What Factors Can Impact the Accuracy of a Home Pregnancy Test?

June 3, 2025

Though home pregnancy tests often purport to be 99% accurate, it’s crucial to remember that multiple factors can influence the results. If you’re wondering about pregnancy, ensure you have all the information needed to take a test and feel confident about the results.

Women’s Care Center will discuss the ins and outs of pregnancy testing, including improving your chances of getting an accurate result. Additionally, our licensed healthcare professionals offer complimentary urine lab-quality testing.

Schedule an appointment today to start getting clarity. In the meantime, continue reading to learn how multiple factors can influence a pregnancy test result.

Misreading the Directions

Each home pregnancy test kit has different instructions, and reading them carefully is critical. Sometimes, women may read those results too soon in the rush to get an answer. While the anticipation is understandable, this risks receiving an inaccurate result and basing future decisions on that information. 

Be sure to read all the instructions and take multiple tests if you need more clarification. These tests are available over the counter and at various price points. 

Taking the Test Too Early

It makes sense that you’d want a result as soon as possible. After all, your future might look uncertain right now, and receiving that initial answer can provide peace of mind. 

However, paying attention to that key pregnancy symptom is important—a missed period. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s best to wait to test until at least a day or two after a missed period. 

This time frame gives any hCG levels in your body time to build to detectable levels. This hormone is what tests use to detect a pregnancy, and testing too early could provide a false-negative result. 

Additionally, testing later in the day could result in a false-negative test. That’s because your urine is most concentrated right when you wake up, improving your chances of receiving a precise result.

Receiving a False-Positive Due to Miscarriage

Sometimes, women will receive that positive result and assume they’re pregnant. However, this is why it’s essential to have an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. 

When a woman has a miscarriage, it will take time for her body to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels. So, she may receive a false-positive result because she has experienced an early pregnancy loss, but hCG is still present. 

Other factors can lead to a false-positive, like taking certain fertility medication or experiencing problems with the ovaries. If you are unsure of your pregnancy testing results or simply want confirmation, visit Women’s Care Center to get answers you can trust.

No-Cost, Confidential Pregnancy Testing

Want to confirm an at-home result? Take advantage of urine lab-quality pregnancy testing performed by our licensed healthcare professionals. If your test is positive, we may offer a limited obstetrical ultrasound so you can be sure of key information. 

We’re here to help you find peace of mind. Schedule a complimentary, confidential appointment today.