Pregnancy Test Error?

Updated on February 03, 2008
J.S. asks from Ocala, FL
15 answers

Well, I have a 21 month old and I love every minute with him, and I'm just not willing to share any of the time that I have with him. I have had VERY irregular periods now for a few years and even went 5 months without a period a few years ago. Directly after having my son my period was regular for about 4 months, but then went to being 2-3 weeks late every time. I am breastfeeding and I don't know but I guess that maybe that is affecting it? Well, this month it has been two months since I've had a period and I am absolutely freaking out! So... I got a pregnance test, but I got the cheapest one that the grocery store had. It looked like there was a very faint second pink line but I wasn't positive so I had my husband get one of the digital tests that clearly says Pregnant or Not Pregnant. But..... stupidly.... I didn't have to go to the bathroom yet so I drank a full glass of water so that I could go. Well, the pregnancy test came up negative but now I'm worried that it could have been inaccurate because of the water that I drank. The box says "excessive amounts of water" could alter the test. Does one glass of water constitute "excessive?" I dont' know...do I have anything to be worried about? If not, why haven't I had my period? Help!!!

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So What Happened?

Well, first I wanted to thank everyone who responded! I love mamasource! I don't know how people ever did without sites like this, it helps so much to get all of the advice from other moms who have been there, and sometimes to just reassure me that I'm not the only one going through this stuff. But, I took another pregnancy test last night that was negative and then another one with my first urine this morning that was negative again. I'm 99% sure that I'm not pregnant. I think it's just the breastfeeding thing. I'm going to go to the doctor to get checked out and see what's going on to be sure though. Again, thank all of you for the EXCELLENT advice. :)

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S.T.

answers from Tampa on

From everything I've read/heard, a positive is a positive, but a negative may still be positive. In other words, there are very few false positives, but false negatives are more common. I'd go get another cheapie and see what it says. The cheap ones work the same way the expensive ones do, and even a very faint line means you're pregnant. Good luck!

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F.R.

answers from Pensacola on

The best time to test is the first pee of the morning. The hcg levels have a chance to build up overnight and you'll get the most accurate reading. You can get a false negative, but very rarely is there a false positive. Don't worry though. You'll be fine either way!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Lakeland on

Wait a few days and try again. Wal-mart carries a brand that is a 2 pack and it is cheap. If you are really nervous and are losing sleep, call your OB/GYN. Since you are breastfeeding I would like to warn you that you can get pregnant. If you and your husband are serious about waiting to have more children, I would highly suggest you use another form of birth control.

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M.H.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

Hi J.,

Breast feeding always affects your periods. Don't worry. You can test again if you absolutely have to know. Believe me, Love isn't divided with a second child, it's multiplied!

God bless!

M.

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C.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

I have a beautiful 16 month old girl that I have solely breast fed. Some moms told me they never had a period when they breast fed, I always had one but it was irregular. Well the doctors said it is natures natural birth control, but guess what I am now fixin to have ANOTHER child in March. They say your chances are slim to concieve but I am a prime example that it is possible. Your tests are probably right because breast feeding does make your female stuff off whack.

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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

One glass of water 8-10 ounces is a requirement and not considered excessive. It's probably the breastfeeding that is causing hormonal issues with your period. Why don't you just get another pregnancy test? This time make it a two-pack. Also check ebay, they have sellers that sell tests that can tell you if you're pregnant way earlier than the store bought one. You get 5 tests for about 10.00 and it measures the hcg levels in your urine. If all else fails why don't you just call your doctor?

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M.H.

answers from Washington DC on

If you were two months pregnant, there would be no question with the test. The faded second line only happens when you test really early, like before your first missed period. A glass of water isn't going to give you a negative test at two months! Do the morning test like the others have said and I'm sure you will be comfortable after that.

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N.H.

answers from Jacksonville on

Try getting one and using it first thing in the morning I got a "false" reading off one because I had been up and running around all day. If you use it first thing in the morning then the hormones that tell it if you are or not are strongest if it reads negative than most likely you aren't pregnant. You'd have to drink more like 10 glasses of water right before using it for it to be "excessive" so that one glass would not have made a difference. But if you aren't sure than try what I suggest I haven't had a period in a regular pattern yet and my daughter is now 2 and my son is almost 7 months.

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B.G.

answers from Ocala on

my first child i had a pregnacy test done at the er because i sprained my ankle and it came back negaitive i had just drank 32 ounces of fluids and not knowing any better. 2 weeks later i took another and it popped positive right away turns out i was pregnant when i had the xray. i'd get another test and do it firstthing in the morning. in my case i did a test at night right after work but before i had used the bathroom i hadn't been in 3-4 hrs. lets the hormones build up. the second i took the next morning. both popped positive.

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S.D.

answers from Orlando on

I would just retest with your first morning urine. That should answer the question. If you still can't tell, then wait a few days and recheck. Good luck!

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J.P.

answers from Orlando on

Could be nothing, could be something. I took eight pregnancy tests with my daughter and all said no, but I knew I was pregnant because I felt like poo and couldn't eat. Everything made me nausious.

Sometimes, its too early to detect. See your doctor in a week or so just to make sure.

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D.N.

answers from Tampa on

I bought the 2 pack at the drugstore or walmart i think and did one at night the first time, but it was faint, so I did another one in the morning and it was positive again (still sort of faint, but on the kind I used it said even if it was faint, it still counts as positive). But since you've gotten 2 different results, I would get another one and/or check at your doctor's office. My best-friend's first test said negative, but then she did another one and it was positive, but I don't think she used the first one correctly. Good luck!!! I hear ya on not being ready again yet, but if it's meant to be, it's meant to be and make the best!! :)

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L.W.

answers from Tampa on

According to my dotor they stated that there is never a false positive and drinking any water and then taking the test can alter it. The best time is first morning before you drink or do anything. How a test works is that it detects the amoutns of hormones in your urine. The hormone is more detectable the longer the urnine is in your system and the further along that you are. I am in Zephyrhills and have a extra test if you need it. Or look up a free testing place in the phone book to. Good Luck.

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K.W.

answers from Orlando on

False negatives are much more common that false positives. The best thing to do is go get another test, and wait until either your morning pee or at least you have to go without forcing it with fluids--you will then have your answer! Good luck!

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A.J.

answers from Fort Myers on

The difference could be in the hcg levels the test detects.. Some are more sensitive. The dollar store sells pg tests that are fairly sensitive. Id pick up a few of them. Rarely are there false positives, and i have always heard the rule a line is a line no matter how faint. Now it has to be read in the time frame or else the line could just be an evaporation line.. Good luck :)

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