device.

That's it: there will be minimal error in a pregnancy test if these instructions are followed. Especially if you do not diagnose before the delay of menstruation.

Main causes of false negative test

When is a pregnancy test wrong? This can happen under various circumstances. Moreover, a girl is able to face different diagnostic results on tests from different companies.

Pregnancy test result
Pregnancy test result

The most common false negatives occur when:

  • Wrong diagnosis of pregnancy;
  • check too early;
  • test expired;
  • Diagnostic device was stored incorrectly;
  • girl used stale urine;
  • HCG level due to individual characteristics of the body is too low;
  • pathologies revealed during pregnancy (threats of miscarriage, ectopic position);
  • taking diuretics or hormonal drugs.

Of course, do not forget that manufacturers of pregnancy tests offer different quality of their devices. The Clearblue test is notable for its accuracy. Devices from this manufacturer are used more and more often. Evitest is also happy.

Practice shows that a pregnancy test error occurs in cheap diagnostic devices. "BiShur" or "NauKnow" more often than others give a false pregnancy result. It is recommended to keep this in mind at all times, especially when choosing a pregnancy test manufacturer.

False positive rate

It's hard to believe, but the second line on the device for diagnosing pregnancy can also appear due to an error. Pregnancy tests are wrong. It is a fact. And therefore, doctors recommend not to test for the success of conceiving a baby until the delay in menstruation.

How to take a pregnancy test
How to take a pregnancy test

A false positive result on pregnancy tests occurs if:

  • woman undergoing fertility treatment;
  • Hormone withdrawal has occurred less than 10days ago;
  • girl has tumors or inflammation;
  • woman recently miscarried;
  • had an abortion some time ago.

As practice shows, a pregnancy test error causes a lot of trouble. You have to either repeat the diagnosis or refine it.

Weak streak - how to interpret

Some girls get a "ghost" on their respective device when checking. This is the second, but pale and weakly expressed, barely noticeable strip. How to interpret such a reading?

Of course, ideally it is recommended to repeat the diagnosis the next day. Another "ghost"? Then it is better for a woman to clarify the result or conduct another home check in a couple of days or contact a gynecologist who will be able to determine pregnancy with greater accuracy.

Most often "ghost" is a positive result. It can appear at:

  • low hCG;
  • early diagnosis of pregnancy;
  • pregnancy pathologies;
  • ectopic pregnancy.

False positive such a phenomenon can also be considered. As a rule, the second faint strip is just a reagent. Clearblue and Evitest tests are distinguished by their quality and their reagents rarely show up as a "ghost". This is good news.

Can a strip strip go wrong
Can a strip strip go wrong

Defective device

Can an electronic pregnancy test be wrong? Yes, but this happens very rarely. To flattenthe likelihood of errors to a minimum, a woman is recommended to be treated before planning a baby, and then follow the previously proposed instructions.

When is a pregnancy test wrong? This can happen if a girl bought a defective device. No one is immune from such situations, therefore it is recommended to purchase several tests from different manufacturers to accurately diagnose the "interesting situation".

Important: Defective devices show both false negatives and false positives.

Clarification if necessary

How often are pregnancy tests wrong? Modern home pregnancy diagnostic devices offer an accuracy of determining successful conception with a probability of 90-99% on the first day of a missed period. A few days before this, the test can show an accurate result, but this is a huge rarity. Why? The level of hCG before the delay of critical days is at very low levels. That is why it is better not to rush into diagnosis.

Dynamics of pregnancy tests
Dynamics of pregnancy tests

How to clarify the results of a pregnancy test? Girl can:

  • repeat the study in a few days;
  • donate blood for hCG;
  • go to the gynecologist;
  • do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs.

All this helps to determine pregnancy more likely than just a quick test done on time.

Important: on ultrasound, you can listen to the fetal heartbeat. This becomes possible around 5-6 weeks.pregnancy.

Advice for girls

Does a pregnancy test go wrong? Unfortunately yes. If you do not choose a device for diagnosing an "interesting position" and buy the cheapest one, you may encounter false readings.

Can a woman somehow minimize the chances of a pregnancy test error? Yes, but not 100%.

Is there a pregnancy
Is there a pregnancy

Here are tips to help you avoid false positives in home pregnancy testing:

  1. Carefully choose the manufacturer and type of pregnancy test.
  2. Check the expiration date of the pregnancy tester.
  3. Do not diagnose before missed period.
  4. Perform all manipulations with the dough according to the instructions.
  5. Do not drink a lot of water before the diagnosis and do not take diuretics.
  6. Repeat the check a couple of times at some interval.
  7. Do not use old urine for diagnosis.

All this really helps to cope with the task. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to diagnose pregnancy in the early stages. And so you have to use several methods at once to check the success of conception.

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