Interpreting Home Pregnancy Test Results

Here are some important points to keep in mind when you're interpreting your test results:

• If you get a positive test result, you're probably pregnant. When errors occur during testing, they are most likely to result in false negatives.
• If your test comes back negative but your period still hasn't arrived a week later, test again. It's possible that you ovulated a few days later than usual during this particular cycle.
• If your test shows only a very faint positive, test again a few days later to see if your hormone levels have begun to increase.
• If your test is initially positive but a subsequent pregnancy test comes back negative, it's possible that you have experienced an early miscarriage.

By the way, don't make the mistake of assuming that there's no need to see your doctor or midwife now that you've managed to confirm your pregnancy via a home test. It's a good idea to start your prenatal care as soon as possible for the health of yourself and your baby. Besides, your healthcare provider may still want to confirm your pregnancy through a physical exam by checking for some of the physical signs of pregnancy (for example, a softening of the uterus and a change in the texture of the cervix) or perform a quantitative hCG blood test.

By the time this all happens, you'll have at least the first four weeks of pregnancy under your belt and you'll be ready to head into month two. The motherhood marathon has officially begun.