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Is the stick always right? Usually yes, but sometimes no. Learn about the rare reasons for a false-positive pregnancy test.<\/strong><\/p>\n A home pregnancy test has confirmed what you suspected \u2014 you\u2019re pregnant. Home pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. Their results are considered reliable, especially when you wait for at least a week after you miss your period to use one.<\/p>\n They\u2019re not foolproof, however. It is possible to get a positive result when you\u2019re not actually pregnant, which is called a false-positive. If you\u2019ve been looking forward to a positive pregnancy test result, a false-positive is disappointing. The good news is they\u2019re rare. The best thing to do when you\u2019ve gotten a positive result is to contact your doctor. A blood test will confirm that you\u2019re pregnant.<\/p>\n The four main causes that may lead to a false positive pregnancy test include a chemical pregnancy, a recent miscarriage, medication or a defective test. Read below to learn more about each of these scenarios.<\/p>\n A chemical pregnancy is a pregnancy, but an unhealthy one that results in an early miscarriage. A chemical pregnancy occurs when an egg has fertilized but doesn\u2019t attach to the uterus. Usually, you will have a heavy period soon after your period is normally due. It\u2019s estimated that 25-40 percent of pregnancies end as undetected miscarriages.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve had a baby recently or a miscarriage, you may test positive for pregnancy. When you\u2019re pregnant, hCG levels rise quickly and peak at about 10 weeks. When a pregnancy ends, the levels go down, but slowly. The hormone can remain in your blood and urine for up to six weeks after a pregnancy ends.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re undergoing fertility treatments to become pregnant, you may be getting hCG injections to stimulate ovulation. The medication can cause a false-positive result if you take the test too soon after a missed period.<\/p>\n Medications that may cause a false positive pregnancy:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n4 Causes of a False\u00a0Positive Pregnancy Test<\/h2>\n
Chemical pregnancy<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Recent miscarriage or birth<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n