While a home pregnancy test is incredibly accurate, there
may be a number of reasons that you want to repeat the test. Some of
the reasons include:
- You tested before your period was due and are uncertain of the results.
- You got results that don't match your physical symptoms.
- Medication you were taking may have interacted with the test.
- You didn't follow the instructions correctly.
- You simply want to take another test.
All of these are perfectly
valid reasons for repeating a pregnancy test, but what is the ideal time
frame between pregnancy tests?
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. The truth is, now
that pregnancy tests have become so inexpensive, many women will test
more frequently than is recommended in order to get an answer sooner.
"When
a pregnancy test is only a dollar and I have a closet full of them -
why wouldn't I test every morning? Sometimes I tested in the morning and
in the evening - I was more than a bit obsessed," remembers Sharon. "It
was not a pretty time, but I was determined. The first time I did this,
I started my period after twelve negative tests in about a week.
With my first baby, the one pregnancy
test I took was $20, this time it was $12. Let's just say, despite the
fact that cost wasn't really a factor anymore, I only took one test per
day for just under a week with my next baby. I started testing before my
period was due because I had to know. I don't know if those extra days
of negative tests were worth the emotional toll."
You may choose to test sooner, 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.
This can drive you insane. It may also 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. It is always a good idea to "act
pregnant" until you have proof that you are not pregnant.
Seek 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 also looking for the hormones hCG.
"My midwife was great at calming
me down when I was freaking out over the constant negative pregnancy
tests," says Jana. "I just felt pregnant. She gave me the confidence to
assume I was pregnant until I knew I wasn't. That sounds weird but it
was really helpful. And it turns out I was pregnant, I just ovulated
later than I thought!"
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.
Source:
Source: Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Gabbe, S, Niebyl, J, Simpson, JL. Fifth Edition.
