Which is the most accurate pregnancy test while nursing?

Updated on December 07, 2010
C.S. asks from Coolidge, AZ
27 answers

Hi I am several days late on my period (I am on my 37th day) and feel a tad nauseous all though I am not receiving a positive on a home pregnancy test. I haven't had much stress or weight loss which normally messes with my period. I have also had dreams that I was pregnant. I am currently breastfeeding with an 8 month old, so maybe that is messing with my cycle although it hasn't thus far. Any thoughts??

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Summary

The most accurate pregnancy test while nursing is to go to your OB and have a pregnancy test there. They can check for different chemicals and hormones which indicate pregnancy that normal over the counter stuff can't detect. It is VERY common to have a FALSE NEGATIVE test but very rare to have a False Positive test. At your OB they can draw blood, check other chemicals in urine, and even do an internal ultra sound if you are far enough along to detect a heart beat.

So What Happened?

Thanks again for all your supportive answers!! I did have blood work done and I am not pregnant, so maybe nursing is messing with my cycle. I am still not starting a period and on day 41 or so... I feel incredibly healthy and I feel better knowing on a more advanced scientific level that I am not pregnant, since mother nature hasn't proven it to me otherwise. :) Thanks again for your support! C.

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S.M.

answers from Fort Collins on

Wait another week and take another at home test. With my first I got a negative reading and then a week later I got a positive so just wait a week and try again.

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N.M.

answers from Reno on

I took a pregnancy test that didn't read very clearly so I called the company. They informed me, and doctors have confirmed, that a test will NOT give a false positive, but can give a false negative reading. Good luck!

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A.M.

answers from Denver on

I was still breastfeeding when my second child was 6 months and I too had the "feeling" that I was pregnant. It took 5 tests over a two week period to finally get a positive.

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I.W.

answers from Phoenix on

your hormones may be acting up. first question (that you don't have to answer however, just food for thought) is: are you having unprotected sex? if so...well, you could be, of course! if you're not, it could be hormonal! sometimes i have skipped periods and panicked, but there was no pregnancy. if you really want to know for sure skip the home pregnancy test and go get bloodwork done at your doctor's office. you will know for sure the following day.
best of luck with whatever it is you're hoping the outcome to be!
:)

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L.A.

answers from Phoenix on

I would test in another couple of days....still no positive and still no AF, call your doctor. If you are pregnant and nursing you need to make sure you are getting proper care. Good luck!

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K.A.

answers from Las Vegas on

Since it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding and you are still not that late, I would say it's a definite possibility . I would take another test about two weeks after your missed period when the hormone concentrations should be high enough to show up on a home pregnancy test.

Sometimes though, we can "think" ourselves into pregnancy symptoms.

Good luck!

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T.T.

answers from Phoenix on

I hate to tell you, but that's exactly what happened to me.....and I WAS prego. I'd take a test with your doc to be sure. Who knows, it's worth being sure though. Not all home tests work 100% of the time. Good luck!

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T.R.

answers from Denver on

If the next test says negative- see a doc!! I am trying to get pregnant and completely missed my period one month. I was POSITIVE I was pregnant... I had dreams about it as well... bizarre!! It turned out to be a medical problem though... :-( I wish you luck though- If you are wanting to get pregnant- I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that thats what it is!!

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P.G.

answers from Grand Junction on

If you are worried about being pregnant I would go to your OB and have a pregnancy test there. They can check for different chemicals and hormones which indicate pregnancy that normal over the counter stuff can't detect. It is VERY common to have a FALSE NEGATIVE test but very rare to have a False Positive test. At your OB they can draw blood, check other chemicals in urine, and even do an internal ultra sound if you are far enough along to detect a heart beat. Nursing does mess with your cycle, but if you have had a regular period up to this point and were nursing the whole time I would bet there was something else going on. Good Luck!
Natalie

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A.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Breastfeeding makes your periods irregular even if you are not exclusively breastfeeding. I suggest maybe taking a blood test. I did get pregnant while breastfeeding when my son was 6 mos old but the breastfeeding make it hard to figure when I was actually late for my period.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

Ask your doctor to do a blood test to check. I never did have a positive urine test with this baby even though I'd never had a problem before. Seems the test was defective since it should have read numbers above 25 and mine were 12,000. At least then you know. It could just be nursing hormones, but nursing isn't birth control. It's better to know sooner so you can make sure both babies get the proper nutrition if you are pregnant. GL

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C.B.

answers from Denver on

C.,
Breastfeeding does mess with your cycle. I agree with what everyone else is saying. Wait a few days, try again, and if still nothing call the doctor.
C. B

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J.S.

answers from Santa Fe on

When I was pregnant with my son, it took 13 days to get a positive result. I nearly lost my mind waiting! You may want to get a blood test at your OB/GYN as those results show up faster than the home tests. Take care and keep us posted!

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A.R.

answers from Denver on

As a registered nurse I would encourage you to see your Dr. to verify that you are not pregnant. There may be another reason you are not starting and it's worth seeking the medical attention of your Dr.

Good luck!

A.

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C.R.

answers from Las Cruces on

Even though I was breastfeeding, I started having periods regularly when my son was 3 months old. When my son was about 6 mos. old, I didn't have a period for 3 mos. and I knew I wasn't pregnant. My OB/GYN had said that this is common when breastfeeding. However by the three month point, my hormones were really out of whack and causing severe depression, so they gave me some kind of hormone therapy to get my period back on track. Call your OB/GYN, if you haven't already to get her/his take on the situation.

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S.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Can you go get a blood test? That really may be the only way to check right away unless you are willing to wait a little while longer... I got a period (heavy, but didn't last nearly as long as usual) and had a negative sign when I tested after this unusual mensus. A week later I went in for a blood test, and it was positive. The breastfeeding might have somehting to do with it, but if you have been breastfeeding all along and have been having a period the last couple cycles, I would find it strange that it would stop now due to breast feeding. Try again in a week and see if your results have changed! =) In the mean time, make sure you are doing things right just in case you are pregnant again. Good luck. I hope the results are what you want them to be!

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R.H.

answers from Las Vegas on

C.,
Go see your doctor and get a blood test done. They're much more accurate and will be positive when a home pregnancy test is not. Good luck!

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T.J.

answers from Denver on

Breastfeeding can definately alter the regularity of your period so don't get the new crib yet :) However, I got pregnant with #2 while breastfeeding at 4 months postpartum so don't think it isn't possible!!! Home pregnancy tests don't always pick up the hormone levels early but it's also possible that you are just late. I'd suggest to hang in there another few days then take another one. Some dollar stores have pregnancy tests that DO work/are accurate (who would have guessed an inexpensive alternative to the norm...I think I went to Family Dollar) if you wanted to check every morning till you get an answer one way or another. Good luck!

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N.C.

answers from Tucson on

Well I think only time or actual blood work will be the only way to tell, but I thought I was pregnant all the time when I was breastfeeding but I never was. On the other hand I knew I was pregnant with my second and every test came back negative, even at the doctors. I ended up going in for blood work I was pregnant the hormones just were not very high yet. My second is so healthy and I think I must have just known the second I got pregnant. As a guess from my breastfeeding experience though I would say probably not.
Good luck and I think if you really want to know for sure go and get blood work!

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A.M.

answers from Denver on

Both times that I was pregnant and took the at home tests and I did not get a positive reading. After taking test after test I would keep getting a very faint second line (so faint that my husband couldn't even see it :), which the box said that usually meant it was negative. I would schedule an appointment with your regular doctor and have them give you a test.

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J.R.

answers from Phoenix on

C., It could go either way. Nursing can interrupt your cycle at any time. Give yourself a few more days and try another test.

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J.R.

answers from Denver on

I've heard that a faint line indicates positive. You can have negative results that are wrong - a false negative(meaning you are pregant when the test says you're not) but you can't get a false positive (indicating you are pregnant when you are not).

I agree with everyone, wait, retest, call your doctor.

Then let us know!

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E.F.

answers from Las Vegas on

Hey well i THINK that you should check with your OBGYN Dr - but it could also be that your body is going thru some changes now that you are 37 (I just turned 37) I have heard that our body does change - right after a baby is the most fertile time , it has only been 8 months so I would try your Dr for a test there - Sorry not much help just wanted to lend some support - Good luck !

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C.B.

answers from Denver on

You still could be pregnant! My mom showed negative with me and my sister. I am almost 23 and my baby sister is 3! There are only the two of us and never did my mom show positive. Some times women don't get those to read right. There aren't very many, but it does happen.

Breast feeding can alter it as well. I would just go to the doctor and get the test done, just to cover your bases and so you can prepare if you are. Good luck, I hope it works out in the best way for your family!

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W.V.

answers from San Antonio on

So I am experiencing something similar. I have one four-month old and am breastfeeding exclusively. I have not gotten my period back yet so I can't say that I am "late" or anything but my breasts are sore and swollen, I am emotional, my sense of smell has suddenly become stonger, I am salivating more (not the prettiest of pregnancy symptoms), I am exhausted, I go to the bathroom more frequently, and I seem to have "the glow". I am also having vivid dreams which I have only had when I was pregnant. I took two pregnancy tests a couple of weeks ago within a couple of days of each other and both read negative. However, I mentioned this to a friend who told me she had gotten pregnant within a few months after having her first child. She took seven at-home tests which all read negative, then suddenly got a positive. After going to the doctor, she learned that she was three months along! She was also breastfeeding exclusively. Though this is not common, I have read several women's posts who got did get false positives several times while breastfeeding before learning that they were pregnant. I am taking another test this afternoon since more symptoms seem to be developing.

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E.B.

answers from New York on

hi C.
i became pregnant with three of my children each time while i was exclusively nursing :)

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B.W.

answers from Denver on

Last year, I was breastfeeding my second daughter and taking the minipill so I didn't really have a consistent period. Then one day, I got really nauseous and started having dreams of being pregnant. I took a test and it came back inconclusive and repeated tests came back the same way. I ended up going down to the health department and they did a more accurate test, free of charge. It turns out I was 3 1/2 months along. Luckily, I was still taking my prenatal vitamins. Good luck!

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